1957 Dodge Resources

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1957 Dodge Facts – Body Paint Color Mix Codes

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1957 Dodge

1957 Dodge Facts and Specifications

General Year Information – 1957 Dodge

The new Dodge models were totally restyled from the previous year and were very much a part of the “Forward Look” promoted by Chrysler. They rode on longer wheelbases than any previous year since 1952 and were longer, lower and wider than any previous Dodge. The headlights were now deeply recessed below large headlight “brows” and the grille featured a gull-wing shaped horizontal bar, which dipped in the center and surrounded a large Dodge crest. All models used a single horizontal chrome strip along the body side and chrome trim along the base of the large rear fender fins. Chrome trim surrounded the headlights and grille opening. “Dodge”, in block letters, was spaced along the front and the grille, directly below the chrome jet-styled hood ornament. While the new Dodges were beautiful to look at, quality control problems abounded, and Dodge sales suffered for the next few years.

Other changes included the addition of the Torsion-Aire Ride (torsion bar) front suspension and in D-500 and 501 models, heavy-duty suspension with heavy-duty shock absorbers and a heavy-duty leaf-sprung rear. In the September 1957 issue of Popular Mechanics, owners of both the Coronet six-cylinder and eight-cylinder were surveyed. Many complained that there were too many water leaks. When Popular Mechanics tested a V-8 Coronet for water resistance, water got into the engine and pooled in “two spark plug wells” which had to be siphoned out before the engine could run with all cylinders again. Many, however, did like the exterior styling and the ride comfort. Acceleration from 0-60 mph on 90 octane gasoline was 12.3 seconds.

The Standard Dodge engines were Polyspherical head 325 CID units of 245 and 260 HP, the former utilizing a 2-barrel Stromberg carburetor and the latter a Carter 4-barrel. Of course the L-Head I-6 was still available, delivering a trusty 138 ponies.

D-501
Also new for 1957 was the D-501, which replaced the D-500-1 from the year before as the top high performance Coronet. The D-501 received Chrysler’s 1956 300B 354 CID Hemi V8, that were actually leftover engines from the previous year’s production. They were upgraded with camshafts from the 1957 Chrysler 392 CID 300C engines were installed. A pair of Carter four-barrel carburetors fed the 10.0:1 compression ratio to produce 340 HP. A 3.73:1 rear axle was standard with the three-speed manual transmission and automatic cars received a 3.18:1 rear axle. There were 13 optional rear axles available, ranging from 2.92:1 through 6.17:1. The D-501 received 7.60 x 15 tires on 15 x 8-inch wheels. Brakes were 12-inch diameter drums. Only 101 D-501s were produced.

D-500
More popular was the D-500 model that received Dodge’s own Hemi, now stroked to 325 CID. It also received an upgraded camshaft, dual carter 4-barrel carburetors and made a healthy 310 HP. A standard version with only a single Carter 4-barrel carburetor was available and it made a healthy 285 HP. 17,1782 D-500 models were produced this year – its most successful run.

Historical
On a model year basis, 96.5 percent of all 1957 Dodge models had automatic transmission; 25.9 percent had power brakes; 2.2 percent power seats; 2.1 percent power windows; 53.7 percent radios; 15.1 percent dual exhausts and 93.4 percent V-8 engines.

1957 Dodge Facts – Dodge D-500 and D-501

While there were two “D-500” models offered in 1957, there was a vast difference in their configuration The stand D-500 was the street muscle and came in two flavors: 285 HP and 310 HP, with the only difference being single carburetor and dual carburetor setup. All else was the same. The D-501 was a race built car. First and foremost, the engine, while appearing very similar, was the 1956 354 CID Chrysler 300B engine. This was an entirely different block from the Dodge Hemi, with the 300B’s “high-speed” mechanical camshaft authorized in the previous year for track use. While rated at the 1956 street version’s 340 HP, this camshaft actually was rated at 355 HP in 1956. All components on the D-501 were upgraded to heavy duty parts, with some carried over from the 300B, for example, brakes, rear suspension, and shock absorbers.

Over 17 thousand D-500 models were built and only 101 D-501 versions. The D-501 had two missions:  Daytona Speed Trials victories and the USAC and NASCAR  championships for Dodge.  Unfortunately, the sanctioning bodies saw through this charade, and they were quickly outlawed.

Powerplant Differences –

1957 Dodge 340 HP D-501 Engine. V-8 overhead valves, Hemispherical combustion chambers. Cast Iron Block. Five main bearings.

Deck Height: 10.32 inches.
Bore Spacing: 4.5625 inches.
Displacement: 354 cubic inches. (Chrysler Block)
Bore and stroke: 3.94 x 3.63 inches.
Compression ratio: 10.0:1.
Horsepower: 340 @ 5200 R.P.M.
Torque: 385 foot-pounds at 3200 RPM.
Valve lifters: Mechanical.
Camshaft timing: Intake 284°, Exhaust 284°, Overlap 60°, Lift (Intake) 0.444″ (Exhaust) 0.435″.
Carburetors: 2 Carter 4-barrels WCFB #2534S (front) #2535S (rear).

1957 Dodge 310 HP D-500 V-8. Overhead valves, Hemispherical combustion chambers. Cast iron block. Five main bearings.

Deck Height: 10.38 inches.
Bore Spacing: 4.1875 inches.
Displacement: 315 cubic inches. (Dodge Block)
Bore and stroke: 3.69 x 3.80 inches.
Compression ratio: 9.25:1.
Horsepower: 310 @ 4800 RPM.
Torque: 350 @ 3200 RPM.
Valve lifters: Mechanical.
Camshaft timing: Intake 256°, Exhaust 256°, Overlap: 38°. Valve Lift: (Intake) 0.388″, (Exhaust) 0.388″.
Carburetor: 2 Carter 4-barrel WCFB #2633S (front), WCFB #2634S (rear).

1957 Dodge Facts – Significant Options

Prices where known

• • Airtemp air conditioning.
  • 285 HP D-500 V-8 ($72).
  • 310 HP D-500 V-8 ($125).
  • Electric clock.
  • Heater.
  • Highway Hi-Fi automatic record player.
  • Mopar radio.
  • Power brakes.
  • Power seats.
  • Power steering ($37).
  • Power windows.
  • Powerflite automatic transmission (Except D-500 and D-501).
  • Torqueflite automatic transmission ($220).
  • Turn signals.
  • White sidewall tires.
  • Windshield washers.