1959 Dodge Royal Lancer 2-Door Hardtop (more pics
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Only 6,278 two-door hardtops rolled off production lines in 1959, making this swept-wing Mopar one of Detroit’s rarer creations. Virgil Exner’s “Forward Look” styling featured sweeping fins that set the car in motion before the accelerator was even pressed, exemplifying the era’s jet-age optimism.
The Royal Lancer designation applied specifically to hardtop and convertible versions of Dodge’s mid-level Royal trim. Power came from a 326 cubic inch “Red Ram” V8 with a poly (semi-hemi) head design, producing around 255 horsepower with a four-barrel carburetor, or less with a two-barrel, paired with Chrysler’s innovative Torsion-Aire front suspension system.
The dramatic design featured massive tailfins extending from behind the doors, confident chrome eyebrows over headlights, and intricate jet-inspired grillwork. Wraparound windshields and jet-exhaust-styled taillights completed the space-age aesthetic that perfectly captured the period's technological enthusiasm and automotive excess.
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