1959 Dodge Custom Royal Lancer: If you ask any car lover what the greatest decade of automotive design was chances are the 1950s will take the crown almost every time. Giant fins, flashy chrome, bold colors, and design language that wasn’t afraid to dream big—the era was magic. But among all the Bel Airs, Thunderbirds and Cadillacs one stunning machine quietly slipped out of the spotlight.
Meet the 1959 Dodge Custom Royal Lancer—a car so breathtaking, so wildly over-styled and so unapologetically “1950s” that it feels criminal how many people have forgotten it even exists.
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Let’s bring this rolling masterpiece back into the conversation.
A Wallflower With Star Power
At first glance, the Custom Royal Lancer looks like it was sketched by someone who had unlimited chrome, fins, and imagination at their disposal. It wasn’t just a car—it was an American design flex during a time when Detroit was obsessed with outshining the future.
But while being part of the Dodge Coronet family the Custom Royal Lancer sat proudly at the top of the hierarchy. For those who desired Cadillac flair without Cadillac money, it was the premium Dodge.
Quick Highlight of the 1959 Custom Royal Lancer
- Top-spec trim of the Dodge Coronet lineup
- Offered with a thumping 383 V8
- Came as both 2 door and 4 door
- Famous for its dramatic fins and over-the-top chrome
- Loaded with quirky feature (swivel seats, foot-operated wipers!)
This car wasn’t just about looks—Dodge made sure it had personality too.
A Design Only the ‘50s Could Produce
By 1959, car design had gone completely wild—and Dodge was determined not to be left out. The Custom Royal Lancer got longer, shinier, and sharper. The fins stretched for days, the grille looked like a chrome fortress, and dual aerials added a futuristic touch.
Dodge attempted to muscle into Buick, Mercury, and even Chrysler territory. And while it didn’t have Cadillac prestige, it certainly had Cadillac presence.
Swivel seats.
Power steering.
Push-button automatic gearbox.
Air conditioning.
Six-way power adjustable seats.
For a Dodge, this thing was loaded.
What’s Under All That Flash?
Don’t let the beauty queen looks fool you—the Custom Royal Lancer backed up its flash with serious muscle.
Buyers could choose between:
- A 361 Super Red Ram V8 (305 hp)
- A 383 D 500 V8 (320 hp)
- The ultra rare Super D 500 dual-carb 383 (345 hp)
That last one? Fewer than 10 are believe to exist.
Good luck finding one.
All model came with a TorqueFlite 3-speed automatic and rode on a chassis shared with Plymouth, DeSoto, and Imperial. At over 217 inches long, it was nearly the size of today’s SUVs yet it could sprint to 60 mph in an estimated 7.5 seconds with the right engine.
Not bad for 1959.
Now the Bad News… Bring Your Wallet
If you’ve fallen in love already, brace yourself.
The Custom Royal Lancer isn’t the kind of car you casually pick up from Facebook Marketplace. Most good examples now go through auctions, and prices have climbed—sometimes shockingly high.
Especially the rare D-500 versions.
One Super D-500 example was bid to $155,000 back in 2016…and still didn’t sell.
Current valuations (according to Hagerty):
- Fair: $43,600
- Good: $66,400
- Excellent: $129,000
- Regards: $178,000
So yes—this “forgotten beauty” is no budget find. But with its nostalgic charm and unmistakable 1950s confidence many collectors would say it’s absolutely worth it.
Why This Car Shouldn’t Be Forgotten
The 1959 Dodge Custom Royal Lancer is the kind of car that turn head even while parked. It’s bold. It is well-known. It embodies everything that people adored and still adore—about the automobile world of the 1950s.
And most importantly?
It’s a reminder of the age when carmakers manufactured fantasies, not simply transportation.
If any car deserves a resurrection in the public eye, it’s this one.
FAQs
Q1. How rare is the Custom Royal Lancer today?
A: Standard models appear occasionally at auctions but the high-performance D-500 and Super D-500 models are extremely rare some version had production numbers under 10.
Q2. What makes the 1959 model special compared to earlier year?
A: The 59 variant had the boldest fins, most chrome the highest trim level and the most luxurious feature offered on the Coronet platform.
Q3. Is it expensive to restore one?
A: Absolutely Chrome work alone can cost a fortune, and rare trim pieces are notoriously hard to find. But restored examples can sell for six figures.
Q4. Is the 1959 Custom Royal Lancer a good investment?
A: For collector of 1950 American cars yes Hagerty valuations have consistently trended upward especially for high-spec models.
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