c.1954 Dodge Kingsway Crusader Sedan
Sold: $1,000
Specifications
| Engine | In-line 6-cylinder, 230-cid |
|---|---|
| Gearbox | 3-Speed Manual |
| Body Work | Sedan |
| Colour | Pinkish Red |
| Interior | Red |
| Trim | Vinyl |
| Wheels | Steel disc |
| Brakes | Drums |
Description
In the early post-war years, the big three American auto manufacturers - Ford, General Motors and Chrysler - were all represented in the Australian market with locally assembled models often quite different to their Stateside namesakes. The Dodge Kingsway is a good example, comprising a Canadian-sourced flathead six-cylinder engine with styling that was a mixture of the 1953 Plymouth, a uniquely Australian grille and rear wings that grew in line with American trends through the 1950s. The bodywork was built by T.J.Richards in Adelaide in order to satisfy the local content rules of the time and the Dodge Kingsway was marketed alongside virtually identical cars from DeSoto and Plymouth. The range for 1956 consisted of three Kingsway models - the Custom D49/2, the Crusader D49/3 and the Coronet D49/4 - with a choice of three-speed manual or an optional PowerFlite fully automatic transmission.