Dodge · 1957–1961

1958 Dodge

The Dodge lineup was refreshed for the 1958 model year, continuing the three-line scheme of the 1955 Dodges with the entry-level Coronet, Royal, and ornate Custom Royal. The Regal Lancer was added as a new top-of-the-line model in spring.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: 1955 Dodge

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Overview

The 1958 Dodges shared their basic mechanicals with the De Soto, but featured special styling. The Coronet lasted through the 1959 model years.

Coronet

The Coronet was the base model. This was the only line to feature the 230 in3 (3.8 L) Getaway I6 with 123 hp (92 kW), but the 325 in3 (5.3 L) Red Ram (2bbl)/Super Red Ram (4bbl) V8 was an option. Coronets may typically be identified by a script mounted at the trailing edge of the belt-line stainless steel trim strip and a plain "up-sweep" molding of the rear fin trim, where both Royal and Custom Royal had a "dipping" element to the up-sweep trim. Fin cap inserts were painted with a horizontally ribbed pattern. Body styles offered were club sedan, sedan, two-door hardtop (Lancer), four-door hardtop (Lancer), and two-door convertible (Lancer). Lancers were further identified by a lance and shield emblem on each fin.

Royal

The Royal were the next step up. They used only the V8 engine. Identifying exterior characteristics include Royal script at the trailing edge of the belt-line molding, a pronounced "check-mark" at the rear up-sweep of the fin, chrome Dodge block letters on the front of the hood, chrome Dodge script on the passenger side of the trunk, and hood ornaments as standard equipment. Fin cap inserts were anodized with a horizontally ribbed pattern. Body styles offered were sedan, two-door hardtop (Lancer), and four-door hardtop (Lancer). Lancers were further identified by a lance and shield emblem on each fin.

Custom Royal

The flagship model was the Custom Royal. It came with the 350 in3 (5.7 L) Ram Fire V8 with a standard two-barrel carburetor, but the optional four-barrel carburetor delivered 300 hp (224 kW). A feature of the Custom Royal was its bumper-mounted exhaust ports which were only available on the Royal and Coronet models as part of the D-500 options. Identifying exterior characteristics include Custom Royal script at the trailing edge of the belt-line molding, the pronounced check-mark, gold anodized Dodge block letters on the hood, and gold anodized Dodge script on the passenger side of the trunk. Fin cap inserts were anodized and had a unique rectangular pattern. All Custom Royals included a stainless molding above the bumper, on the flat edge below the trunk opening. Body styles offered were sedan, two-door hardtop (Lancer), four-door hardtop (Lancer), and two-door convertible (Lancer). Lancers were further identified by a lance and shield emblem on each fin.

Spring Specials

To combat the recession of 1958, the Chrysler Corporation developed a program of spring specials to present a mid-year trim change on most of its makes. The factory-produced spring specials for Dodge included a new wide, full-length belt line molding, grille emblem, fin end-caps, and a wide license plate escutcheon. The Chrysler Corporation also shipped out all of these trim items individually to dealers so the dealers could "freshen up" the cars sitting on their lots. Dealer-installed spring specials often include some elements of the factory spring special trim, but not always all. New exterior colors introduced for spring were Poppy Red, Frosted Turquoise, and Paris Rose. Unrelated to spring specials, Dodge changed the headlight trim midway through the production run. Later cars have a wide lower edge to the headlight trim while early cars have a thin lower edge.

Regal Lancer

Trying to boost sales, the Regal Lancer model was added in February and only available as a two-door hardtop with special colors, exterior trim and interior. Four color combinations were available: bronze with white trim, bronze with black trim, black with bronze trim, and white with bronze trim. It featured special nameplates at the front of the side spear trim and heavy eyebrow trim. Inside, Regal Lancers got their own interior with unique trim and door panels featuring molded armrests. A bronze instrument panel with textured aluminum inserts was a Regal Lancer exclusive. The standard engine offered for Regal Lancers was the 350 cubic inch displacement "Ram Fire" V8. Optional engine choices were the 361 cubic inch displacement D-500 and Super D-500 iterations. Only 1,163 were produced.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name: 1958 Dodge
aka: Dodge Coronet, Dodge D-500, Dodge Royal, Dodge Royal Lancer, Dodge Custom Royal, Dodge Custom Royal Lancer, Dodge Regal Lancer
Manufacturer: Dodge (Chrysler)
Layout: FR layout
Production: 1957–1961
Model years: 1958–1961
Predecessor: 1955 Dodge
Transmission: 2-speed automatic, 3-speed automatic
Class: Mid-size
Body style: 2-door coupe, 4-door sedan, 2-door hardtop coupe, 2-door wagon, 4-door wagon, 2-door convertible
Engine: 230 in3 (3.8 L) Getaway I6, 325 in3 (5.3 L)Red Ram V8 , 350 in3 (5.7 L) Super Red Ram V8 , 361 in3 (5.9 L) D-500 V8 , 361 in3 (5.9 L) Super D-500 V8

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q98094577CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1958_DodgeCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1352101995 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Regal_Lancer2.jpgPublic domain · Photo: Thord Liljekvist · retrieved 2026-10-01
Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.