1955 & 1956 Dodge La Femme: The 1956 Dodges

Back to Home Page and Full List of Articles in Proper Order...

The '56 Dodge lineup bowed on Friday October 7, 1955, sporting dash-mounted pushbutton transmission controls; Dodge advertised them as "The Magic Touch of Tomorrow." Also featured were increased power, 12-volt electrical system, reshuffled chrome trim, and a facelift that centered on "high-sweep" fins sprouting from the rear fenders.

There were 14,633 Dodge Custom Royal Lancer Coupes made for 1956, and the La Femme was once again available as a very rare spring trim option.

Image credit

Once again, women were featured heavily in 1956 Dodge sales literature, pushing buttons, posing artfully in stylish garb, and never dirtying their fashionably-gloved fingers.

Image credit
1956 Dodge Custom Royal Lancer 4-door Hardtop

The model lineup was strengthened with the addition of three four-door Lancer hard-tops, but the La Femme option was not listed (yet).

Nonetheless, a news release dated October 4, 1955, indicated Dodge's intentions:

"The enthusiastic reception of the 1955 Dodge La Femme by women motorists everywhere has led to a successor model for 1956. This glamorous Custom Royal Lancer, soon to be named, will be specially appointed with colors, interiors, and accessories styled for the woman of today."

Image credit

The new push-button transmission controller would last until 1964 on all Chrysler products. During that time, it would prove to be entirely dependable. So, why did it end? Multiple manufacturers had automatic transmissions, with very different controls, confusing drivers. After enough of them drove through garage walls while trying to back up, the "PRNDL" shift levers became standard by law, starting in in 1965.

1956 Engines

Type - OHV 90-degree, Laterally inclined V-8, Hemispherical head

Standard engine - Super Red Ram V-8 (Hemi)
Exhaust - Single
Carburetor - Stromberg model WW3-120
Heads - Hemispherical
Displacement - 270 cu. in.
BHP @ RPM - 183 @ 4,400
Bore x Stroke - 3.63 x 3.256
Compression ratio - 7.6 to 1
Torque @ RPM - 245-lb. ft. @ 2,400 RPM

Optional Engine - Super-powered Super Red Ram V-8 (Hemi)
Exhaust - Dual
Carburetor - Carter 4-bbl. model WCFB-2253S
Heads - Hemispherical
Displacement - 270 cu. in.
BHP @ RPM - 193 @ 4,400
Bore x Stroke - 3.63 x 3.25.
Compression ratio - 7.6 to 1
Torque @ RPM - 245-lb. ft. @ 2,800 RPM
Exhaust - Dual
Carburetor - Carter 4-bbl. model WCFB-2253S
Cylinders - Cast iron
Piston Material - Aluminum alloy, tin plated
Piston numbering
Left bank - 1-3-5-7
Right bank - 2-4-6-8
Firing order - 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2

Idling speed (neutral) - 450-500

The D-500 Engine

Of course, in the mid-Fifties a buyer was able to choose from a wide choice of power and luxury options. For example, a "hot-rod" La Femme could be specified by ordering the D-500 power package, which consisted of the newly enlarged 315-cubic-inch hemi-head V-8 with 260 horsepower and lowered suspension.

Image credit
1956 La Femme (shown below) with the D-500 Hemi Engine option

Image credit
This insignia on the hood and trunk indicated that your 1956 Dodge had the D-500 engine.
Image credit
This '56 La Femme proudly wears its D-500 insignia on its front.
Image credit
This 1956 Dodge was a lot more likely to have the D-500, because it was a two-door sedan — the lightest available body-style for those looking to race their cars, and maybe smuggle some moonshine across state lines.