Dodge C series

History

The early models continued the naming convention of the predecessor - 1954 ½ ton trucks were named C-1-B, ¾-ton trucks C-1-C and 1 ton trucks C-1-D, whilst the 1955 models were named C-3 and 1956 C-4.

Chrysler called the Hemi-powered Dodge trucks "Power Giant" in 1957, and introduced power steering and brakes, a three-speed automatic, and a 12-volt electrical system. From 1957 to 1959, Dodge offered the Sweptside pickup, a rival to the Chevrolet Cameo Carrier, but it never became a bestseller. A flat-sided (and thus wider) "Sweptline" cargo box came in 1959. In 1957, the company also adopted the standard pickup truck numbering scheme, also used by Ford and GM at that time. Thus, the ½ ton Dodge was now called the D100, the ¾ ton D200 and 1 ton model D300. The traditional separate-fender body "Utiline" version remained available, with a GVWR of up to 9000 lb on 1-ton models.

After an agreement between Dodge and Studebaker, the C-Series' pickup bed also saw use in the Studebaker Champ pickup truck range.

1954-55 Dodge C-Series.jpg|1954–1956 model 1957 Dodge Sweptside Pickup.jpg|1957 model (Sweptside pickup) 1960 Dodge Sweptline half ton (2906406858).jpg|1958–1960 model

Four-wheel-drive W-Series Power Wagons

Starting in the 1957 model year, factory four-wheel-drive versions of the Dodge C series trucks were produced and sold as the W-100, W-200, W-300, and W-500, alongside the older WDX/WM-300 "Military Style" Power Wagon. The latter had the "Power Wagon" badge on the fender. The heavy-duty four-wheel-drive W-300 and W-500 trucks were marketed as "Power Giants".

Engines

• 1957–1960: 230 cuin Flathead I6, 120 hp
• 1959: 331 cuin FirePower V8, 172 hp
• 1957–1959: 315 cuin Red Ram V8, 204 hp
• 1959: 318 cuin A-type V8, 200 hp

Medium-duty/heavy-duty C series

Main article: Dodge LCF series

Since it still used the older cab design, the C series name was continued for Dodge's line of medium- and heavy-duty trucks (better known as the LCF series) through the 1975 model year, long after most of Dodge's other trucks had moved to the newer D series designation.

Four Wheel Drive also utilized the C series cabs for many of its medium- and heavy-duty trucks. Because Chrysler needed plant capacity for its newer light-duty truck models, manufacture of these later C series cabs — for both Dodge and FWD — was outsourced to Checker in Kalamazoo, MI, beginning in 1962.

References

References

1. [http://www.townwagon.com/sites/tw/years/vinnumberpage.htm VIN classification]
2. "1956 Dodge C-4-B 1/2 Ton {{!}} Hagerty Valuation Tools".
3. "1957-1959 Dodge D100 Sweptside Pickup". HowStuffWorks.
4. "1957 Dodge D100 1/2 Ton {{!}} Hagerty Valuation Tools".
5. Niedermeyer, Paul. (29 March 2018). "Cohort Outtake: 1963 Studebaker Champ – The Most Ill-Fitting Bed Ever". Curbside Classic.
6. Foster, Pat. "A look at Studebaker’s last trucks, 1960-'64".
7. Dixon, Russ. "Cobbled Carrier: 1964 Studebaker Champ".
8. Ackerson, Robert C. Standard Catalog of 4 X 4's: A Comprehensive Guide to Four-wheel Drive Vehicles Including Trucks, Vans and Sports Sedans and Sport Utility Vehicles, 1945-1993. United States: Krause Publications, 1993.
9. Petroleum Week. United States: McGraw-Hill Publishing Company, Incorporated, 1958. advertisement: "De Soto and Fargo four-wheel drive models combine all the features of a conventional two-wheel-drive. Available in Body styles, a chassis-cab, chassis-cowl, or the famous military-type Power-Wagon ( W-300M ) are now available ."
10. (24 February 2017). "Checker and the Dodge C-series Truck Cab". Internet Checker Taxicab Archive (ICTA).