Dodge C series

The C series was a line of pickup trucks sold by Dodge from 1954 to 1960. It replaced the Dodge B series of trucks and was eventually supplanted by the Dodge D series, introduced in 1961.

Dodge C series
1957 C-100 Sweptside
Overview
ManufacturerChrysler Corporation
Production1954-1960
AssemblyWarren, Michigan, United States
Los Angeles, California, United States (until 1955)[1]
Body and chassis
ClassFull-size pickup truck
Body style2-door pickup
LayoutFR layout
Powertrain
Engine230 cu in (3.8 L) I6
315 cu in (5.2 L) V8
318 cu in (5.2 L) V8
331 cu in (5.4 L) V8
Transmission3-speed automatic
2-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase108 in (2,743 mm)
116 in (2,946 mm)
Chronology
PredecessorDodge B series
SuccessorDodge D series

Unlike the B series, which were closely related to Dodge's prewar trucks, the C series was a complete redesign. Dodge continued the "pilot house" tradition of high-visibility cabs with a wraparound windshield introduced in 1955. A two-speed "PowerFlite" automatic transmission was newly available that year.

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 proposed the Sweptside pickup, a rival to the Chevrolet Cameo Carrier, but it never became a best-seller.[2] A flat-sided (and thus wider) "Sweptline" cargo box came in 1959. 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. A traditional separate-fender body "Utiline" version was also built which had a GVWR of 9,000 lb (4,100 kg).

Engines (light-duty):

  • 1957-1960; Flathead I6, 120 hp (89 kW)
  • 1959; 331 in³ FirePower V8, 172 hp (128 kW)
  • 1957-1959; 315 in³ Red Ram V8, 204 hp (152 kW)
  • 1959; 318 in³ A-type V8, 200 hp (150 kW)
  • 1954–56 model
  • 1957 model (Sweptside pickup)
  • 1958–60 model

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.

References
  1. VIN classification
  2. "1957-1959 Dodge D100 Sweptside Pickup". HowStuffWorks. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
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