1955 Dodge Custom Royal Lancer Two-Door Hardtop

This 1955 Dodge Custom Royal Lancer two-door hardtop coupe has been in the Reno, Nevada, area since at least the early 1990s. The previous owner bought the car out of the reported original owner’s estate in 1997 and subsequently had a refurbishment conducted by Adams Custom Engines of Sparks, Nevada. Powered by a 270ci Super Red Ram V8 linked with a PowerFlite two-speed automatic transmission, the vehicle is finished in Satin Green and Chiffon Green with a Sapphire White roof over patterned green cloth and white vinyl upholstery. Equipment includes 15″ wire wheels, whitewall tires, power-assisted brakes, power steering, a power-adjustable front bench seat, seatbelts, and a Bluetooth-capable radio as well as an Edelbrock intake manifold, an Edelbrock carburetor, a one-wire alternator, and a dual exhaust system. Work performed in preparation for the sale involved converting the braking system to front discs, overhauling the ignition and steering systems, servicing the transmission, rebuilding the carburetor, recoring the radiator, and replacing the distributor, ignition coil, fuel pump, belts, hoses, thermostat, and tires.

The Dodge lineup was restyled by Virgil Exner for 1955, and models were 6″ longer than the previous year’s. The Lancer nameplate was introduced for the model year on hardtop coupes, hardtop sedans, and convertibles. This car is said to have been repainted in three-tone Satin Green and Chiffon Green with a Sapphire White roof in 1996. The front grille bars have six vertical fins and are finished in chrome, as are the front and rear bumpers, the headlight and taillight surrounds, the pointed tail-fin ornamentation, and other trim; the chrome parts were replated in 1997, and the weatherstripping was replaced.

Gold-plated V8 emblems are found on both quarter panels, and the fenders bear Royal Lancer badging. Additional equipment includes fender-mounted side mirrors, a cowl vent, front vent windows, round taillights, reverse lights, and dual chrome-tipped exhaust outlets.

Chrome-plated 15″ wire wheels are mounted with 7.10–R15 Coker Classic bias-look radial tires that were replaced in September 2026. The rear drum brakes were adjusted under current ownership, and the brake lines and the front wheel bearings were replaced.

The cabin houses split front and rear bench seating that was reupholstered in patterned green cloth and white vinyl in 1997. Color-coordinated door panels are fitted, while green carpeting lines the floors. The AM radio has been modified for Bluetooth compatibility. Additional equipment includes power-adjustable front seats, bright trim, a dash-mounted shifter, a heater/defroster, courtesy lighting, sun visors, front lap belts, and bright doorsill plates.