Dodge C Series
Encyclopedia
The C Series was a line of pickup truck
s sold by Chrysler
's Dodge
division from 1954 to 1960. It replaced the Dodge B Series
of trucks and was eventually supplanted by the Dodge D Series
, introduced in 1961.
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.
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 9000 lb (4,082.3 kg).
Engines (light-duty):
) through the 1975 model year, long after most of Dodge's other trucks had moved to the newer D Series designation.
Pickup truck
A pickup truck is a light motor vehicle with an open-top rear cargo area .-Definition:...
s sold by Chrysler
Chrysler
Chrysler Group LLC is a multinational automaker headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA. Chrysler was first organized as the Chrysler Corporation in 1925....
's Dodge
Dodge
Dodge is a United States-based brand of automobiles, minivans, and sport utility vehicles, manufactured and marketed by Chrysler Group LLC in more than 60 different countries and territories worldwide....
division from 1954 to 1960. It replaced the Dodge B Series
Dodge B Series
Chrysler's Dodge division has used the B Series name on two different vehicles, a pickup truck and a van.-Pickup truck:The B-series pickup trucks were sold from 1948-1953. They replaced the prewar Dodge Truck and were replaced by the Dodge C Series in 1954. The B Series trucks came in several...
of trucks and was eventually supplanted by the Dodge D Series
Dodge D Series
The D Series was a line of pickup trucks sold by the Dodge division of American automaker Chrysler from 1961-1980. After 1980, the trucks were renamed the Dodge Ram and the same basic design was retained until the 1994 introduction of a completely redesigned Ram...
, introduced in 1961.
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
PowerFlite
PowerFlite is a two-speed automatic transmission produced by the Chrysler Corporation and used in their passenger cars from 1954 to 1961. Production began in late 1953; despite the launch of Chrysler's three-speed TorqueFlite automatic in 1956, the simple and durable PowerFlite remained available...
" automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
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
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
, and a 12-volt electrical system.
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 9000 lb (4,082.3 kg).
Engines (light-duty):
- 1957-1960; FlatheadChrysler Flathead engineThe Chrysler Flathead engine is an automotive engine manufactured by the Chrysler Corporation.-Straight-4:Chrysler introduced a straight-4 derivative of their new Flathead straight-6 in 1926. Initially used by all Chrysler divisions, the straight-4 became Plymouth-only in 1929, lasting in...
I6, 120 hp - 1969; 241 in³ Red Ram V8, 133 hp
- 1959; 331 in³ FirePower V8, 172 hp
- 1957-1959; 315 in³ Red Ram V8, 204 hp
- 1959; 318 in³ A-type V8, 200 hp
Medium-Duty/Heavy-Duty C Series
Since it still utilized 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 SeriesDodge LCF Series
The Dodge LCF was a series of medium- and heavy-duty trucks built by Chrysler since 1960. They replaced the Dodge "Forward Look" range of cabover trucks built in the fifties. The 500 through 700-series were medium duty only, while 900 and 1000 series were reserved for heavy-duty versions. This...
) through the 1975 model year, long after most of Dodge's other trucks had moved to the newer D Series designation.