1954 Dodge Royal 500 Indy Pace Car
Selected to pace the Indianapolis 500 in 1954, the Dodge Royal 500 Pace Car Edition represented a significant milestone in the brand’s history. This marked the inaugural year for Dodge’s Royal line, which was positioned as a step above the Coronet models.
The official pace car appeared in distinctive Pace Car Yellow with Jewel Black accents and a matching interior, equipped with many available performance and comfort options.
Recognizing the marketing opportunity, Dodge produced approximately 701 replicas for public sale, each finished in the same color scheme and featuring special badging and trim to commemorate the event.
The Royal 500 came equipped with premium exterior appointments, including Kelsey-Hayes chrome wire wheels and a rear-mounted Continental kit spare tire. These features gave the convertible an upscale look that differentiated it from standard Royal models.
Under the hood sat a 241 cubic inch Red Ram Hemi V-8 engine producing 150 horsepower. The powerplant was equipped with a four-barrel carburetor, making it the first Dodge production car with this setup. A two-speed PowerFlite automatic transmission handled power delivery.
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