| For
1959, the D500 engine grew to bigger proportions. Performance was
enhanced accordingly. The new power plant displaced 383 cubic inches, an
engine that would carve wounds into victims on drag strips and into
sales charts for over a decade to come. In standard D500 form with
a single four barrel carburetor it
cranked out an impressive 320 hp @ 4600 rpm and torque of 420 @ 2800
rpm. The Super D500 option had two four barrels (Carter 2790 and
2791) and made 345 hp @ 5000 rpm, with torque of 420 @
3600 rpm. Actually the Super D500 was the De Soto Adventurer engine,
rated 5 hp less so as not to make the De Soto executives cranky. The
D500 weighed in at about 3600 lbs, some 600 lbs less than a 300E with
only 35 less horsepower. The price, of course, was substantially less.
The Super D500 would easily match or beat the 300E's acceleration
times.
New for 1959 were swivel bucket
seats and a nice facelift on the body. The big Dodges rode a full frame
with a 122 inch wheelbase. I know, I have one. It barely fits in the
garage. The D500 emblem was moved to the tailfin. This was also the last
year for the Custom Royal model and soaring fins. MoPar enthusiasts
usually group the 1957-1959 models together as the most desirable.
Unfortunately, there are no records that indicate how many Dodges were
equipped with the D500 option. Today, they are very desirable and very
collectible. |
