Dodge was celebrating its 40th anniversary when this 1954 Dodge Royal was built, and they did it in the best way possible: with a Hemi V8. No, it's not a show car but it's certainly eye-catching in bright yellow livery with a traditional white top. Most of the brightwork is stainless steel, so it's easy to keep it in top shape with just a little polishing, while the chrome bumpers were restored just a few year ago. Correct emblems are still in place, advertising that this car does carry a V8. Dodge's all-new "Red Ram" V8 displaced 241 cubic inches, not a lot by today's standards but a significant step up over the flathead six used in lesser cars. The Hemi was called the "double rocker" at the time, indicating the complex valvetrain arrangement that's endemic of the design, and it lends the little V8 impeccable smoothness and a willingness to rev that's very endearing. There's a two-barrel carburetor on top of the original intake manifold and correct silver engine enamel makes it look right. You'll note the engine bay was painted with the rest of the car, so you know it was no cut-rate job and details like the rebuild generator, a new wiring harness from YNZ's Yesterday's Parts, air cleaner, and even the windshield washer bottle are just as they were in 1954. The electrical system is still 6-volt, but the starter kicks the engine over with vigor and it always starts easily, hot or cold. Lots of documentation accompanies this neat little Royal, including an owner's manual, radio guide, some period advertising brochures, and a few parts catalogs, just in case.

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