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The Dodge La Femme is a unique '50s classic marketed exclusively at women.
The Dodge La Femme was aimed at the 1950s woman, a car that was promoted as bringing together "luxurious, delicately-toned interiors and ultra fashionable appointments." It may have experienced a slump in sales, but it certainly reflects its own distinctive style. It is one of those beautiful and extremely rare Dodge vehicles many people don't know about.
The 1955 La Femme offered not only exquisite ride quality, but also its own accessories such as a purse with its own lipstick case and comb, an umbrella, and rain gear. Some beautiful classics have emerged from the 1950s. The La Femme is not only a beautiful car but also quite a collectible. Let's take a closer look at the Dodge La Femme.
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Welcome to the 1950s. It was a changing time for Chrysler. Virgil Exner, the innovative car designer, joined the company. His genius is seen when you look back at the 1965 Mercer Cobra Roadster Concept. Just check out the awesomeness of the 1957 Chrysler 300C.
But then we also welcome the Red Ram Hemi. This V8 was going to make the classic Dodge ride into one we would never forget. But with a changing decade, also came a changing style. Bring on the Dodge La Femme, having its own distinctive style – a classiness that came with its own unique twist.RELATED: Imagine Having This 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air As Your Daily Driver
The Dodge La Femme was aimed at women. One advertisement at the time read "first and only car designed for Your Majesty, the modern American woman."
The fifties in the automotive industry were certainly a time of astute marketing. In the mid-fifties, Exner was promoting his "Forward Look" cars. It was a time of bold, fresh designs. The Dodge La Femme reflects this growing trend.
The Dodge La Femme took its inspiration from the Le Comte and the La Comtesse. The black and bronze Le Comte and the pink and gray La Comtesse were his-and-her cars.
The Le Comete was considered the more masculine car. But without the paint, there was no reported difference between the two.
The 1955 Dodge La Femme is quite stunning to look at. It had the 'Sapphire White' and 'Heather Rose' paint job. It flaunted its distinctive badge to mark it a 'La Femme'.
Its twin grilles and distinctive yet unmissable pointed nose, with those headlamps, looking wide-awake and alert, give the Dodge La Femme its presence.
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Browse inside the car, and you are transported to a fifties' world of enchantment. The dash complimented the car's color palette, along with the rest of the interior.
With pink vinyl trim, the 'rosebud' fabric of the seats matches the aesthetic of the door panels. But its interior was not its only enticement.
When you bought a Dodge La Femme, you were also given some accessories. It was a personal touch tailored to the car's female target market.
Accessories included a coat, an umbrella, a rain hat, and we can't forget the purse. At the rear of the seat, there was a place to store the purse, along with a compartment for the umbrella and other rain gear. With the purse came a comb, lipstick case, cigarette lighter, cigarette case, and face-powder compact.
The '56 Dodge La Femme received its own distinctive revamp. It was given a Mist Orchard and Regal Orchid makeover.
The interior complimented the La Femme's exterior. The purse was not offered with the 1956 edition, but the rain gear, including the umbrella, was still included.
The 1955 Dodge La Femme was powered by a Super Red Ram Hemi V8 engine. It pumped out 183 hp at 4,400 rpm.
It was also offered with a Super Red Ram Hemi V8, matched with a four-barrel carburetor, that cranked out 193 horsepower.RELATED: Mopar Madness: A 1970s Dodge Charger, Super Bee, and Challenger Are Spectacular Barn Finds
The La Femme was a unique package for the time, but it never seemed to resonate with the 1950s market. This is reflected in its low sales.
So, decisions had to be made. They had tried a makeover for the '56 model, but that was not enough. After that, the Dodge La Femme was not offered again.RELATED: 10 Of The Worst-Selling Cars Ever Made
With only about 1,500 Dodge La Femme cars sold, it makes this one very collectible ride. Not to mention, it is one of the rarest cars made by Dodge.
The Dodge La Femme was a car of its time. Targeted at the 1950s woman, the La Femme offered not only a fashionable ride but also an experience.
DeLorenzo, Matt (2014). Dodge 100 Years. Motorbooks; Spiro, Don (Nov/Dec 2001). "La Femme: The Rare And Not-As-Provocative-As-Hoped-For 1955 Dodge La Femme." Special Interest Autos 186.
Joshua Irvine is a writer, researcher and historian. His interests include the history of the automobile industry, including the history of cars in pop culture and cinema. He holds a Bachelor of Social Science degree and a Bachelor of Arts degree in history.