The Dodge Custom is a full-size car which was produced by

Dodge Dodge is an American brand of automobiles and a division of Stellantis, based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Dodge vehicles have historically included performance cars, and for much of its existence Dodge was Chrysler's mid-priced brand above P ...

in the United States from 1946 to early 1949, and was also called the DeLuxe in a more basic trim package. Dodge was very fluid with model nameplates and during the 1930s updated them yearly based on marketing objectives, while the actual vehicle was largely unchanged for what became known as the "Senior Dodge's" that were available with shorter "Junior Dodges" that were essentially badge engineered Plymouth models during this time period.

Series D11/D14/D17/D19/D22

The Dodge Luxury Liner Series D11 was introduced with similar Chrysler bodywork shared with DeSoto and Chrysler branded vehicles, and was introduced during Dodge's 25 anniversary October 1938 for the 1939 model year. The Series D11 was further defined as the Special and the DeLuxe, offering a total of ten body style choices of coupes, sedans and extended wheelbase, seven passenger sedans. For 1940 the Luxury Liner was split into the Series D14 Luxury Liner Deluxe and the Series D17 Luxury Liner Special. For 1941, the Custom and Deluxe nameplates were introduced for the Series D19, a tradition that lasted for the next 10 years. File:Dodge D11 Luxury Liner 4-Door Sedan 1939.jpg, 1939 Dodge Series D11 Luxury Liner Deluxe sedan File:1940 Dodge D-14 Coupe (29482075285).jpg, 1940 Dodge Series D14 Luxury Liner Deluxe coupe File:1941 Dodge Luxury Liner (49892590276).jpg, 1941 Dodge Series D19 Deluxe sedan File:Goodwood Breakfast Club - 1942 Dodge - Flickr - exfordy.jpg, 1942 Dodge Series D22 Custom Club Coupe

Custom

The D24 was introduced in 1946, as the top trim level in the Dodge range (bigger than Plymouth's counterparts Dodge D25).John Gunnell, Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946–1975, Revised 4th Edition, pages 327 to 329 It differed from the basic Deluxe model only in terms of interior trim, seats, dual electric windshield wipers and chrome exterior beading around the windows. The Custom was offered in 4-door 6 passenger Sedan, 4-door 6 passenger Town Sedan, 4-door 7 passenger Sedan, 2-door Club Coupe and 2-door Convertible models. The 7 Passenger model rode on a 137.5 inch (3492.5 mm) wheelbase and all other models on 119.5 inches (3035.3 mm). All models were powered by a 230 cid inline six cylinder engine. A three-speed manual transmission was standard whilst a "Fluid Drive" option provided "no metal-to metal contact between the power source and drive". Changes for the 1947 and 1948 model years were minimal. From 1 December 1949 all units were considered 1949 models for registration purposes. The actual 1949 Dodge range was introduced in April 1949, with the Coronet name now used for the top trim level. Dodge D24 shared consumers with Pontiac Streamliner, Oldsmobile Series 66, Studebaker Champion, Hudson Commodore and Nash Ambassador.

DeLuxe

The DeLuxe was introduced in 1946 as the lowest trim level in the Dodge D-24 range.John Gunnell, Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946–1975, Revised 4th Edition, pages 327 to 329 It differed from the top trim level Custom in terms of interior trim and seats and it lacked the dual electric windshield wipers and chrome exterior beading around the windows fitted to the Custom. The Deluxe was offered in 2-door Sedan, 4-door Sedan and 2-door Coupe models. It rode on a 119.5 inch wheelbase and was powered by a 230 cid inline six cylinder engine. A three-speed manual transmission was standard whilst a "Fluid Drive" option provided "no metal-to metal contact between the power source and drive". It used Petrol Gasoline as standard fueling. Changes for the 1947 and 1948 model years were minimal and from 1 December 1949 all units were considered 1949 models for registration purposes. The actual 1949 Dodge range was introduced in April 1949, with the Meadowbrook name now used for the lowest trim level full size model.

Canada

In Canada, the Dodge Deluxe (and Special Deluxe) were used for 1942 and then from 1946 until 1950 for the lowest-priced, Plymouth-based models. They corresponded largely to the

Plymouth Deluxe The Plymouth De Luxe and Special De Luxe were full-sized automobiles which were produced by American manufacturer Plymouth Plymouth () is a port city and unitary authority in South West England. It is located on the south coast of Devon, ap ...

, with some Dodge trim pieces. File:Dodge Custom dutch licence registration AL-62-64-.JPG, 1947 Dodge Custom 2-door Convertible File:1948 Dodge Custom Sedan (2).jpg, 1948 Dodge Custom 4-door Sedan File:1948 Dodge Custom Club Coupe photo-2.JPG , 1948 Dodge Custom 2-door Club Coupe File:1948 Dodge Custom, rear (NL).jpg, 1948 Dodge Custom 4-door Sedan, rear File:1949 Dodge Deluxe 2-door sedan.jpg, 1949 Dodge DeLuxe 2-door sedan File:1950 Dodge Special Deluxe 4dr (2010 A&W St. Léonard).jpg, 1950 Dodge Special Deluxe, the last year for the nameplate (Canada)

References

{{Dodge early timeline Custom Full-size vehicles Cars introduced in 1946