The Dodge Meadowbrook is a

full-size car Full-size car—also known as large car—is a vehicle size class which originated in the United States and is used for cars larger than mid-size cars, it is the largest size class for cars. In Europe, it is known as E-segment or F-segment. Af ...

that 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 1949 to 1954.

History

The Dodge Meadowbrook was produced by Dodge and offered as the midline trim level from February 1949 until 1954, above the Wayfarer and beneath the

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. The Meadowbrook was largely identical to the Coronet, excepting trim and equipment differences. In 1952 the Wayfarer was cancelled and the Meadowbrook became the lowest-priced Dodge in the United States; export markets (including Canada) continued to receive the Plymouth-based

Dodge Kingsway The Dodge Kingsway is an automobile built by Dodge for export markets. The Kingsway name was adopted for the 1940 models. Before that, the export models based on Plymouth models had no unique model names. Kingsways were rebadged Plymouth vehicles, ...

1949

In its first year the four-door only Meadowbrook made up 30% of Dodge's sales (about 90,000 units), and came with "Safe-Guard Hydraulic Brakes" which included two cylinders per front brake. Dodge also advertised a new "cradled" ride, which was supposedly softer than all the others makers cars. The single-barrel inline-six produced .

1950

For 1950, the six-cylinder was baptized the "Get-Away" engine. After the late introduction of the 1949s, the 1950 Dodges appeared a little earlier, on 4 January 1950. Lee, p. 267 The 1950 Meadowbrook has a wide, turning circle. Four-door sedan bodywork remained the only option.

1951

The 1951 Meadowbrook received a thorough change, with all-new front skin. Bumpers were also new, as was the dashboard, and the windshield was enlarged. Lee, p. 268 The engine remained unchanged, as it would until 1954.

1952

In 1952, the Meadowbrook made up 32.50% of Dodge's sales (circa 84,000). With Chrysler being entirely focussed on the

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effort, the 1952s received almost no changes - modifications being limited to details such as a red reflector dot beneath the taillights and lightly redesigned hubcaps. The 1952s were introduced on 10 November 1951. Lee, p. 269

1953

The 1953 Dodges arrived on 23 October 1952, and featured a revised bodywork based on the 1952s. The doors (now with pull-handles) opened wider, the rear window was a one-piece, and the taillights were oval units. Naturally the grille and chrome applications were altered. The "Meadowbrook Special" series was added to replace the Wayfarer at the lower end of Dodge's lineup. Lee, p. 263 A two-door model and a station wagon were also added. The two- and four-door sedans were both offered in both Meadowbrook and Special trim levels, but the Special did not suit the buoyant US car market and by April 1953 it had already been discontinued. Instead, sales of the new V8-engined Coronet were very strong. The austere Special, intended for travelling salesmen and the like, received no chrome side trim and plain rubber trim around the windows. The interior was equally bare. The two-door Suburban wagon, offered for 1953 only, sat on a shorter wheelbase than the sedans.

1954

1954 was the last year of the Meadowbrook, and it had a new Powerflite automatic. Offered as a four-door or two-door sedan (called Club Coupé), it was now also available with the optional new "Red Ram" Hemi V8 engine. Of , it produces for the Meadowbrook, ten horsepower less than in the more senior Dodges due to a lower compression ratio. Thanks to a modest compression increase, the "230" six increased its power output to . Lee, p. 270 Buyers still flocked to the more prestigious Coronet and

Royal Royal may refer to: People * Royal (name), a list of people with either the surname or given name * A member of a royal family Places United States * Royal, Arkansas, an unincorporated community * Royal, Illinois, a village * Royal, Iowa, a cit ...

lines, and only 15,444 were built. Meadowbrook.jpg, 1952 Dodge Meadowbrook (with non-standard wheels) File:1953 Dodge Meadowbrook (34282190354).jpg, Modified 1953 Dodge Meadowbrook Suburban File:1954 Dodge Meadowbrook Sedan.jpg, 1954 Dodge Meadowbrook four-door sedan

References

External links

*http://www.oldride.com/library/dodge_meadowbrook.html *https://web.archive.org/web/20071011231413/http://conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z1667/Dodge_Meadowbrook/default.aspx {{Dodge 1950s cars Rear-wheel-drive vehicles Coupés Sedans Meadowbrook Full-size vehicles Station wagons Cars introduced in 1949 Cars discontinued in 1954