1952 Dodge Hardtop: Its Competition and a Walkaround

Chrysler Corporation's postwar designs were announced during the 1949 model year and the basic bodies remained in production through 1952 -- a four-year run.

In those days, a three-year run probably would have been considered more ideal, but material shortages in the USA due to the Korean War seem to have disrupted normal Detroit practices.  Besides Chrysler, General Motors' high-production A-body Chevrolets and Pontiacs remained unchanged for model year 1949-52.  And its B and C bodies had four-year runs 1950-1953.  Studebaker's new 1947 body set continued through 1952.  Hudson kept its 1948 body in production through 1954.  Kaiser was redesigned for 1951, and Nash for 1952.  But Ford Motor Company's 1949 designs were all replaced for the 1952 model year.

So there was some new-design competition for Chrysler's 1952 offerings, but not a lot.  That said, how did the Corporation's styling stack up against its 1952 rivals?  Today's post features the '52 Dodge hardtop and competing hardtops in its general price range.

Let's pretend we're in 1952 and shopping for a lower-medium price range hardtop.  A possible set of choices follows:

Gallery

1952 Dodge Coronet Diplomat - car-for-sale photo set
First, a brief walkaround of a Dodge hardtop.

The basic shape is not sleek.  But the intent of the 1949 Chrysler Corporation packaging was a car smaller on the outside, larger on the inside, presumably tall enough for a passenger to wear a hat while traveling.

Rear fender could be detached if repairs were needed.

The window design is essentially that first found on 1949 Oldsmobiles, Buick and Cadillacs.

Windshields are two-pane, flat glass.  Outdated.

Grille design is distinctive, but those segment above the main chrome bar seem odd.  Well, they seemed odd to me back in those days.

1952 Pontiac Chieftain 8 Catalina - car-for-sale photo
Passenger compartment greenhouse follows the '49 Olds-Buick-Cadillac theme that the Dodge borrowed.  The windshield is two-piece, but the glass is curved.  Lower body is not boxy, like Dodge's.

1952 Oldsmobile Super 88 Holiday - Barrett-Jackson Auctions photo
GM's B-body hardtop design.  The rear fender is not distinct, only indicated by the flowing fenderline.

1952 Buick Special Riviera - car-for-sale photo
Another B-body GM hardtop.  Much more rounded than the Dodge.  Also more side chrome in the form of Buick's trademark Sweepspear.  Plus the "portholes."

1952 Mercury Monterey - car-for-sale photo
A new design for 1952.  Boxy, but not as boxy as the Dodge.  Enlivened by fake air intakes on the hood and flanks.  Windshield is curved, one-piece glass.  Altogether a more modern design in early 1950s American context.

1952 Studebaker Champion Starliner - car-for-sale photo
The lower body is a facelifted version of a 1947 design.  But that design was advanced for its time.  The greenhouse is new for 1952.
The Dodge's styling is less attractive, less interesting than its competition.   A little old-fashioned compared to the rivals shown here.  However, Dodges had a reputation for reliability, which was important for many potential buyers.  Plus, a V-8 motor was available, unlike the Pontiacs and Buicks.