During the years immediately following the Second World War, Chrysler Australia faced a difficult challenge. Before the war the company held around ten percent of the Australian car market, but by 1955 that share had fallen to only five percent. Ford and General Motors-Holden were moving quickly to develop cars with higher Australian content, while Chrysler was slower to react.
To remain competitive, Chrysler Australia needed a locally adapted car that could be produced more economically using Australian-sourced components and locally tooled body panels. The solution became the Chrysler Royal, a model that would represent Chrysler’s first serious attempt to build a uniquely Australian full-size car.
How the Chrysler Royal Was Created
Rather than design an entirely new vehicle from scratch, Chrysler Australia adopted a practical “mix and match” approach. The Royal combined elements from several Chrysler Corporation models including Dodge, Plymouth, and De Soto. This allowed the company to build a new model without the massive expense of tooling three separate vehicles.
The basic body shell used for the early Royals dated back to the 1953 Plymouth, although it was heavily modified for Australian production. Later models incorporated styling elements from American Plymouth and De Soto vehicles, while the grille design became a distinctly Australian feature.
Local assembly took place using a combination of imported mechanical components and locally produced body panels. This approach allowed Chrysler to increase Australian content while still relying on proven Chrysler Corporation engineering.
Mechanical Specifications
The Chrysler Royal used the Canadian-built Plymouth right-hand-drive export chassis, with a wheelbase of approximately 116 inches (9 feet 8 inches). The car measured roughly 16 feet 8 inches in length, with a width of just over 6 feet and a curb weight of around 3,225 pounds.
Early entre level Royals were powered by Chrysler’s 230 cubic inch flathead six-cylinder engine, producing around 115 horsepower with a 3 speed manual-transmission. Vehicles fitted with either a 3 speed manual and Overdrive transmission or the PowerFlite automatic transmission received a slightly larger 250.6 cubic inch version of the engine producing about 117 horsepower. The top of the line models were powered by the 303 cubic inch V8 engine and PowerFlite Automatic Transmission.
One of the most interesting features of the Royal when introduced in 1957 was the availability of the PowerFlite automatic transmission. The unusual push-button automatic gearbox controls was still quite novel for Australian buyers at the time. Power steering and power brakes were also offered, marking some of the earliest appearances of these features in Australian-assembled vehicles.
Pricing and Equipment
When introduced, the Chrysler Royal sold for around £1896 for the entre level manual model, with additional charges for optional equipment.
Typical option prices included:
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Powerflite automatic transmission – £174
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Power steering – £93
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Power brakes – £23
The Royal came well equipped for its time, with items such as radio, carpets, heater-demister, window washers, luggage compartment lighting, and two-tone paint work.
The Royal compared reasonably well with competing cars of the period including the Ford Customline and Holden models.
Styling Changes and Later Development
In late 1958 the Chrysler Royal received a facelift that included a bold new grille and revised side mouldings. Tail fins were modified, and additional body styles were introduced including the Wayfarer utility.
Later Royals also saw the introduction of 313 cubic inch V8 power, with the engines derived from Chrysler’s Canadian and American models. These engines provided a significant improvement in performance, with the V8 Royal capable of accelerating from rest to the quarter mile in around 17 seconds, impressive for a large Australian sedan of the period.
Throughout its production life the Royal evolved gradually, with changes to trim, engines, and body details while retaining its distinctive character.
Production and Legacy
Production of the Chrysler Royal continued through the late 1950s and early 1960s before the model line was eventually replaced by the Dodge Phoenix and later Chrysler Valiant models.
Between 1957 and 1963, more than 10,000 Chrysler Royals were built in Australia. Although production numbers were modest compared with Holden and Ford, the Royal remains an important milestone in Australian automotive history.
It represented Chrysler’s first major attempt to produce a car tailored specifically for Australian conditions and local manufacturing.
Today the Chrysler Royal is remembered as a distinctive and stylish vehicle from an era when Australia’s automotive industry was rapidly developing its own identity.
Chrysler Royal Workshop Manual
For owners restoring or maintaining these cars, the complete 1957 Chrysler Royal AP1 Workshop Service Repair Manual provides detailed information covering maintenance, mechanical repairs, and servicing procedures.
You can download the complete Chrysler Royal Workshop Manual here.
