What cars did Chrysler make in 1955?
In 1955, Chrysler produced a multi-brand mix of cars across Chrysler, DeSoto, Dodge, Plymouth and Imperial, introducing the era-defining Forward Look styling. The year brought a broad catalog of sedans, coupes and wagons across these brands.
The following overview outlines the principal model families that Chrysler marketed in 1955, organized by brand. It captures the core lineups that customers could choose from, as the automaker emphasized modern design, new body styles, and expanded options across its portfolio.
A year of Forward Look design and broad family coverage
The 1955 model year is widely remembered for Chrysler’s bold styling shift and the expansion of its product family. The company offered cars across five brands, including practical station wagons and upscale luxury models, with distinct lines for everyday shoppers and premium buyers alike.
Chrysler brand models
Below are the core Chrysler-brand model families that appeared in 1955, representing the range of body styles and price points offered by the automaker that year.
- Chrysler Windsor
- Chrysler Saratoga
- Chrysler New Yorker
- Chrysler Town & Country (wagon)
The Chrysler brand in 1955 leaned into the Forward Look design language, offering a blend of luxury and value through these model families, including practical wagons for families and more premium coupes and sedans for other buyers.
DeSoto brand models
DeSoto’s lineup in 1955 focused on its mid-range and premium offerings, highlighted by distinctive styling and comfortable interior appointments within the brand’s traditional lineup.
- DeSoto Fireflite
- DeSoto Firedome
- DeSoto Adventurer
DeSoto’s 1955 cars offered a stepped-up experience with bolder styling and the brand’s customary emphasis on comfort and usable power within the Forward Look era.
Dodge brand models
For Dodge, 1955 represented a mix of mid- and upper-range models, marrying practical family cars with more stylish, performance-conscious options in the showroom lineup.
- Dodge Lancer
- Dodge Royal
- Dodge Meadowbrook
Dodge’s 1955 offerings provided a range from solid everyday transport to more refined cars, all aligned with the year’s modernized styling cues.
Plymouth brand models
Plymouth’s 1955 catalog emphasized accessible styling and value, alongside sportier-looking variants to appeal to a broad audience.
- Plymouth Belvedere
- Plymouth Savoy
- Plymouth Plaza
Plymouth’s lineup reflected the brand’s reputation for affordability and practical performance, while adopting the updated 1955 design language.
Imperial models
Imperial, as Chrysler’s luxury marque, showcased its top-tier offerings with distinctive styling and premium appointments in 1955.
- Imperial
- Imperial Crown
The Imperial line in 1955 highlighted the luxury end of the market, featuring advanced interiors and the era’s bold exterior styling, often shared with the broader Forward Look family traits.
The broader context and market impact
1955 marked a pivotal year for Chrysler as it pushed the Forward Look aesthetic across its entire lineup. The multi-brand strategy allowed the company to cover diverse segments—from affordable family cars to luxury cruisers—while presenting a cohesive design language that defined mid-1950s American automaking.
What this meant for buyers in 1955
For buyers, Chrysler’s 1955 offerings meant a wider choice of body styles and trim levels without leaving the brand, plus an accessible path from practical sedans and wagons to high-end cruisers. The varied lineup helped Chrysler respond to postwar demand for stylish, comfortable automobiles that still delivered everyday usability.
Conclusion and legacy
The 1955 model year stands as a milestone in Chrysler history for its bold styling shift and broad, multi-brand approach. The lineup’s breadth—not just in model names but in the variety of bodies and trims—helped define the automaker’s role in the mid-1950s American market and set the stage for its continued evolution in the Forward Look era.
Summary: In 1955, Chrysler produced a multi-brand lineup across Chrysler, DeSoto, Dodge, Plymouth and Imperial, delivering Windsor, Saratoga, New Yorker, Town & Country, Fireflite, Firedome, Adventurer, Lancer, Royal, Meadowbrook, Belvedere, Savoy, Plaza, Imperial and Crown Imperial models. The year marked a stylistic turning point that influenced American car design for years to come.
