What is a Dodge D500?
The Dodge D500 was a historical badge used by Dodge in the late 1950s and early 1960s to mark high-performance or heavy‑duty variants of certain cars and trucks. There is no current Dodge D500 model; the name lives on mainly in classic-car lore and old Mopar brochures.
Overview and historical context
Across different years and model lines, Dodge used the D500 label to signal different things. In some cases it referred to a large-displacement engine option; in others it indicated a sportier trim package for full-size cars; and on D-series pickups, it denoted a heavy‑duty configuration. The exact specs and availability varied by model and year, reflecting Mopar’s marketing approach at the time.
Variants by era and model
Understanding D500 requires recognizing that it wasn’t a single product line. The badge appeared in multiple contexts and changed its meaning depending on the vehicle and era.
Various contexts in which the D500 badge appeared include:
- Engine option: A large-displacement V8 option that carried the D500 designation for certain Dodge models.
- Performance trim: A stepping‑up in equipment and appearance on some full‑size Dodges marketed as a performance or sporty variant.
- Heavy‑duty truck package: A designation used on certain Dodge D-series pickups to indicate stronger axles, brakes, and tow capacities.
- Marketing and promotional use: The D500 label showed up in period brochures and advertisements to evoke performance, even if exact specs varied by year.
In summary, the D500 badge functioned as a flexible signaling device in Mopar’s lineup rather than a single, uniform product line.
Notable examples and modern references
Today, collectors and researchers encounter D500 primarily through vintage brochures, fender emblems, and dealer literature. The D500 designation also appears in antique car catalogs, car shows, and online archives as a reminder of Dodge’s mid-century performance branding.
- Engine-centric examples: Some late‑1950s Dodges carried the D500 label on the engine or under the hood as part of a performance option.
- Trim and appearance cues: Exterior badging, interior trim hints, and badge placement can help identify a D500-equipped model from its era.
- Truck applications: D-series trucks with the D500 designation typically emphasized payload and towing capabilities relative to standard configurations.
- Historical source material: Original brochures and dealer literature from the period where the D500 term appears.
For modern enthusiasts, the key is to verify the specific year and model, since the D500 badge doesn’t map to a single, current Dodge product.
Today and collectibility
For collectors and researchers, D500 badges and related vehicles can fetch interest; verify with VINs, fender emblems, or engine IDs. Original documentation and brochures help authenticity. Because the designation spans several years and models, the exact meaning varies by year.
Summary
In short, Dodge D500 is a historical designation used across several Dodge product lines to denote performance or heavy‑duty configurations in the late 1950s and early 1960s. It is not a current model, and its exact meaning varies by vehicle and year. If you encounter a D500 today, it’s a collectible cue pointing to Mopar’s mid‑century branding rather than a modern Dodge offering.
Summary: The D500 represents a cross-section of Dodge’s branding history, illustrating how automakers used badges to signal capability and performance—yet without one uniform product associated with the name today.
What is a Dodge Omni?
The Dodge Omni is a subcompact car that was manufactured by Chrysler Corporation from the 1978 to 1990 model years.
What made the 1969 Dodge Charger 500 special?
The 1969 Charger 500 was engineered specifically to meet NASCAR requirements. Its aerodynamic improvements were designed to address high-speed stability issues and gain an edge on the track.
What is the specs of the Dodge d500?
The engine of either model is a 3.63 inch bore, 3.8 inch stroke, 315 cubic inch overhead valve V8 embodying the nowfamiliar hemispherical combustion chamber with a 9 3/4 to 1 compression ratio. The D-500 is rated at 260 brake horsepower at 4800 rpm and 330 pounds feet of torque at 3000 rpm.
What was the performance of the 1956 Dodge D-500?
The Dodge D-500 returned for 1956 on a hemi stroked out to 315 cubic inches. Larger valves, mechanical lifters, reprofiled camshaft, and higher compression (9.25:1) gave it a mighty 260 horses, close to double the maximum power Dodge had offered just two years before.
