Dodge 500
Encyclopedia
The Dodge 500 was a heavy duty truck introduced in 1964 and built in the United Kingdom
by Dodge
.
or Fargo
. The trucks were sold as a cab and chassis and the operators arranged for the purchase of the bodies or trailers.
The 500 Series was developed in the early 1960s, with styling by Ghia and engineering by Rootes Group in Kew
, England
. The suspension used leaf springs in front and rear with optional rear auxiliary springs. The truck was diesel
powered, with forward control and a tilt cab; it was launched in December 1964. Customers obtained the trucks in primer and painted them. The cabs were noted for their styling, roominess and comfort, visibility of the road, and engine placement with minimal intrusion into the cab.
Payload capacities ranged up to 11 ST (10 t) for two-axle units, up to 16 ST (14.5 t) for three-axle units, or a gross combined vehicle weight of up to 67000 lb (30,390.7 kg) for the tractors. Those desiring lighter capacity trucks were directed to the Dodge 100.
With the help of the supplier, a special high tensile steel alloy was developed to lighten the frame. Tubular and channel section cross members were bolted to the frame side-members. Spring hanger brackets were also bolted to the frame, utilizing the cross members where possible. Cummins
and Perkins diesel engines were used.
Buyers had a choice of a Cummins diesel — V6 or V8 — producing 130 hp and 248-328 pound-feet of torque
, or a locally made Perkins diesel with 120 hp and 260 lbft of torque. These were known to be reliable powerplants. An existing time-tested manual transmission was used.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
by Dodge
Dodge
Dodge is a United States-based brand of automobiles, minivans, and sport utility vehicles, manufactured and marketed by Chrysler Group LLC in more than 60 different countries and territories worldwide....
.
History and development
Popular in Britain, and also used in some export markets, the Dodge 500 was also sometimes badged as a DeSotoDeSoto (automobile)
The DeSoto was a brand of automobile based in the United States, manufactured and marketed by the Chrysler Corporation from 1928 to 1961. The DeSoto logo featured a stylized image of Hernando de Soto...
or Fargo
Fargo (truck)
Fargo was a brand of truck manufactured by the Chrysler Corporation. In general terms, Fargo trucks were a mere rebadging of Dodge trucks models.-History:...
. The trucks were sold as a cab and chassis and the operators arranged for the purchase of the bodies or trailers.
The 500 Series was developed in the early 1960s, with styling by Ghia and engineering by Rootes Group in Kew
Kew
Kew is a place in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames in South West London. Kew is best known for being the location of the Royal Botanic Gardens, now a World Heritage Site, which includes Kew Palace...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. The suspension used leaf springs in front and rear with optional rear auxiliary springs. The truck was diesel
Diesel engine
A diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
powered, with forward control and a tilt cab; it was launched in December 1964. Customers obtained the trucks in primer and painted them. The cabs were noted for their styling, roominess and comfort, visibility of the road, and engine placement with minimal intrusion into the cab.
Payload capacities ranged up to 11 ST (10 t) for two-axle units, up to 16 ST (14.5 t) for three-axle units, or a gross combined vehicle weight of up to 67000 lb (30,390.7 kg) for the tractors. Those desiring lighter capacity trucks were directed to the Dodge 100.
With the help of the supplier, a special high tensile steel alloy was developed to lighten the frame. Tubular and channel section cross members were bolted to the frame side-members. Spring hanger brackets were also bolted to the frame, utilizing the cross members where possible. Cummins
Cummins
Cummins Inc. is a Fortune 500 corporation that designs, manufactures, distributes and services engines and related technologies, including fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emission control and electrical power generation systems...
and Perkins diesel engines were used.
Buyers had a choice of a Cummins diesel — V6 or V8 — producing 130 hp and 248-328 pound-feet of torque
Torque
Torque, moment or moment of force , is the tendency of a force to rotate an object about an axis, fulcrum, or pivot. Just as a force is a push or a pull, a torque can be thought of as a twist....
, or a locally made Perkins diesel with 120 hp and 260 lbft of torque. These were known to be reliable powerplants. An existing time-tested manual transmission was used.