I have a friend that has a 1957 dodge truck with tail fins, anybody know anything about it???

Answer 1

Your friend has quite a unique little ride there. This was the first year for the "one piece" hood configuration in the Dodge Brothers truck line. If it is the V-8 model of the "swept side" it has what is called the poly-sphere engine. A very high output engine for its time, however parts are now pretty much gone for it. If you look at the dashboard you will notice that it is fully symmetrical. These and previous years of Dodge trucks where made to be easily built for any market. Right hand for the rest of the world and left drive for the U.S. market. If they have the money tell them to cherry it out and enjoy the hell out of it. They will not lose a dime on the investment. Good Luck.

Answer 2

After a few years, the marketing of the C series pickups was updated, even as the basic truck remained the same. Dodge introduced the name "Power Giant" in 1957, adding an optional, wider "Sweptline" cargo box in 1959. Along with the new name, Dodge began to use the industry-standard rating system, calling its half-ton pickups the D100 (today, Ford uses that numbering system, while GM and Dodge have inflated their numbers to 1500, 2500, and 3500).



Other 1957 additions, which may have justified the name (along with the unprecedented-power engines), were a hood that opened completely, power steering and brakes, tubeless tires, a push-button three-speed automatic, and a 12 volt electrical system for greater reliability.

Along with the Sweptline cargo box, which essentially followed the dimensions of the cab rather than narrowing, the 1959 models got a new grille, and running boards were concealed behind the doors. The Utiline "one-ton" truck had a maximum gross vehicle weight of 9,000 pounds with its optional dual rear wheels.

1960 brought the new-style pedals, which hang from above rather than connect through the floor, but pretty much all other powertrain features were the same. The Sweptline boxes were redesigned to add four inches of width.

Go here and read more and see pics.
http://www.allpar.com/model/ram/ram-history.html

Answer 3

You mean besides you and your friend? Not likely. Since Dodge trucks didn't come with tail fins (see http://www.dodgeclassictrucks.com/lm57b.jpg ) it means someone with a sense of humor added them at some point in its life.

Added: Okay, I stand corrected. I have NEVER seen one, But here is a 1958 sweptside. Take a look here. http://www.sweptsides.com/main58.htm

For the 1957, they estimate there are less than 75 surviving.

Answer 4

It is a Dodge Sweptside, a really nice truck and pretty hard to find. Tell him he better hang on to it.