The Dodge LaFemme was a product of the Chrysler Corporation's Dodge Division between 1955 and 1956. The La Femme's “reason for being” stemmed from Chrysler's marketing department's observation that more and more women were taking interest in automobiles during the 1950s, and that women’s opinions on which color car to buy was becoming part of the decision making process for couples buying an automobile. The La Femme was an attempt to gain a foothold in the women's automobile market.

The La Femme concept was based upon two Chrysler show cars from the 1954 season. Named Le Comte, and La Comtess, each was built from a Chrysler Newport hardtop body, and each was given a clear plastic roof over the entire passenger compartment. While the Le Comte was design using masculine colors, the La Comtess was painted “Dusty Rose” and “Pigeon Grey” in order to convey femininity. Favorable responses encouraged Chrysler to pursue the La Comtess concept.

Dodge received the project and renamed the concept the La Femme, which began as a 1955 Dodge Custom Royal Lancer hardtop, painted “Sapphire White” and “Heather Rose”. From there the exterior received special gold colored “La Femme” scripts that replaced the standard “Royal Lancer” scripts on the cars front fenders.

The interior of the car also received attention and features. La Femme interiors were upholstered in special “tapestry” material featuring pink rose buds on a pale pink background and white vinyl trim. The La Femme also came with a rectangular purse that coordinated with the interior of the car. The purse could be stowed in a special compartment built into the back of the passenger seat. Each purse was outfitted with a matching set included compact, lipstick case, cigarette case, lighter and change purse, all by designed and made by “Evans”. On the back of the drivers seat was a compartment that contained a raincoat, rain bonnet and umbrella, which again, coordinated with the Heather Rose interior. Dodge marketing brochures for the La Femme stated clearly that the car was made “By Special Appointment to Her Majesty…the American Woman.”

For 1956, the La Femme returned, with no less fanfare; letters to dealers from Dodge’s marketing department called the La Femme a “stunning success.” For the model year, Doge replaced the Pink and White scheme with a Lavender and Orchid color scheme. Interior appointments remained the same, but followed the new color scheme.

Dodge dropped the La Femme for its 1957 model year and did not revisit the concept. Because the LaFemme was a $143 option package, its total production was never broken out from Dodge's production numbers.

Sources

1955-56 Dodge La Femme: “By Appointment to Her Majesty – the American Woman” Collectible Automobile, Tom Lindsay, Author. February 1988.

External Links

The Dodge La Femme