A Concept Born from Show Cars
In the mid-1950s, Dodge introduced the La Femme, a car created as an option package on the Dodge Custom Royal Lancer. Produced in 1955 and 1956, it was marketed directly to women, reflecting Chrysler’s observation that female consumers were influencing car-buying decisions.
The idea originated from Chrysler’s 1954 show cars, Le Comte and La Comtesse. While Le Comte used masculine colors, La Comtesse was painted in soft tones like Dusty Rose and Pigeon Grey. Its favorable reception led Dodge to bring the La Comtesse concept into production as the La Femme.
The 1955 Edition
The first La Femme debuted in spring 1955 as a two-door hardtop coupe finished in Sapphire White and Heather Rose. Gold-colored “La Femme” script adorned the fenders. Inside, upholstery featured pink rosebuds on pale silver-pink backgrounds with matching vinyl trim.
Each car included a pink calfskin purse stored in a compartment behind the passenger seat, complete with Evans Case Company accessories such as a compact, lipstick case, cigarette case, lighter, comb, and change purse. On the back of the driver’s seat, another compartment held a raincoat, rain bonnet, and umbrella made from rosebud-patterned vinyl. Promotional materials proudly announced the car was made “By Special Appointment to Her Majesty… the American Woman.”
The 1956 Redesign
In 1956, Dodge declared the La Femme a “stunning success” in letters to dealerships. The new version was finished in Misty Orchid and Regal Orchid, replacing the prior year’s color scheme.
The interior changed completely, with fabrics featuring purple and lavender loop-pile designs, a headliner with tiny gold splashes, and lavender-toned carpeting. The storage boxes behind the seats now held only the rainwear, with no purse included that year. The unique fabrics used in the 1956 model later became difficult to reproduce, adding to the car’s rarity.
Production and Survival
The La Femme option cost $143 and was discontinued after 1956. Dodge did not revisit the idea, and production numbers were never recorded separately. Research suggests that fewer than 2,500 were made across both years.
Today, about 40 examples of the 1955 edition and just over 20 of the 1956 version are known to exist, including a few with the powerful Dodge D-500 engine option. Despite limited sales, Dodge dealerships used brochures that described the car as being “in mood and manner” for the “discriminating, modern woman.”
While other special trim models of the era, like the Chrysler 300, Plymouth Fury, and DeSoto Adventurer, enjoyed broader promotion, the La Femme remains a unique piece of automotive history, remembered for its distinctive style and unusual marketing approach.
A Dodge that promised more than horsepower—it came with a purse, raincoat, and even an umbrella.
In 1955 and 1956, the La Femme was unveiled as the car “by special appointment to the American woman,” a bold experiment that turned heads with its unusual extras…🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/3xwdMFUIWt
— Fascinating True Stories (@FascinatingTrue) September 23, 2025