How do you make a car for women? Paint it PINK! - The 1955 & 1956 Dodge La Femme Story

[@davidgold5961]

6:49 regardless of the color scheme, I just love the dashboard layout.

[@denniscarroll7696]

Wow, since you were able to reproduce these 2 fabric patterns is remarkable, and AMAZING!

[@friendofdorothy9376]

I’d totally own and drive one. So unique and pretty.

[@jerrycallender9927]

LUVIN' this video. I grew up in the 1950's with Chrysler cars - 1950 Coronet Deluxe, 1954 New Yorker Newport, 1955 DeSoto Coronado... When I was restoring 'old cars', twenty or so years ago I turned to SMS whenever I needed a replacement fabric. Dunno what you consider 'classic', but I'm gonna send some photos of my 'old car', my mother's last car, her 1991 Park Avenue. which carried me from Virginia Beach to Tucson, in 2019, making the trip in 42 hours, (52 hours total time counting nap times and re-fueling.).

[@steved1387]

I owned a 1956 La Femme back in 2003 or so, and indeed, I believe the car at 6:33 is my old machine because the taillight section has the wrong color. The interior is also not quite right. The car has a poly 315. It was purchased from a lot in Illinois and transported to Seattle, whereupon I took it to JC Auto to get some of its problems fixed. Unfortunately, it had a lot of bondo in its lower regions and it would have cost $13,500 to get everything done right. I decided to sell it to a guy down in Puyallup who ran the La Femme Club. He ultimately gave it to his wife after he found a **very rare** '56 La Femme D-500! The couple moved to Cincinnatti and I don't know what became of the machine after that. Bottom line for me is I'm very happy that a bunch of "Mad Men" dreamed this up. It might have worked better if it was not aimed specifically at women and instead was a trim package based more on the gorgeous exterior colors. The '56 La Femme is to me one of the most beautiful cars of the '50s and I would love to buy a '56 one day and repaint it in the two-tone orchid. Every time I drove it, people couldn't stop staring, and I even got a thumbs-up from -- get this -- a skinhead! Didn't expect that one, but let's face it, when does anyone see something like this?

[@louiswiley6121]

Both years beautiful cars.

[@bobpierce115]

I've heard of this car before, and actually saw one at vintage Chrysler auto show around 2014. It got a lot of attention, and surprisingly a lot of love and affection from the attendees of all ages. Men and women. Instead of being ridiculed and scoffed at as something 'mean or 'manipulative' by the male designers of that time, it was viewed almost innocently as something men would come up with in that era. Look. Nothing was going to get green lighted for production if they thought there wasn't a genuine market for it. Maybe not to sell in large numbers, but sufficient per their projections. Rather than lambaste the car, and the men behind it, the people I talked to, men and women both, tried to see it through a mid-'50s viewpoint. The things that may have been seen as ridiculous like the raincoat and purse were acknowledged, but still beloved. 'Mad Men' may have helped. We all know in our gender-neutral world that this didn't work very well at the time, and certainly not afterwards. So most of us have a strong affection for the car, even if it was misguided. We know they meant well. What remains is an extremely interesting, entertaining car in the world of classic American cars. Not a bad legacy!

[@discerningmind]

Thank you for the effort accomplished in bringing forth your videos. I've purchased seat fabric and vinyl from you in the past and as a result of their fine quality I have the deepest respect for SMS Auto Fabrics. The La Femme's were certainly noteworthy models. I was gestating and then a newborn when these cars were released, but I'd have to say that I can't imagine my then young mother liking either of the La Femme versions, particularly the hatbox interior of the '56. While my mom had exquisite taste, she would have found these cars to be a one-track statement lacking to work harmoniously with the outdoor environment. I'm sure my dad would have been against purchasing a La Femme for our then one-car family. And to say the least, construction workers tend not to arrive at a job site in a vehicle that demands remaining clean. Though I'm amused by the thought of auto mechanic's having to take a test drive in one of these or the dread that must have arisen when a La Femme required a particularly long test drive. I'd like to add that, there had been a later splash in attracting sales of the fairer sex, and again it was by Chrysler in the early 1970s. I'm recalling the Dodge and Plymouth, Darts and Dusters, with optional vinyl roofs available in floral prints. These were rare at the time and I only recall having seen one real life example back in the day.

[@SMSAutoFabrics]

Thanks for the great comment! And yes, you’re referring to the “Mod Top” Mopars available in 1969 and 1970 that had the floral pattern vinyl tops. They are indeed rare (sources say that less than 3,000 cars had this option), and come in a few different colors and patterns. A very “swinging 60s,” or even “Austin Powers” type vibe. We actually make all three original patterns of Mod Top material!

[@discerningmind]

@@SMSAutoFabrics Wow! I feel special that my comment deserved a reply from you. Thank you for that information. I would think that the Mod Top would have appeal to young women today. They're not necessarily just for MOPARs. Customized appearance seems to play a big role with young people now a days. I could be wrong, but maybe consider a Mod Top availability piece on your home page. That might draw sales for custom Mod Tops.

[@ceciltrane5418]

Well informed video. Never heard of this car. Only a dozen or so know in exsistance, and SMS endeavors to remake the fabric. Good job again. I definitely have not forgotten my appreciation for SMS making "base" model interior trim for the Chevelle 300. To the owners of SMS, thank you. 😊

[@fob1xxl]

The 1955 FORD has the SAME color scheme including a BLACK and PINK VERSION ! CADILLAC also had a PINK and WHITE version of their own . Remember the song, "PINK CADILLAC" ? CHRYSLER had a PINK and WHITE DESOTO AS WELL.

[@luvanime1986]

Thanks for the video. You brought out some info I had not been aware of such as the name engraving option on the '55 purse pocket metal piece (not available in 1956) and other bits and bobs. I have some samples from your company to match the interior seats and door panel trim which I received a few years ago for my 1956 Dodge Custom Royal Lancer, but due to some serious health issues, restoration has been slowed down and I may end up not being able to restore it to original fabrics due to cost. But I've seen your work on other Forward Look Mopars and it is top notch! Thanks again!

[@victorjohnson7512]

The 1950's had the best car paint jobs.

[@RacingChannel32]

Thoroughly enjoyed the video. What a fascinating car. like you said, it seems preposterous to advertise a car to just one gender, especially from the perspective of us today. You've earned a new subscriber, thanks for the video.

[@johnnysamples]

I had 2 unusual classic cars. One was a 68 Impala SS427 and the other was an 89 Dakota convertible; both very cool rides.

[@SMSAutoFabrics]

Two awesome cars, thanks for sharing! That Dakota convertible is a rare, rad ride that probably deserves its own video someday!

[@muffs55mercury61]

Dodge thought they had a big hit with women with this car but it never happened as only about 1000 were built in 1955-56. At that time most women over 30 were married and they already had a car in the family.

[@miffedmax]

Which begs the question as to why it wasn't a four-door or a wagon. (Oh, that sounded kind of sexist). But all the moms when I was growing up drove a wagon or sedan (including mine). If you've got kids, who wants a two-door?

[@gerry-p9x]

Dad brought one home early 60s had a pink umbrella in it....MOM THREATENED. DIVORCE IFIT STAYED IN DRIVEWAY.....