Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Too Much Estrogen: 1955 Dodge La Femme with Standard Purse

Yes, the really was a car that was equipped with a female purse as standard equipment, and that car was the 1955 – 1956 Dodge La Femme. The La Femme was created by Chrysler’s marketers (they're always to blame…) in an attempt to trade on the growing interest that women showed in cars in the mid-fifties.

Virtually a customized Dodge Custom Royal Lancer, the La Femme was offered in a feminine Sapphire White and Heather Rose color scheme while the vehicle's interior was adorned with special tapestry upholstery bearing... pink rosebuds on a pale pink background and pale pink vinyl trim. -Continued

Moreover, the La Femme came with a standard rectangular purse matching the car's interior that was stowed in a special compartment built into the back of the passenger seat. Each purse came complete with matching compact lipstick and cigarette cases, a lighter and change purse - today's equivalents of pepper spray, botox and valium...

And if that wasn't enough., the La Femme also came with a standard raincoat, rain bonnet and umbrella in the rosebud pattern that was stored in a compartment behind the driver's seat.

The marketing brochures for the La Femme were evenly feminine as the car itself stating “By Special Appointment to Her Majesty... the American Woman." Approximately 2,500 Dodge La Femmes were produced during the 1955 and 1956 model years, before Dodge completely dropped the model in 1957.

Via: Carsdiva