1953 DODGE PICKUP, VEHICLE ID: 200, STAKE BODY ...WHILE THE B SERIES WERE VERY POPULAR, THE C SERIES USHERED IN A NEW ERA OF MORE POWERFUL TRUCKS, WITH ADVANCED (OPTIONAL) POWERDOME V8 ENGINES PUSHING OUT 145 HORSEPOWER (MANY TIMES THE ORIGINAL 35!) AND 215 LB-FT OF TORQUE...AT LOW RPM. THE FLATHEAD SIX WAS STILL AVAILABLE, WITH INCREASED POWER (100 OR 110 HP DEPENDING ON THE DISPLACEMENT). DESPITE THE SUCCESS OF THE B TRUCKS, THE C HAD A VERY DIFFERENT STYLE. PERHAPS THAT IS BECAUSE THEY WERE, AGAIN, BRAND NEW - REDESIGNED FROM THE GROUND UP, COMPLETE WITH A NEW FRAME THAT ADDED WHEEL CLEARANCE FOR EVEN TIGHTER TURNS. THE CAB WAS LOWER, WITH EVEN MORE GLASS. IN 1955, VISIBILITY INCREASED EVEN MORE WITH WRAPAROUND WINDSHIELDS. COSMETIC CHANGES FROM 1955 THROUGH 1975 (LATER FOR SOME EXPORT HEAVY-DUTY TRUCKS) CONTINUED IN FRONT OF THE CAB. JUST AS IN 2002, HEMI ENGINES WERE INTRODUCED ACROSS THE TRUCK LINE IN THE 1950S, STARTING WITH THE 133 HORSEPOWER 241 (220 LB-FT TORQUE) AND MOVING UP TO THE 172 HORSEPOWER 331 (294 LB-FT).