Dodge

For over a century, Dodge has been producing top quality trucks that have defined the way people move. Founded by the Dodge brothers John Francis Dodge and Horace Elgin Dodge that started 1901 when they opened a machine shop in Detroit, making stove parts and, later, auto parts. The brothers' first involvement in auto industry was in 1902, when Henry Ford who was looking for help in financing his own automobile company approached them. At first, they supply the mechanical parts of the initial 500,000 Ford Model T cars. Because of this, they became well known and highly respected in the automotive industry because of the work they had done for Ford, Oldsmobile, and other leading auto manufacturers.

In 1910 Dodge brothers established their own automobile company in Hamtramck, Michigan. In 1913, they began producing their own automobiles, and the first Dodge automobile appeared on November 14, 1914 with their name on it as a 1915 model. Dodge started well. Their first truck sold well, surpassing Ford's Model T. After the First World War, the 1918 model, the military ambulance was converted to the famous Dodge Brothers half-ton Screenside Commercial Car was released. The Screenside was built on a 114-inch wheelbase automobile chassis with a maximum payload of 1,000 lbs. (half-ton) and used the auto's 212 cubic inch, 35 horsepower, four cylinder engine in three speed transmission. Approximately six months after launching the Screenside the half-ton was added to the commercial car line. These two models were the only trucks the original Dodge Brothers Company built between 1918 and 1928. In 1923 they were upgraded to a 3/4-ton payload rating (1,500 lbs.) and their wheelbases were lengthened to 116-inches in 1924.

By 1920, the year in which both brothers died, Dodge was one of the industry's largest companies. The Dodge concern was purchased by Chrysler Corporation in 1928 and remains a division of Chrysler. From that moment on, the company continued to make several types of vehicle. In 1929, the largest Dodge truck with big, powerful three-ton which featured a 241 cubic inch, 78 horsepower six cylinder with a heavy duty 4-speed transmission and 4-wheel hydraulic brakes was released. It was followed by the 1933 Dodge Commercials, Commercial Sedan, Commercial Express (pickup), and the Commercial Panel. Together with the other antique vehicle, these models became prominent during their time. The Commercial series sold very well in spite of the depression that hit America in that period.

Today, these models are replaced by newer, faster, and better trucks. But the legacy lives on. These antique Dodge vehicles become one of the priceless possessions a antique car enthusiast could have. And with antique Dodge parts, these antique dodge models are preserved to be seen by those who want to look at the colorful history of the automobile industry.