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DODGE

The Dodge Brothers Story (Summary)


Birth of the founders

1864 : John Francis Dodge born, Niles, MI  

1868 : Horace Elgin Dodge born, Niles, MI

1875 : April 2 - Walter Percy Chrysler born, Wamego, KS

1899 - Dodge brothers work for Canadian Typothetac Company in Ontario. Organize the Evans & Dodge Bicycle Co.


1900 - Evans & Dodge Bicycle Co. taken over by National Cycle & Automobile Company, Hamilton, ON, which also takes over E.C.Stearns Company, Toronto, ON. The Dodge brothers, and Frederick J. Haynes of the E.C.Stearns Company, work for National Cycle.


1901 - Dodge brothers move to Detroit, MI and open a shop on Beaubien Street making bicycles and parts for the auto industry.


1902 - Dodge brothers get contract to build 3,000 transmissions for Olds Motor Works.


1903 - Dodge brothers equip their plant to build engines for Ford in return for 10% interest in Ford Motor Company. Cancel contract with Olds Motor Works.


1910- Dodge brothers build a new plant in Hamtramck, MI


1912 - Frederick J. Haynes leaves H.H.Franklin Company for Dodge Brothers.


1914 - Dodge Brothers begin July 17 - Dodge Brothers Inc. formed. Begin working on bringing out the Dodge Brothers car. November 14 - First Dodge Brothers car rolls off the line. When asked why the Dodge Brothers wanted to build their own car, John Dodge replied, "Just think of all the Ford owners who will someday want an automobile." Dodge Brothers end contract with Ford Motor Company as Ford begins building it own engines.


1916 - Dodge Brothers adopts Budd-built all-steel body for touring cars.


1917 - First Dodge Brothers commercial car built in October.


1919 - Henry Ford purchases stock of minority stockholders of Ford Motor Company, including the holdings of John and Horace Dodge who collect $19,000,000.


1920 - January 14 - John Francis Dodge dies, December 10 - Horace Elgin Dodge dies. Frederick J. Haynes becomes president of Dodge Brothers Inc.


1921 - Dodge Brothers and Graham Brothers sign an agreement whereby Graham Brothers will use Dodge Brothers engines and sell their trucks through Dodge Brothers dealers. Production of Graham Brothers Trucks begins at Hamtamck, MI.


1923 - Dodge Brothers introduces all-steel sedan body.Dodge Brothers Inc. purchased by banking firm, Dillon, Read & Co. for $146,000,000 from the widows of the Dodge brothers.


1924 - 1 millionth Dodge Brothers car.


1925 - October 1 - Dodge Brothers Inc. purchases 51% of Graham Brothers, Inc., with plants in Evansville, IN and Stockton, CA. Ray A. Graham becomes general manager, Joseph C. Graham becomes vice-president of manufacturing and Robert C. Graham becomes sales manager of Dodge Brothers Inc. Edward J. Wilmer appointed president of Dodge Brothers Inc.. as Frederick J. Haynes becomes chairman of the board.


1926 - May 1 - Dodge Brothers Inc. purchases remaining 49% of Graham Brothers Inc.


1927 - Graham brothers leave Dodge Brothers and purchase Paige Motor Co., which becomes the Graham-Paige Motor Corporation.


1928 - July 31 - Chrysler purchases Dodge Brothers Inc., manufacturers of Dodge Brothers cars and trucks, and Graham Brothers trucks. Main plants and forge facilities in Hamtramck, MI, with assembly plants in Stockton, CA, Evansville, IN and a CKD plant in Toronto, ON., plus land on Lynch Road, the future site of the Plymouth plant. Walter P. Chrysler is president of Dodge Brothers Corporation and K.T.Keller is general manager. September - The Fargo Motor Corporation was formed with production beginning that month at Highland Park. Walter P. Chrysler is the first president of the Fargo Motor Corporation. Chrysler Export Corporation organized. Frederick J. Haynes and Edward J. Wilmer leave Dodge Brothers upon purchase of company by Chrysler Corporation. 2 millionth Dodge Brothers car.


1929 - Chrysler Motor Parts Corporation (later Mopar) formed. Byron C. Foy becomes vice-president, Chrysler Corporation David A. Wallace becomes master mechanic for the Chrysler Corporation. Walter P. Chrysler begins construction of the Chrysler Building in New York City.


1930 - Graham Brothers Truck and Dodge Brothers Truck become Dodge Truck and the Dodge Brothers car becomes Dodge. Both, however, continue to use the Dodge Brothers Star of David emblem to the end of the 1938 model year. January - DeSoto model CF, with a straight-eight engine, introduced. Dodge introduced an eight cylinder model. November - Fargo Truck production ends, for the first time. Division carries on for export and fleet car sales. F.L.Rockelman named president of Plymouth Motor Corporation. K.T.Keller names president of Dodge Brothers Motor Corporation.

 

See Dodge Brothers Club web site for further reading - http://www.dodgebrothersclub.org

Dodge - 1920('20 Tourer)

Make - Dodge Brothers

Year - 1920

Model - 1920 Series 114" W.B.

Body - Tourer Serial Number 452142

Engine - Dodge 4 cyl, side valve. 212.3 ci (3.5L), 35 hp @ 2,000RPM

Gearbox - 3sp, Non-synchro.

Diff. Ratio - 4:1:1

Wheelbase - 114" (2,895mm)

Brake - Foot - 2 rear wheel, external, mechanical. Hand - Internal on rear wheels.

Weight - 2,535lb (1,152kg)

Wheel - Artillery Wood Spoke

Tyre Size - 4.00 x 32"

Origin - USA, Bodied in Australia.

History of this Car

1921 to 1961

Purchased from Carters Garage Tamworth by Jack Lye of Loomberah, near Tamworth after a good wheat crop. It was the family car and his 11 children learned to drive around the farm in it.

Kept going after various accidents and layups and shedded on the property and in Tamworth for various periods. Resurrected and repaired by each new generation as a farm car and a vehicle on which the kids anmd grandkids would use to learn to drive.

The car was not registered after the second world war and Reg Lye (Jack's son) remembers being instructed to take it to town to see what had to be done to it mechanically to get it registered. A new battery was fitted and the garage man said anything that can go up the lookout in top gear dosent need anything doing to it.

1961 - 2003

Purchased by the present owner in 1961 and restored in Tamworth instead of studying for the Leaving Certificate. Then driven while at University and going up the north coast for 5 years until it got too slow for everyday use.

Keep in various garages in Tamworth, Cundletown and Sydney until 2003.

2003 - 2012

The present owner commenced a total restoration in 2003 with a little knowledge and a great deal of enthusiasm. With a lot of help from a few friends and great encouragement from the neighbours who were very tolerant of the banging, swearing, painting and spare parts all over the house, this is now completed. The present owner has taken it on a few VVCA tours to iron out the various problems and to get it working well.

So far, except for a few small problems, it is going well. In October 2012 it did 2000km around NSW travelling at about 45km/hr and we are pressing to be part of the slow driving movement. It goes well on the open road and at that speed you see everything and are never short of someone to talk to.

Dodge T20
DodgeT21

Dodge - 1921('21 Tourer)

Make - Dodge Brothers

Year - 1920

Model - model30

Body - Tourer.

Engine - Dodge 4 cyl, side valve. 212.3 ci (3.5L), 35 hp @ 2,000RPM

Gearbox - 3sp, Non-synchro.

Diff. Ratio - 4:1:1

Wheelbase - 114" (2,895mm)

Brake - Foot - 2 rear wheel, external, mechanical. Hand - Internal on rear wheels.

Weight - 2,535lb (1,152kg)

Wheel - Artillery Wood Spoke

Tyre Size - 4.00 x 32"

Origin - USA, Bodied in Australia.

History of this Car

Kept going after various accidents and layups and shedded on a property and in Tamworth for various periods. Resurrected and repaired by each new generation as a farm car and a vehicle on which the kids and grandkids would use to learn to drive.

The car was not registered after the second world war. Reg Lye (Jack's son) remembers being instructed to take it to town to see what had to be done to it mechanically to get it registered. A new battery was fitted and the garage man said anything that can go up the lookout in top gear doesn't need anything doing to it.

Full restoration by owner.

Dodge - 1923('23 Tourer)

Make - Dodge Brothers

Year - 1923

Model - 4

Body - Tourer.

Engine - Dodge & Graham Bros 4 cyl, side valve. 212.5 ci (3.5L), ?? hp @ 2,000RPM

Gearbox - 3sp, Dodge Bros selective sliding gears.

Diff. Ratio - 5:5:1

Wheelbase - 116" (2,946mm)

Brake - Foot - 2 rear wheel mechanical. Hand - Internal on rear wheels.

Weight - 2,591lb (1,178kg)

Wheel - Artillery Wood Spoke

Tyre Size - 5.25 x 21"

Origin - USA

History of car is unknown. Partially restored by prior owner, Work in Progress. 

Dodge T23R

Dodge - 1923('23 Tourer)

Make - Dodge Brothers

Year - 1923

Model - model30

Body - Tourer.

Engine - Dodge 4 cyl, side valve. 212.3 ci (3.5L), 35 hp @ 2,000RPM

Gearbox - 3sp, Non-synchro, Dodge pattern gearshift.

Diff. Ratio - 4:4:1

Wheelbase - 114" (2,895mm)

Brake - Foot - 2 rear wheel, external, mechanical. Hand - Internal on rear wheels.

Weight - 2,535lb (1,152kg)

Wheel - Artillery Wood Spoke

Tyre Size - 4.00 x 32"

Origin - USA, Bodied in Australia.

Hstory unknown. Read restoration story here

Dodge 23TG

Dodge - 1924 (Tourer)

Make - Dodge Brothers

Year - 1924

Model -

Body - Tourer.

Engine - Dodge 4 cyl, side valve. 212.3 ci (3.5L), 35 hp @ 2,000RPM

Gearbox - 3sp, Non-synchro, Dodge pattern gearshift.

Diff. Ratio - 4:1:1

Wheelbase - 116" (2,946mm)

Brake - Foot - 2 rear wheel, external, mechanical. Hand - Internal on rear wheels.

Weight - 2,631lb (1,650kg)

Wheel - Artillery Wood Spoke

Tyre Size - 4.00 x 32"

Origin - USA, Bodied in Australia.
 

History of car is unknown. Partially restored by prior owner. Maintained by current owner and used for club events. 

Dodge 24T

Dodge - 1924 (24 Tourer)

Make - Dodge Brothers

Year - 1924

Model -

Body - Tourer.

Engine - Dodge 4 cyl, side valve. 212.3 ci (3.5L), 35 hp @ 2,000RPM

Gearbox - 3sp, Non-synchro, Dodge pattern gearshift.

Diff. Ratio - 4:1:1

Wheelbase - 116" (2,946mm)

Brake - Foot - 2 rear wheel, external, mechanical. Hand - Internal on rear wheels.

Weight - 2,631lb (1,650kg)

Wheel - Artillery Wood Spoke

Tyre Size - 4.00 x 32"

Origin - USA, Bodied in Australia.

Originally purchased in 1924/1925 for 300 pounds and still owned within thre same family. 

Shortly after purchase the family moved from Spalding SA (178km North of Adelaide) to Baradine NSW a distance of 2,000km.

The following year the vehicle moved to a 2,000 acre property 20 km from Baradine where the car remains. 

Dodge - 1928 (Victory Six)

Make - Dodge Brothers

Year - 1928

Model - Victory Six

Body - Sedan. 5 Wheel equipped.

Engine - Dodge 6 cyl. side valve, 208 ci. (3.4L) N.A.C.C. Horsepower rating 27.34 58hp @ 3,000RPM

Gearbox - 3sp, Non-synchro

Diff. Ratio - ?:?:1

Wheelbase - 112" (2845mm) Overall length 169.75 inches

Brake - Foot - 4 wheel hydraulic. Hand - On transmission.

Weight - ??lb (1,???kg)

Wheel - Wood spoke artilliary

Tyre Size - 5.50 x 19"

Origin - USA

Dodge - 1929 (Victory Six)

Make - Dodge Brothers

Year - 1929

Model - Victory Six

Body - Sedan. 6 Wheel equipped.

Engine - Dodge 6 cyl. side valve, 208 ci. (3.4L) N.A.C.C. Horsepower rating 27.34 58hp @ 3,000RPM

Gearbox - 3sp, Non-synchro

Diff. Ratio - ?:?:1

Wheelbase - 112" (2845mm) Overall length 169.75 inches

Brake - Foot - 4 wheel hydraulic. Hand - On transmission.

Weight - ??lb (1,???kg)

Wheel - Wire, Budd

Tyre Size - 5.50 x 19"

Origin - USA

Dodge - 1929 (A Roadster)

Make - Dodge Brothers

Year - 1929

Model - DA

Body - Roadster, Australian body by T.J. Richards

Engine - Dodge 6 cyl. side valve, 208 ci. (3.4L). Bore 3.375", Stroke 3.875", N.A.C.C. Horsepower rating 27.34 63hp @ 3,000 RPM, Compression Ratio 5.2:1, 7 main bearing.

Gearbox - 3sp, Non-synchro

Diff. Ratio - 4:7:1

Wheelbase - 112" (2845mm)

Brake - Foot - 4 wheel hydraulic. Hand - On transmission

Weight - 2714lb (1225kg)

Wheel - Kelsey Hayes, Artillery style, timber spoke.

Tyre Size - 5.50 x 19"

Origin - USA

History of this Car

Originally purchased by Dr H J Taylor from Nowra through Hardin and Johnson Country Sales. It was Sold to Erwin Johnson who operated a dairy property with his brother at Gerringong on the south coast of New South Wales. 

The third owner carted milk for the dairy in the early 60’s. He and his son drove the car to various early vintage car meets. They kept the car on the original registration up until the early 70’s. When the registration finally expired the roadster was taken off the road to be restored. 

Present owner completed the restoration in about 2002, and has enjoyed driving the Roadster regularly, and on club outings.

Dodge - 1929 ('29 Victory Six)

Make - Dodge Brothers

Year - 1929

Model - Victory Six

Body - Sedan. 6 Wheel equipped.

Engine - Dodge 6 cyl. side valve, 208 ci. (3.4L) N.A.C.C. Horsepower rating 27.34 58hp @ 3,000RPM

Gearbox - 3sp, Non-synchro

Diff. Ratio - ?:?:1

Wheelbase - 112" (2845mm) Overall length 169.75 inches

Brake - Foot - 4 wheel hydraulic. Hand - On transmission.

Weight - ??lb (1,???kg)

Wheel - Wooden Artillery

Tyre Size - 5.50 x 19"

Origin - USA

Restored in 73/74. Current owner purchased in June 2006.

Dodge - 1929 (DA Roadster)

Make - Dodge Brothers

Year - 1929

Model - DA

Body - Roadster. 6 Wheel equipped.

Engine - Dodge 6 cyl. side valve, 208 ci. (3.4L) N.A.C.C. Horsepower rating 27.34 63hp @ 3,000RPM

Gearbox - 3sp, Non-synchro

Diff. Ratio - 4:73:1

Wheelbase - 112" (2845mm) Overall length 169.75 inches.

Brake - Foot - 4 wheel hydraulic. Hand - On transmission.

Weight - 2,695lb (1,225kg)

Wheel - Wire

Tyre Size - 5.50 x 19"

Origin - USA

Dodge - 1929 (DA Sedan)

Make - Dodge Brothers

Year - 1929

Model - DA

Body - Sedan. 6 Wheel equipped.

Engine - Dodge 6 cyl. side valve, 208 ci. (3.4L) N.A.C.C. Horsepower rating 27.34 63hp @ 3,000RPM

Gearbox - 3sp, Non-synchro

Diff. Ratio - 4:22:1

Wheelbase - 112" (2845mm) Overall length 169.75 inches.

Brake - Foot - 4 wheel hydraulic. Hand - On transmission.

Weight - 2895lb (1316kg)

Wheel - Wire

Tyre Size - 5.50 x 19"

Origin - USA

Restored in 1975. Painted Dodge blue by club owner between 85-95. Mechanically reconditioned and repainted by current owner thereafter. Regularly driven.  

Dodge - 1929 ('29 Victory Six)

Make - Dodge Brothers

Year - 1929

Model - Victory Six

Body - Sedan. 6 Wheel equipped.

Engine - Dodge 6 cyl. side valve, 208 ci. (3.4L) N.A.C.C. Horsepower rating 27.34 58hp @ 3,000RPM

Gearbox - 3sp, Non-synchro

Diff. Ratio - ?:?:1

Wheelbase - 112" (2845mm) Overall length 169.75 inches

Brake - Foot - 4 wheel hydraulic. Hand - On transmission.

Weight - ??lb (1,???kg)

Wheel - Wooden Artillery

Tyre Size - 5.50 x 19"

Origin - USA

Restored in 73/74. Current owner purchased in June 2006.

Dodge - 1929 (DA Tourer)

Make - Dodge Brothers

Year - 1929

Model - DA

Body - Tourer (Phaeton). 5 Wheel equipped.

Engine - Dodge 6 cyl. side valve, 208 ci. (3.4L) N.A.C.C. Horsepower rating 27.34 68hp @ 3,000RPM

Gearbox - 3sp, Non-synchro

Diff. Ratio - 4:2:1

Wheelbase - 112" (2845mm) Overall length 169.75 inches.

Brake - Foot - 4 wheel hydraulic. Hand - On transmission.

Weight - 2,736lb (1,244kg)

Wheel - Wood spoke artilliary.

Tyre Size - 5.50 x 19"

Origin - USA, Australian body by T.J. Richards.

History of this Vehicle

Sold new from Harden & Johnston, Sydney. Delivered 1st Jan 1930 to first owner in Inverell. When purchased by current owner, the vehicle had covered just 18,400 miles.

Car was totally restored by the owner over 5 years.

Dodge - 1929 ('29 Delivery Van)

Make - Dodge Brothers

Year - 1929

Model - Van

Body - 30 cwt delivery van

Engine - Dodge 6 cyl. 208 ci. (3.4L)

Gearbox - 3sp, non-syncro crash box.

Diff. Ratio - 4:5:1

Wheelbase - 112" (2845mm) Overall length 169.75 inches.

Brake - Foot - 4 wheel hydraulic.

Origin - USA, Australian body by Geo Sykes Chatswood.
 

History of this Vehicle

1929 Sold new from Harden & Johnston, Sydney.

Sold in 1966, then again to current owner in 2009

Dodge - 1930 ('DD Roadster)

Make - Dodge Brothers

Year - 1930

Model - Dodge Deluxe

Body - Roadster, Australian body by T.J. Richards

Engine - Dodge 6 cyl. side valve, 208 ci. (3.4L). Bore 3.375", Stroke 3.875" N.A.C.C. Horsepower rating 27.34 63hp @ 3,000 RPM Compression Ratio 5.2:1 7 main bearing.

Gearbox - 3sp, non-syncro.

Diff. Ratio - 4:7:1

Wheelbase - 112" (2845mm)

Brake - Foot - 4 wheel hydraulic. Hand - On transmission.

Weight - 2714lb (1225kg)

Wheel - Kelsey Hayes, wire wheels

Tyre Size - 5.50 x 19"

Origin - USA

History of this Vehicle

A total of 772 Deluxe Roadsters were made by Dodge in 1930. 121 chassies were shipped to Australia.

The body #31294 was constructed by TJ Richards and Sons King of the Road Company located in Adelaide.

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