| It was November 2001, probably a Tuesday, I was looking through the Colonial when I realized a 1398 Dodge Brothers belonging to Waine Summerfield was for sale. I got a bit enthusiastic with it, I spoke with my wife about it and we agreed to have a look. We arranged a meeting with Waine and we went to see the car the following Saturday. Some Background History of this car. It was originally purchased by a publican in Wellington NSW. It was later sold to Mr Philip Osbourne who drove it for a few years in the Dubbo area. The car was then purchased by Mr Don Primmer of Dubbo who carried out some mechanical work and threw a coat of cream enamel over it. Bill Southwell purchased the Dodge with the intention of carrying out a total restoration. Waine Summerfield bought it in 1985 for $2.500 to Doug Hawkins. Some significant features about the 1938 series: The 1938 Dodge Brothers D-8 was mildly facelifted from 1937. The new radiator grille had narrower strips down the centre. The headlamps were mounted on the mudguards. It was the last model to be produced with a full windscreen (this type of windscreen did not reappear until 1953). 1938 was also the last year the Dodge Brothers badge appeared on vehicles (from 1939 it was called only Dodge). A leaping ram hood ornament was on top of the nose of the cars. Standard equipment included Autolite ignition, hydraulic brakes, single windshield wipers, dual taillights, improved engine mountings, self-lubricating clutch and 16 gallon fuel tank. The all steel body �silent-safety� constructed with insulated roofs made it quieter to ride in on the typical dirt road. Thousands of these cars were used as taxis in all the large cities. DODGE BROTHERS 1938 Sedan 4 Door Trunkback Weight: 1345 Kg / 2967 Pounds Price in 1938: 910 US$ Built: 73 413 Engine: 3.300 cm3 - 87 hp @ 3600 R. P. M. Straight 6 Cyl Gearbox: 3 Speed + Back Traction: Rear Wheel Drive The Dodge brothers were Machinists and cycle makers. They initially built transmissions for olds in 1901 and 1902, then made chassis and engines for Henry Ford in return for a tenth share of his company. They sold their Ford shares for US$ 25 million and in 1914 founded the Dodge Brothers Company. By 1916 the Dodge Brothers Company was the fourth biggest car manufacturer and by 1920 the �dependable� Dodge was second only to Ford. All steel coachwork was adopted from 1916. Stop lamps and anti-theft devices were offered from 1923. The new Senior Six, (our other car), with hydraulic four wheel brakes (standard equipment) appeared in 1927. the Dodge Four was replaced by a cheaper �Victory Six�. In 1928 Chrysler bought the Dodge Brothers Company for US$126 million (the largest transaction in America up to 1928) (Dodge Brothers was four times bigger then Chrysler). A Chrysler-based Straight-eight appeared in 1930, as did a 2.6 litre six. The eight was dropped in1933. We are very happy with our car, we made the Sydney NRMA Motorfeast and the Blue Mountains (520 miles) on Australia day long weekend and recently the falling leaf festival in Tumut (330 miles) without any problems. |
| HISTORY OF MY DODGE BROTHERS D-8 1938 |
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