Estate Sale Find: 1919 Dodge Brothers
Up for auction in New York State, this early Dodge Brothers pickup is a rather special vehicle to have survived two World Wars, and the second World War’s scrap drives. With some spares and a very solid body, this would be a sweet parade ride for sure! Bidding on this artifact has risen to $1,135.00. Take a look at this truck here on eBay out of Utica, New York. Thanks to Fred H. for this great century old submission!
The 35 horsepower 4 cylinder engine apparently turns over via the starter, which is a promising start to this old truck. The engine appears to be complete, and there is no heavy rust or oxidation present on the engine itself. I imagine with some fresh fluids and some tinkering that this engine could probably thump right along to its own beat.
Although the wooden floors are not in place, there are some cool features in this Dodge. First of all is the flip away steering wheel is a sweet accessory to ease to getting in and out of this old Dodge. Also the dash mounted clock is a nice accessory as well. The leather carriage seat is still in place, but the seat bottom is a bit rough. Make some card board templates for the floors, and get this thing driving again.
The body is surprisingly straight for a 99 year old car. I would guess that the body has been spray painted in some areas, and there is some visible surface rust. There might be some rot along the passenger side rocker, but it is difficult to see. The fenders and running boards are nice, really making this project a crisp start to a 99 year old driver. In the bed are a few spares, and the convertible top frame. A great start to a historic brand, would you take on this Dodge Brothers pickup?
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Comments
All it needs is a HEMI(everything needs a HEMI)
You meant LS pal..lol at the hemi 2 bolt main
Maybe one of those little Yanmar diesels & hydr drive ( via john deere mowers ) ! hook the throttle up the steering wheel lever, and one forward/ reverse pedal.
hose off the body & go
Didn’t the first world war end in 1918?
I pointed that out in my post back on the 24th, but apparently the writers rarely read the comments…..
Correct Brian, this 1919 Dodge 4-door could not have survived WWI as the war ended on Nov. 11, 1918 — BEFORE this car was built. Eh hem. Also, I’m surprised BF did not look at the photos before posting. This car is obviously not a “pickup truck”, but a converted 4-door touring car. The rear door sills are clearly seen in the photos. The rear box was likely created in 1930s during the Great Depression when many old cars were converted into pickups and farm implements. Also “Okie wagons”. In Canada, many 1900s – 1920s cars had engines removed and turned into horse-drawn “Bennett buggy”. The “truck” featured in the 1960s “Beverly Hillbillies” TV show was such a vehicle. The BH “truck” is a converted 1921 Oldsmobile Model 43-A touring car — a car converted into a truck / flatbed.
I agree with your comments. I need the wheel parts for a Dodge identical to those shown. I have the rest of a 1919 touring car and I can buy the tires new. Frank Braunlich [email protected]. These are great cars, 12 Volt system and all steel body
That would be a fun one to take on an occasionial drive to the hardware store.
It looks like a four door cut off and turned into a pickup. It is still an interesting ride.
Looks like a cut down touring body to me.
World War I ended in 1918 so this technically didn’t survive two world wars as stated….
Do like everyone else. Swap a LS into it.
Dang…if it was only a Chevy….wait those were scrapped….sorry.
This car is absolutely awesome. I have never driven a pre-war car so to drive this would be a dream come true. Those engines will last forever.
This looks like it could be parade ready in about two weeks. Too bad a new set of tires will cost as much as the car itself.
It’s all good. It’s a dodge.
This is definitely a touring car cut down into a truck. The right side view confirms this. I had bought a ’21 that was cut down to make a lakes roadster. Mine was on a rectangular tube. home made frame with later Ford drive train and suspension. A really neat suicide front axle. I never got it finished, just beyond my abilities at the time. Cut down touring cars were the really low buck way to start a rod project build, back in the day. The guy I sold it to did get it up and running.
I’m surprised no one picked up a banjo ! It would be perfect to make a copy of the Beverly Hillbies car out of !
I can picture Grannies sittin’ on top, though I’d really rather see Ellie Mae sittin’ there. Weee doggie!
The Beverly Hillbillies car was a 1921 Oldsmobile converted into a truck.
(different Ken, BTW).
This is a touring car with the original body removed behind the front seat and a wooden box installed. It was probably modified in the 1930’s or 1940’s by a farmer who purchased a replacement family car and needed a pickup. This car either has no title or the title the seller has is wrong. This is a 1921 or later Dodge Brothers car, not a 1919. Dodge Brothers had a major redesign for the 1921 model year. There is a big difference in looks between the old and new designs.
Right you are. The fenderline is wrong for a ‘19. Dodge made great pickups, but this isn’t one of em.
jcs is on it here. I think it’s a ’23 cut down Tourer. This was very common practice during the Great Depression when trucks were needed and money was in short supply.
Roy Chapman Andrews, the man who made many discoveries of prehistoric fossils on expeditions in the Gobi Desert from the late Teens into the Thirties, used Dodge vehicles exclusively. In his autobiography he said it was because they just kept going under any conditions and didn’t fall apart. What he didn’t say, and I didn’t know at the time, was that Dodge Brothers cars were among the very few that were of all-steel construction, which makes me suspect that the wood floorboards in this might be a later patch-up.
I suspect that the cars most likely to be collected for scrap would have been the serious gas hogs, the V12s and V16s that spent the war up on blocks, and the cheaper ones that were simply worn out. Now ask me why I’m not surprised that this engine will still turn with the starter … that durability, plus the relative fuel economy, would have made this a good car to have during gas rationing.
My ex’s 1938 Plymouth pickup and my son’s 1940 Dodge pickup have wooden floors. Both are restored to new condition, also the 39 Plymouth parts truck has the remnants of the original wood floor. Not sure when they went to steel floors but after my 1970’s floors got tin worm holes kinda wish they had kept the wooden ones. LOL
Good platform for a great project! I am to old to try it, but I would if I could get around good enough! Still struggling from that heart attack I had!
not a big drive from Brooklyn. Should be in a museum
My ex’s 1938 Plymouth pickup and my son’s 1940 Dodge pickup have wooden floors. Both are restored to new condition, also the 39 Plymouth parts truck has the remnants of the original wood floor. Not sure when they went to steel floors but after my 1970’s floors got tin worm holes kinda wish they had kept the wooden ones. LOL