1917 Dodge

John and Horace Dodge were savvy builders of mechanical components at the turn of the 20th century.  Located in Detroit MI, they were in the right business, in the right place, at the right time.  They built engines and transmissions for Eli Olds (Oldsmobile) and then engines, transmissions, and axles for Henry Ford (Ford Motor Company).   Henry Ford made them a deal to build exclusively for Ford in exchange for 10% of the company stock.  By 1913 they realized that Ford was striving to become solely self-producing and the probable end to their association was nigh.  They decided to produce a car of their own.  In 1915 they produced their first such car.  It was a well-planned and well executed vehicle. It had 12 volt starting and generating and a solid welded steel body. (A first for the industry).

Being a no frills 35 HP 4-cylinder car with a three-speed transmission, it was bang-on right for its time.  It had an immediate acceptance as the sturdiest car built in America.  The marketplace loved the car and in the first year some 45,000 cars were produced.  For the next decade few, and quite minor changes were made.  While neither elegant nor exciting, the Dodge was slightly more expensive than a Ford and worth every penny to a large share of buyers.  If you have to drive a lot, especially beyond the city limits, you want something you can trust.  Dodge was the perfect answer.