1915 Dodge Brothers Touring

edited by David Barth, 15 March 2009.
Courtesy Antique Car Museum of Iowa at 860 Quarry Road, Coralville, Iowa, 52241 USA.
Photos were taken in March 2009.

The Dodge Brothers of Detroit, Michigan decided to go into competition with Henry Ford in 1913 and by the end of 1914 they had produced an automobile. They had been parts manufacturers and stockholders in Ford Company for many years.

The 1915 Dodge shown here is a four-door touring which rides on a 110 inch wheelbase. It has a four-cylinder engine that produces 35 horsepower and is notable for a reverse-H shifting pattern. Dodge spent a lot of time constructing the first models and kept the basic design for 10 years.

Standard equipment included windshields, leather seats, folding tops, a 12-volt electric system, electric self-starter, speedometer, and demountable tire rims. Options included a windshield wiper and side curtains. The original cost was $785. The model on display has a new top and side curtains, but is basically in original condition.

The Dodge Brothers took two years testing their automobile before introducing it to the public in 1914. During that year, 370 cars were produced.