1920 Dodge Brothers Model 30 Speedster

The period between 1910 and 1930 was referred to as 'The Golden Age of Racing.' It embraced the 'Roaring Twenties,' which was literally that as roaring cars raced on tracks made of dirt and wood. Initially races were between production cars. As racing moved into the teens, the cars were cut down or otherwise modified for increased performance.

Horace and John Dodge founded a precision machining company in Detroit in 1900 and quickly found work producing engine and chassis components for Olds Motor Vehicle and Ford Motor Company among others. They were very successful and built a strong reputation for quality. So not surprisingly their decision in 1914 to introduce their first Dodge car, the Model 30, complete with the industry's first all-steel body, 12-volt electrical system and a sliding gear transmission, met with much success. By 1916 they were second in U.S. sales.

With the tragic death of both brothers in 1920, the company passed into the control of investment bankers and was then acquired by Chrysler in 1928. In addition to building complete cars, Dodge also sold chassis with an engine, cowl and fenders for use by custom body builders.

This car is the only example of this style of speedster in existence and its early ownership is unknown. It made have been built by a dealer as a promotional tool. It had been equipped in a manner allowing it to compete over long distances and on different surfaces. It is equipped with an early 1920s Roots-type supercharger with a pressurized fuel system and auxiliary oil tank. It has a four-cylinder engine displacing 212 cubic-inches. It was discovered as a 'basket case', but complete with the supercharger and gauges.

This car is believed by Dodge experts to be a custom-built speedster rather than a re-bodied car. While the chassis and engine were manufactured in 1920, the car has parts produced as late as 1925. It may have been built by a dodge Brothers dealer as a promotional car.

The car has been carefully restored to its original yellow hue and authentic brass trim.