1941 Dodge Series WC Half-Ton Canopy Express

Horace and John Dodge supplied engines to Henry Ford before producing their first automobile in 1914. Their car was durable with few amenities and powered by a no-nonsense four-cylinder engine. The cars proved their capability during World war I and in General Pershing's Mexican excursion in 1916, putting the United States Army firmly into motorized warfare.

In 1918, the company began producing trucks. A closed panel van was called the Business Car. Even more popular was the Commercial car, a screen-sided model with a full roof and the first incarnation of the canopy express style. The Commercial Car soon found favor with merchants, farmers, and postal carriers. It would continue in production until 1941, having been joined by an open-side canopy model in 1927. The final style of this truck was built in 1947.

The canopy express truck was essentially a pickup with a roof, offering protection from weather and shade from the sun. It also allowed for easy access to goods placed within. The economy and configuration of the truck made it ideal for street vendors and useful for other trades where accessibility was important.

This Dodge Canopy Express Truck is one of the few examples produced prior to the United States' entry into World War II. It is finished in green and black paint with new wood fitted to the truck bed, along with stainless steel strips. Accessories include fog lights, a windshield post spotlight on the driver's side, and bright trim rings on the wheels. It also has an unusual front passenger seat, which was usually omitted on basic models to allow the driver direct access to the cargo area. The roof is fabric-covered.

Under the hood is an inline L-head six-cylinder engine displacing 217.8 cubic inches and offering 85 horsepower. There is a three-speed manual transmission and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes.