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1915 Dodge Brothers Model 30-35

The Dodge Brothers went from being the world's largest supplier of automobile parts to a very successful independent automobile manufacturer. The first Dodge automobile rolled out of the factory in November of 1914 and 370 examples were built by year's end. Initially offered solely as a touring car, a roadster joined the list the following year. The 110-inch wheelbase was powered by a four-cylinder engine with an L-head design, a 212.3 cubic-inch displacement, solid valve lifters, four main bearings, and delivering 35 horsepower at 2,000 RPM. The engine was backed by a three-speed selective sliding transmission with floor shift controls, 'back-to-front' gear change, and enclosed heat-treated vanadium gears. It used a 12-volt electrical system, electrical lighting, and an electric self-starter. A generator and starter were driven by a silent chain.

The price for the touring car was $785 in 1914 and remained unchanged for 1915. The roadster also listed for $785. Both body styles came with leather seats, folding tops, speedometers, windshields, and demountable wheel rims. The Roadster had a slanted rear deck with a storage compartment and a spare tire carrier. The Touring car weighed approximately 2,200 pounds, and the roadster slightly less, this due to the all-steel bodies by Budd (America's first mass-produced automobile with an all-steel body).

With approximately 45,000 examples produced during the year, Dodge ranked third among America's automakers.

by Dan Vaughan

Tourer by Budd of Philadelphia

In what must have seemed like an overnight transformation, the Dodge Brothers' went from being the world's largest supplier of auto parts to a highly successful independent automobile manufacturer. John and Horace Dodge introduced their vehicle in November, 1914. The 'Dodge Main' plant in Detroit suburb of Hamtramck turned out 249 Dodge cars before the end of the year. The following year, the company produced 45,000 vehicles, catapulting Dodge into third place in the company's first complete year as a full line automobile manufacturer.

John and Horace Dodge introduced their eagerly anticipated car in November 1914. Before the end of the year, the highly integrated Dodge Main plant in the Detroit suburb of Hamtramck had turned out 249 Dodge cars. The company produced 45,000 vehicles in 1915, catapulting Dodge into third place in the industry in its first full year as a full-line automobile manufacturer.

The Dodge vehicle had several innovative features, such as the first mass-produced, all-steel body. 'The Dependable Dodge' delivered the quality and durability the company promised, and at an affordable and competitive price.

Sadly, John and Horace Dodge both died of influenza in 1920. Eight years later, the company was purchased by Walter P. Chrysler.

This 1915 Touring Car is powered by an L-head four-cylinder engine offering 35 horsepower. There is a three-speed manual gearbox and two-wheel externally contracting, mechanical brakes. In 1915, this vehicle had a base price of $785.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster by Budd of Philadelphia

A rare car in body style, as Dodge produced very few roadsters. This particular model was popular with doctors of the period. A novel feature is the combined generator and starter driven by silent chain. The Dodge weighs 2,250 pounds, owing to the fact that it was the FIRST car to have an all-steel body. The four-cylinder, water-cooled, gasoline engine produces approximately 35 horsepower. This Roadster was produced by Dodge Brothers, Inc. of Detroit, Michigan, and had an original cost of $785.