1923 Dodge Brothers Series 116

The Dodge brothers, John and Horace, were foundry owners, and engine and transmission suppliers to Ransom Eli Olds and then Henry Ford. In 1914, they diversified into automobile manufacturing. Their four-door touring sedan was heavier than the Ford and powered by an L-head four-cylinder engine offering 35 horsepower and backed by a selective sliding three-speed transmission. It had floor shift controls, two-wheel mechanical brakes, a 12-volt electric system, and demountable wood spoke wheels. The wheelbase measured 110 inches and carried a welded all-steel body. Pricing began at just under $800. Over the next decade, the well-built Dodge changed very little, apart from a couple of extensions in wheelbase length.

The Dodge Brothers automobile was immediately popular and served in World War I and with General Pershing in Mexico.

By 1920, Dodge was second only to Ford in United States automobile sales. This quickly changed when both brothers died in 1920, and the firm went into decline, falling to 13th place in the U.S. rankings by 1928. The widows were tired of running the company and sold out to Dillon, Read & Co., a New York banking firm, on April 30th of 1925. Walter P. Chrysler acquired the Dodge Company three years later.

Mr. Chrysler was seeking a less-expensive alternative to his upmarket Chryslers, and after only a year under his control, Dodge had risen to 5th place in manufacturing. By this point in history, Dodge was offering its first six-cylinder car, and the last examples of the 'Fastest Four in America' would be built for the 1927/1928 (Series 128 and 129) model year. A distinguishable feature of the Series 129 was its four-wheel hydraulic brakes.

The 1923 Dodge models were introduced in June of 1922. There were five Standard trim level body styles and four Custom trim level body styles. The entry-level Standard line consisted of a roadster priced at $850, a 4-door touring, sedan, business coupes, and a business sedan. The Custom trim level was comprised of a 7-passenger sedan, a close-coupled coupe, and a depot wagon.

The 1923 Dodge introduced the first all-steel bodies and the business coupe was the first to be fitted with this feature. The Type B four-door sedan with Spanish leather upholstery also had an all-steel body, and was introduced in September. Closed-bodied cars were given mohair upholstery.

New features for 1923 included a removable rear seat and front seats that were hinged, allowing them to fold forward. This foldable hinge would be used until 1926.

Dodge placed sixth in U.S. sales in 1923. In addition to the Series 116 vehicles, Dodge produced 6,971 Dodge/Graham Brothers trucks and several funeral vehicles.

by Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2020