John and Horace Dodge established their first machine shop in 1900, and their talents were quickly noticed by several pioneers of the early motor car—Ransom E. Olds and Henry Ford—whose companies bought engines, transmissions, and axles from the Dodge Brothers. By 1913, the brothers realized that they were capable of building their own automobile, a realization that happily coincided with Henry Ford deciding to move production of his cars’ components in-house.

That the Dodge Brothers’ car enjoyed such immediate success upon its 1914 introduction, and that its basic engineering would sell like hotcakes with virtually no changes for over a decade, is a testament to the experience upon which it was built. The brothers knew how to build an automobile that would last, and their car did, becoming famous as a sturdy vehicle that offered superior reliability and would run for years with only the most basic of maintenance.

The 1924 Standard Touring offered here was acquired by Mr. Roy from his longtime friend, John Schramm, of Rockland, Maine, in 2003, and it has remained part of the collection for 12 years. Its former owners included John Colgan Futty, of Maryland, for whom several 1970s registrations are on file, as well as Christopher Eby, of Paradise, Pennsylvania. It is believed to have been in Pennsylvania earlier in its life, as well, as a 1965 registration sticker is still on the windshield!

The car retains its original 91-year-old black paint, including on the fenders, and leather upholstery, with the exception of the front seat cushion. The top, which is solid and usable, is either original or an early replacement. The dashboard also carries its original finish and its original gauges, with lenses that are remarkably clear for their age. Mileage recorded is 6,672, which cannot be confirmed as the original reading but is suggested by the well-preserved condition of the car. There is some surface oxidization underneath the car, with the body being exceptionally solid; the doors close well, and the fenders are in fine shape. All of the expected accessories are present, including disc wheels, the taillight, the original cloisonné badge and motometer for the radiator, and proper tags and finishes under the hood.

That Dodge Brothers cars survived the years better than their contemporaries is a fact, but few have survived so well as this fine original. It wears its factory finishes with pride and would be ideal for AACA HPOF showing or for reconditioning and putting back on the road.