Hot Rods Old magazine article for Vandenplas

DB bodies are ridiculously well built! I think they are a lot heavier than comparable Fords so probably were not super popular hot rods back in the day. But later Mopars do make some wicked customs.

 

I am going to bring back this post from the dead because I just came across it.

The early Dodge Brothers open cars we're definitely all steel including the doors and door jams. They are built way better then a model T of the same era, in my opinion they were one of the best built cars of the time period.
I have had 3 of them all in about this exact shape The first two I had when I was a teenager in the '90s, One of them got stolen off the side of my house (I'm still mad about that).
This one I picked up and sold to a buddy about a year ago for what I have paid for it, I found it at an antique store in Ontario California in the back of the place, no one there knew what it was other then it is a "really old car".
My buddy is slowly getting all the parts to make a Hotrod out of it not sure what direction he is going with it other then I believe he acquired a Merc flathead and has found the original windshield in really nice shape.
I believe this one in the photos I posted is/was a 1916 (I can't remember for sure now) but I am positive that the fire wall has a "VIN" number stamped in them facing into the engine compartment.
I have enclosed a screenshot I found somewhere on the internet I don't remember where that explains the body numbers, sorry it appears to be cut off a bit.
If anyone has photos of pre-Chrysler owed Dodge Brothers cars I would love to see them.

 

How about a Dodge bucket for Vandeplas

 

Well, it's not a '16 but it is 1919 or earlier. '16 didn't have cowl lacing. Also numbers in the firewall are not serial numbers, they are Budd body numbers. Serial numbers were only on the frame and also an aluminum plate on the right side of the wood toe board. '14 thru very early '17 had 110" wb. '17-'23 had 114" wb. '24-'27 were 116" wb. The 110" shortness was from the firewall forward. Very short front frame horns with abbreviated inner fenders, short springs and the steering box and rear shackle mount was really jammed together. Nearly every year the frame got more reinforcement and DB changed as the need arose, not by model year alone.
I have a dozen or so DB's. It's a sickness!

Dave

 

@Atomic Reverend Alexander I have front doors if ya need some.

Dave

 

I will ask my buddy if he found them yet I think for some reason he did but I'm not positive but either way thank you.

 

For those interested, the Oct 1969 issue of Hot Rod has a nice '22 Dodge featured in it, I remember it well because that was my very first issue of Hot Rod, purchased for me, along with that month's Car Craft, by my mother. Thanks Mom!