1935 Dodge DU Sedan

The Dodge brothers had made their fortune supplying Ford with engines and transmissions and such was their reputation that their first automobile, announced in 1914 for the 1915 model year, immediately leapt to third place in the sales race. After building military vehicles in World War I, the Dodge brothers returned to civilian production in 1916, the same year they began exporting cars to Australia, the first local dealership being S.A.Cheney in South Australia. The Dodge's ability to withstand our punishing roads soon gave it a favourable reputation and before long agencies had sprung up in every state. After the takeover by Chrysler in 1928, sales of Dodge cars blossomed and by 1933 the company was the fourth-highest seller on the domestic market. The 1935 model range was restyled, with a narrow radiator grille, streamlined styling and distinctive new 'Century' touring sedans, along with the usual range of coupes, convertibles and roadsters also available. Significant upgrades for 1935 included a synchromatic gearchange, revised front suspension, stronger chassis design and better weight distribution, with the engine and front seats relocated further forward in the chassis frame. The 1935 Dodge had an impressive list of standard features, such as hydraulic brakes, Autolite ignition, an automatic choke, so-called "Finger Tip" steering and a ventilated clutch. Cars were rapidly becoming better equipped and options for 1935 included a radio, clock, cigar lighter and heater, making the Dodge a lot more civilised. As a reliable and very affordable post-vintage tourer, the 1935 Dodge makes a lot of sense - the six-cylinder engine delivers sufficient performance to allow the car to keep up with modern traffic and the brakes are provide adequate stopping power.