John F. and Horace E. Dodge, sons of a Niles Michigan machinist, moved to Detroit at the turn of the century, briefly produced transmissions for Ransom E. Olds, and beginning in 1903, became the major suppliers of drive trains to the Ford Motor Company.On February 23, 1903 the Dodge brothers formally agreed to supply Henry Ford with 650 chassis (including engines, transmissions, and axles) for $250 each, thus beginning a profitable, but stormy relationship between the two firms that would last until 1914.
They built the first Dodge in November 1914 and the new car was an instant success. (See brothers above in a photo of them in the first 1914 Dodge) When the Dodge brothers died in 1920, they employed 22,000 workers and produced 140,000 automobiles per year. Dodge Brothers Company remained an independent firm until 1928, when it became a major division of the fledging Chrysler Corporation.
Henry and Emma Smith DeVoe were proud Dodge Brothers owners. In November 1925 they took possession of their new 1926 Dodge Brothers Business Sedan. (See photo above taken in front of their Tacoma home "Villa DeVoe.")“Having owned a Dodge Brothers car previously they thought they knew all the fine points about it, but they were agreeably disappointed when they rolled away in their 1926 model to find such wonderful riding comfort, beauty and style.”
In 2010 Dave and Cheryl Teifke purchased a 1926 Dodge Brothers sedan for restoration. Come to the Book Signing Party and DeVoe Mansion Tour on June 18th and see an authentic 1926 Dodge Brothers Business Sedan in the restoration process. You will see for yourself how this beautiful old car is getting a new lease on life. Once finished the DeVoe Mansion will once again be home to a lovely 1926 Dodge Brothers Business Sedan.
This photo shows the car before the restoration work began a year ago.
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