subject: The History Of Dodge & Chrysler Automotive Products [print this page] To many car enthusiasts a "Ford " is a "Ford" and a "Dodge" is a "Dodge" and certainly a "Chrysler" can only be that brand of vehicle and product. Simple as that. Yet it amazes many and many vintage automotive and truck SUV enthusiasts to discover that the first Model T Ford motor products were built not by Ford , but by the "Dodge Brothers' whose company and automotive firm became the basis of the Chrysler auto and truck industrial empire.
The Ford classic Model T was an instant hit , durable on early American roads and affordable to even Henry Ford's own workers. So the brothers decided to take what they had learned and build things bigger and better. Its always about customer's needs and preferences. Auto markets evolve to fill driver's needs and market niches. In this case the truck market demanded a lighter vehicle a "light truck".
For support of the "fighting men" over there in far off Europe in World War 1 , Dodge - the Dodge Brothers - were asked by the American military procurement board to provide many thousands of truck chassis, half ton trucks and what became the prototypical ambulance models.
The ball had started to roll down the hill with great momentum for industrial empire and factories of the Dodge Brothers; they turned the ambulance into a car by changing the design and everything they had made for the government was quickly redesigned for the market into something else such as cars and trucks.
They then turned to the Graham brothers and entered into an agreement with them that if they supplied the parts the Grahams would build the vehicles in their garages which was agreed upon. The first truck was a 1 and a ton pick-up truck and sold for approximately $1345. 00. Wow! It is always grand to look back and reminisce!
Obviously the history of Dodge has greatly evolved into what we have today. The accessories are endless, there are hundreds of features and the designs are changing every day. Autos and truck products had come down in price greatly but to many workers , American families and companies serious solid automotive products were still out of reach financially. To own a truck or car was the hallmark of almost aristocracy. Everyone has their preference on what they like better rather it is a Dodge or Ford but remember the first car was both; Dodge parts and a Ford name.
by: Terry S Vostor
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