When Horace Elgin Dodge and John Francis Dodge formed the Dodge Brothers Company in 1900, the idea of fast cars was barely on the brothers’ minds. In 1896, Horace was focused on applying for patents for a dirt-resistant bicycle bearing. A year later, in 1897, production was underway at the Evans & Dodge Bicycle Company.
Thankfully, by 1901, the mechanically-inclined brothers would begin their pivot to automobiles. The rest, as they say, is history. In 1903 the brothers entered into a partnership with newcomer Ford Motor Company and set to work manufacturing Ford’s engines and transmissions. In 1914 they branched out on their own and introduced the first Dodge vehicle. 249 Dodges would be built in 1914, and by 1915, Dodge already ranked third among America’s best-selling automakers. From their humble origins in the small town of Niles, Michigan, the Dodge brothers had ditched bicycles and established one of the most successful auto manufacturing companies in the country.
The Dodge brothers both passed away in 1920, but the legend of Dodge would continue to grow. In 1928, the brothers’ family sold the company to Chrysler, and it continues to function as Chrysler’s mid-priced brand today. But despite its continued success, there’s still much about the Dodge brand’s history you might not have known. Just as we did earlier in the year with five little-known Jeep facts, today All American Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram brings you five obscure Dodge facts.
Mechanizing the War Effort
In 1916, Lt. George Patton Jr. led the first mechanized cavalry charge in U.S. Army history. Patton himself drove a Dodge WC57 Command Car, and with the aid of just two additional Dodge vehicles and 15 soldiers, he led the charge against Pancho Villa and eventually vanquished their lieutenants. Over the decades that followed, mechanized cavalry charges would gradually become the norm for the American military. (Their final horse-mounted cavalry charge would take place in the Philippines in early 1942.)
Engineered to Excel
Dodge has always been at the forefront of developing and testing powerful new engines. The first eight-cylinder engine by Dodge was produced in 1930, the same year that Dodge began offering its first factory car radios. Though that engine was discontinued in 1934 during the Great Depression, it was later reinstated in 1952. Then, in 2014, the Dodge Ram 1500 became the first compact pickup to offer a Diesel engine.
One For the Ladies
In 1955 and 1956, Dodge produced the Dodge La Femme, a full-sized automobile designed specifically for women. The La Femme was conceived by Chrysler’s marketing department upon observing that women were taking a more active interest in automobiles in the 1950’s. Therefore, the La Femme was designed to give Dodge a foothold in the women’s automobile market.
To this end, the interior of the La Femme screamed the 1950s’ vision of femininity. 1955 La Femmes featured pink rosebud upholstery on a pale silver-pink background. Each vehicle came with a keystone-shaped, pink calfskin purse outfitted with accessories, including a face-powder compact, cigarette case, lipstick case, and change purse. Furthermore, a compartment on the back of the driver’s seat contained a raincoat, rain bonnet, and umbrella made with the same rosebud fabric. If it all seems a bit much, consumers in the 50’s agreed – the La Femme was not a big seller, and Dodge dropped the line for good in 1957.
The Origin of the “Fratzog” Emblem
From 1962-1976, Dodge’s logo was comprised of three interlocking triangles, a geometrical arrangement dubbed a “Fratzog.” The origins of the emblem’s unique name? Needing a placeholder title in the early 1960’s, one of Dodge’s designers came up with the meaningless moniker “Fratzog” and... it was simply never topped. No one on Dodge’s design team could think of a better name than the Fratzog, which would continue to be used in parts such as steering wheel center hubs until the late 1970’s.
Highs and Lows on the Racing Circuit
Dodge has been part of both racing glory and infamy. Lee Petty put Dodge on the racing map in 1953, when he became the first driver to earn a NASCAR victory for Dodge during a race in Palm Springs, Florida.
But in 1971, the Indianapolis 500 was marred by a crash involving the Dodge Challenger serving as the race’s pace car. Eldon Palmer, a local Indianapolis-area Dodge dealer, lost control of the Challenger at the start of the race. It crashed into a photographer’s stand, injuring 29 people.
Drive a Dodge Today
Here at All American Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, we continue to champion Dodge’s present as we honor its past. Check out our full inventory of new and used Dodge vehicles today, including the 2024 Dodge Hornet GT and the 2024 Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat. From service to parts, All American has everything you need to keep you on the road throughout 2024, as you continue to write your own history.