Dodge, circa 1915-2009, undated
Part of collection: Z. Taylor Vinson collection of transportation ephemera (20100108-ZTV)
Dates
- Creation: circa 1915-2009
- Creation: undated
Scope and Content
This subseries documents Dodge, which was built by Dodge Brothers of Detroit, Michigan (1914-1928) and the Dodge Division of Chrysler Group LLC, which was located in Highland Park, Michigan (1928-1992) and Auburn Hills, Michigan (1992-Present).
Founded by John and Horace Dodge in 1900, the firm was originally a manufacturer of engines and axles for other Detroit area automakers. The Dodge Brothers started manufacturing automobiles in 1914 and is credited with building the first mass produced car with an all-steel body. Both John and Horace Dodge passed away in 1920 and the company changed hands many times before being purchased by Walter P. Chrysler in 1928.
When Chrysler bought Dodge Brothers, it was originally intended to be the low-priced brand in the Chrysler product lineup. But when Chryseler introduced the Plymouth line in 1928, Dodge Brothers was bumped up into a medium-priced bracket alongside DeSoto. Chrysler changed the line's name to Dodge in 1928 and it remains in the Chrysler Group LLC's lineup to this day. Dodge is presently Chrysler's maker of low-priced and performance cars.
This subseries is strong in representing Dodge's car models, but lacks materials for Dodge's passenger truck models. Caution - Materials filed under Trade Catalogs: Specific Models and Trade Catalogs: Various Models from the 1990's tend to be resistant to opening or stuck shut. See also Chrysler, DaimlerChrysler, DeSoto, Dodge, Eagle, Imperial, Jeep, Mitsubishi, and Plymouth.
General Physical Description note
12.75 boxes; 1.75 boxes oversize; 2 folders
Extent
From the Series: 625 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Additional Description
Access Restrictions
Vinson’s manuscript A Collector’s Life: An Autobiography, included in Series XIII, is closed to researchers until 2035.
Repository Details
Repository Details
Part of the Published Collections Repository