Dodge

Dodge

Dodge and Chrysler brought the domestic convertible back to the roads in the 80s in the form of In the 1960s and 1970s Dodge contributed to America's fascination with high-performance "muscle cars" by manufacturing the 505 Charger Daytonas for stock-car racing and as production cars. Following Chrysler's takeover of the British Rootes Group and Simca of France, and the resultant establishment of Chrysler Europe in the late 1960s, the Dodge brand was used on light commercial vehicles, most of which were previously branded Commer or Karrier, and on pick-up and van versions of the Simca 1100. It continued expanding its line of vehicles, which included the WWII Power Wagon - a vehicle that garnered enough acclaim to continue production a decade after the war.

In 1925, the Dodge Brothers Company was purchased by Dillon, Read & Company, and in 1928, the Chrysler Corporation took over a much larger Dodge Brothers. The "Old Betsy" was their first car, built that year. Thus, in 1914, the Dodge Brothers Motor Vehicle Company was established. After 12 years in this partnership, the Dodge brothers left Ford's company and started their own automobile manufacturing company.

In 1902, impressed by their skills, Henry Ford offered them a one-tenth share in his new automobile company. It wasn't long before the two brothers were approached by Henry Ford. Their bearings and other parts were in demand with the early automobile industry, and they helped design motor parts for early Oldsmobiles. The Dodge brothers, John and Horace, began their careers as bicycle mechanics in their father's shop in Michigan.