1919 DODGE BROTHERS TOURING CAR

[f1ford48]

Built from a similar year REO. 1/18 scale die cast.

[bbowser]

That is awesome!  I take it the blue one is where it started?  How about some details on the conversion?

[1930fordpickup]

Looks very nice. Not a subject you see often. 

[Phildaupho]

An oldie but a goodie. I really enjoy seeing models of unusual vintage vehicles. Well done.

[CometMan]

Very Well done!

[Spex84]

Definitely unique and unusual subject matter! Very nice result too.

I don't know much about early REO or Dodge, so I find it hard to see what you modified!

[Cpt Tuttle]

I really can't say that I am an expert on the subject, but it looks convincing!

[f1ford48]

Thanks guys-  I did this because I could not find a scale version any where. these are authentic dodge colors-kind of like the model T -they came in black however they had blue artillery spoke wheels prior to 1920s.  many Dodge touring cars have survived because of the fact that they had an all steel Bud body-no termite problems.

Reo was related directly to Oldsmobile-   REO stands for Ransom E. Olds.  so the light blue car in the last photo is what I started with- I saw a similarity in the body style-however the 2 car companies were not related at all [.as far as I know]

for the conversion I stripped the wheels.added hubcaps and repaint-Man o Man  the paint is tough to strip on these diecast cars-I finally had to soak the wheels in Lacquer thinner and wash immediatly to stop the plastic from melting!!!   the Reo radiator shell was pointed on the top tank so that was filed down flat and the Dodge Star  badge  added.the louvers were filed off the hood and the headlight bar deleted and the headlights raised, buckets painted. the steering wheel came from an old Aurora 1/16  Stutz kit.the taillight was moved to center of the spare and a period Cal. plate added. whole car was disassembled and painted black- the interior was too hard to remove so it was masked. the car seems to be more like 1/16 scale standing next to similar scale cars..

below are a few pics I used for reference on the build-I am glad at least a few builders were interested in this- 

Edited March 19, 2017 by f1ford48

[f1ford48]

Just for fun -and little known today.....Dodge Bros touring cars were the first automobiles used in US combat.the year was 1916 when Pancho Villa raided a Small New Mexico town.

Villa was assassinated in Parral Mexico in 1923 in a similar Dodge touring car. the car is still on display in Chihuahua Mexico.

to see how tough these Automobiles were go to youtube and check out OIL FIELD DODGE.

[RAMBENNA]

great job , looks awesome

[CometMan]

Technically speaking, Frank, there was no direct connection between the Dodge Brothers and REO. But, Ralph Vail, the head designer at Dodge Brothers in those days, had been with Olds Motor Works before leaving for Dodge. (and Ransom Olds leaving to start REO) Which might explain the strong resemblance between the two.

[slusher]

Great looking model....

[Eric Macleod]

This is my kind of model. Thank you for sharing it with us. You have done well with this. Any chance you have a 1:1 in your garage?

[f1ford48]

Eric- I wish I did- seems like a better car than the Model T.             and Thanks to Craig for more info on the REO / DODGE  History- it seems all the auto companies are related in some form or another.