Dodge Touring Car

One of the most important cars in the museum. In 1934, the then twenty year old Dodge was bought by P.W. Louwman as the first car in the collection.

One of the most important cars in the museum. In 1934 the then twenty year old Dodge was bought by P.W. Louwman as the first car in the collection. At that time Louwman was the Dodge and Chrysler importer and distributor for the Netherlands, based in The Hague. What makes this car special is the large number of accessories. The Dodge is equipped, among other things, with an inclinometer on the door, electric lighting, a dynastart (a combination of dynamo and starter motor), adjustable fender mirrors, side windows of cut glass, two warning whistles, bumpers (not yet common at the time), two shutoff valves in the exhaust and a so called fat mans steering wheel, a steering wheel that can be slid upward to make it easier for slightly heavier people to get in. There is also a steering lock with a numerical combination mounted on the steering column. This Type 30 is one of the oldest Dodges in the world. It was built in November 1914, the month in which the brothers John and Horace Dodge began producing cars. With this type of car the Dodge Brothers aimed a little higher than the competing Model T Ford, which came across as less rugged and rather plain. New was that the Dodge had a fully metal body, while most cars at that time still had steel panels on a wooden frame.