Hi all,

Having spent the last year restoring my 31' (?) DK8 here in Ireland it was destroyed in a fire last sunday. The cabin was burnt out but the motor and running gear were saved.

I dont really want to split the car up for parts and I dont have the heart to re-restore it, I would prefer to sell it to someone to put the time in to save it.

IF you would like more information please email me.

Yours truly,

Pat Feeney,
Galway,
Ireland.

b

Sorry to read of your misfortune. That is a very rare model. I encourage you to try to restore it again. A discouraging setback but certainly not hopeless.

I have seen worst than that restored.

That's sad! It's easy for us to say, but it doesn't look that bad. I'm thinking that's about the ultimate DB!

Hi all, Thanks for the kind words. The problem is that I am living in Ireland and it is really difficult to locate parts and skilled people here. I have also restored a 1934 Packard 1101 Club Sedan and a 1927 Buick. I must say the DB was my favorite, it was like it rolled off the line, even better I would imagine! Anyway I wont be restoring it again, but I will try to sell it 'as is' and if not there will be a supply of parts, including a orignal drivers handbook on the market.
Can anyone tell me how many DK8's were built and how many still exist?

Thanks,

Pat Feeney.
Galway.
Ireland.

More images, before and after....bb

My book says it's a 1932 model car called the 'New Eight'. Production started Nov. 1931 for Jan. 1932 introduction. There were 16,901 sixes made but only 6,187 eights of all body styles. The 8s are on 122 inch wheelbases. There were 4422 four door 5 passenger sedans made which is what yours is and they were pricey at a basic $1145. The wooden wheels are extras as are the side mounts and tires and rear trunk and mount. It most likely went for around $1200 to $1300, a lot of money in the Depression.
I'll look around a few lists of existing Dodges and see if I find any DK8s. I've personally never seen one in the flesh in 30 odd years of restoring/collecting.
I agree with the other guys.It really isn't that bad. We've all restored far worse. Are you getting any insurance money?

I had supper and then dug out the rosters. There are no DK8s in the Historical Automobile Club of Canada, none in the Antique and Classic Car Club of Canada but there are 5 registered in the Dodge Brothers Club out of Michigan. (This is their site.)All are 4 door sedans like yours. One of the DK8s is a Canadian built vehicle with a 9 million serial number and resides in Trenton Ont. One has an American serial number but lives in Cardiff NSW Australia. The other 3 are in the U.S. with American serial numbers. That makes 6 known including yours but there is still the WPC Club in California to hear from. I can't see any more than 2 or 3 coming out of the woodwork in any case so I would say maybe 10 DK8s exist. Any arguments?

Thanks for the information. I had no idea the DB was that rare. As far as an insurance valuation goes, the company involved may as well be looking into the back of a television set! It is a very small market here for such cars, so the insurance company has no idea what to value it at. Would anyone know what a DK8 in fully restored condition (pre-fire)would be worth?

Thanks for the information. I had no idea the DB was that rare. As far as an insurance valuation goes, the company involved may as well be looking into the back of a television set! It is a very small market here for such cars, so the insurance company has no idea what to value it at. Would anyone know what a DK8 in fully restored condition (pre-fire)would be worth, and what is it worth in its present condition, either for parts or restoration?

Many thanks,

Pat Feeney,
Ireland


Edited by Dodge Ireland (07/24/08 05:44 AM)

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Pat, I know it's too late for this DB, but you really need to check into antique car insurance. Companys here in the states let you insure them for a stated amount, which controls your premiums. Most require an apprasal over $20,000, as your DB surely would have been. They would have the appraised amount for a total lose. I would hope one of them would write a policy for you over there.

Dear Pat, I am sorry about your loss. here in the states that car in that comdition would go for $20.000 easy. maybe, $25,000 is not out of the question.

after the fire it would probably go for 7 or $8,000. dollars US.

PS. if you want help restoring the car, there are plenty of folks in the DB club that would be happy to help.

we can give you many contacts for parts and even send parts too.

Don't give up ! This is what the Dodge Brothers Club is for.

Email me at: mark.ounan@us.army.mil or call anytime 202-297-3532
What ever you decide, GOOD LUCK Mark Ounan

I have a DK8 sedan, which is a 1932 model Dodge. Several years ago I contacted a company which searches motor vehicle records in the USA to find out how many are left. The reply was 13 sedans are still registered in the US at that time. Since then I have seen pictures of about 9 of them and at least 5 were modified into street rods. No one knows how many are stored in garages or barns and not registered. I don't imagine there are very many though. Interestingly the 6 and 8 share the same body, different garnish mouldings, different color gauges - but from the firewall back the bodies are basically the same. I don't know if the outside door handles are the same or not - I'd like to find out...I think mine might have '32 Desoto handles on it - or maybe not?

Larry

Pat, That is a really sad and unfortunate situation. Most of us know about the blood sweat and tears that go into restoring a car....especially a rare one like this. Do you know what caused the fire? If you'd be willing to share with us, it may help somebody else in avoiding a similar disaster. I hope no one was injured and the damage was not spread to your home.

Larry