dbbob

I like baked potatoes, too, but the charcoal buggy and auto heaters were designed to hold burning charcoal "bricks". An adjustable vent allows air to enter the combustion chamber so the burning charcoal doesn't extinguish itself. For years, the Clarke company produced several models. The design works! Here is a description taken from an eBay sale: c.1910 charcoal footwarmer in excellent condition. These were made for horse and buggy and carried over to the horseless carriage. Slide out tray held burning charcoal to keep feet warm. I have had a few of these over the last 40 years but none were anywhere near as nice as this one. Tag reads " No. 11 LEHMAN HEATER mfg. by LEHMAN BROS. NEW YORK". 14" long x 7 1/2" wide x 4 1/2" tall at tallest point.

Mike-- Just wondering . . . Did you ignite the charcoal, or just heat it in the oven? If it's not burning, it won't be very hot!

Scans added to Flickr DB group: 1917 Sales Brochure. --roberto

Rich, Thanks for the photos. I have a few to upload, but my connection down here is too slow right now. --Roberto

1) A fuel filter is a good idea. It will catch water and other gunk before it gets to the carburetor and will give the operator peace of mind. Cut the horizontal fuel line under the car, next to the frame, then attach a simple in-line plastic filter using two short pieces of hose and clamps. 2) I installed these filters on a '21 and a '24 years ago, and they have never given any problem. The four-cylinder creates plenty of vacuum to pull the gasoline through the filter. 3) I bought the cheapest in-line filter available at the local auto supply store (a paper filter enclosed in a transparent plastic bulb with plastic inlet and outlet nipples. I check under the car occasionally to see what has accumulated in the filter and replace as needed. Good luck.

Hello-- I've been following this thread and rooting for you and the old DB. I knew it would start--The old DBs always do; and they give good service if treated with a little respect and common sense. I have a '24 coupe that I rescued from a forgotten corner of somebody's shop and it has brought me lots of joy over the years. I prefer it to the showroom-restored '21 that I spent so much money on. "Problems" with these old cars usually have more to do with the owners and operators than with the vehicles themselves. If you're going out in the southwestern sun, you may want to restore your sunshade. Make an envelope of the material and sew around both sides of the metal frame. No big deal, since it appears that you have all the hardware. And restore the vacuum tank! The first thing I did with my coupe was throw away the electric fuel pump. Let's hear it for the Roaring Twenties! --Roberto

Roger, Thanks for telling it as it is. Your clarification is on target and speaks for a lot of us who have put blood,sweat, and tears (not to mention serious dollars) into genuine restorations of these fine Dodge Brothers vehicles.

I have 3 original photos that show the rear window shade on the '24 DB coupe. All show what appears to be a rectangular pull tab (maybe 1 inch X 2 inches) in the center of the shade. No strings or tassels are visible. One of the photos is dated June, 1924. The photos are small and not close-ups, but I will e-mail a copy, if you wish. --Bob

My coupe only has a scrap of shade left on the roller, so I'm drawing a blank on this one.

I agree. I replaced the standard-sized piston rings on my '24 four-cylinder several years ago, following the conditions set out by Brian. The end result was good compression, decreased oil consumption, and much-improved engine performance. Good luck. --Bob

I put an inline fuel filter on my '24 DB (four cylinder), with no adverse effects. The original vacuum tank works fine with the filter installed; there is no vacuum problem, even with the vacuum operated windshield wiper activated. I cut the horizontal copper fuel line under the car, and installed a cheap paper filter in a transparent plastic case, using two short pieces of hose and small clamps. When I see that water or other sediment has accumulated, I simply replace the filter. I change the filter every year or two and have never had any problems. The same arrangement worked well on a '21 DB I once owned. Good luck. Bob

Thanks for your posts and for the lead for a supplier. Someday soon I hope to replace the rear shade on the '24 coupe. Good luck with your projects. Happy New Year! --Bob

My '24 coupe, too. But is there a source for restoration/replacement?

My '24 business coupe has a hole covered by a sliding plate in the passenger-side firewall. A short pipe extends forward into the engine compartment, directly behind the exhaust manifold. It appears to be an original installation. I fabricated a metal "stove," attached it to the manifold studs, and connected it to the pipe in the firewall with a flexible metal pipe. The engine fan blows air through the stove and over the surface of the exhaust manifold, and warm air enters the car. The contraption is a bit unsightly, but it works reasonably well in below-freezing weather. --Bob

Hello-- This is not necessarily a recommendation, just information to help with your project. In 1999-2000 I did a frame-off restoration of a 1921 DB touring in Connecticut. The restoration included new top, side curtains, and upholstery, all reproduced from the originals. The master upholsterer was Emil Krusinsky of Dragone Classic Motorcars, 1812 Main St., Bridgeport, CT 06604. I was pleased with the quality of his work, though it was expensive for my budget. You might want to speak with George or Manny Dragone, visit their upholstery shop, and talk with Emil if he's still there. Dragone's telephone number is (203) 335-4643. Their website is: www.dragoneclassics.com/home.htm. I'm attaching a photo of the canvas lining, which is a good reproduction of the original. Sorry I can't help much with your project--I'm living outside the U.S.

Hi Rich, I am sending you an image I found in my archives. If you have a digital camera, why not take a photo of the logo from your DB literature, or from your car? Good luck with the show, Bob N.

Here's my opinion: We should keep the Club as it was founded. Dodge Brothers vehicles, like the brothers John and Horace and their company, hold a special place in automotive history. Dodge Brothers cars, the Dodge Brothers Company, and the excellent, ongoing work of today's Dodge Brothers Club all need to be recognized for their unique place in automotive history. More "Dodge" cars in the inventory, additional club members on the roster, or increased dues revenue will not enhance the already noble history of the Dodge Brothers story or make a "better" Dodge Brothers Club. It's true that we're in the 21st century and need to update and promote the Club, but not at the expense of blurring our identity, or that of the Dodge Brothers nameplate. If we want a better club, I suggest that we study the Dodge Brothers story, drive our cars, and keep telling the interesting story of the Dodge Brothers. Trying to tell the story of cars that are far removed from the original vision of the brothers Dodge is something better done by another car club. I am a U.S. citizen, living in Europe. I have a '24 DB coupe that resides in Illinois, and I once owned a '21 touring, which I restored with much help from the Dodge Brothers Club. If I sound biased on this issue, blame the cars.

Steve, I agree. Go for it! A few years ago I picked up a barn fresh, tired looking '21 touring. Today, after much work (fun, really), considerable financial investment, and help from the Dodge Brothers Club, the car is an accurately restored "museum piece" that is driven regularly and enjoyed by all generations. I live in Europe, but the old DB is enjoying a second life in Illinois. Nothing beats these Dodge Brothers vehicles! Your project is worth the time, money, and heartache.

NICE PIX, RICHARD.

Hello Ashley-- A well maintained car and common sense should prevent your becoming CRASHley on the road. I have a 24 DB coupe, which probably weighs a couple hundred pounds more than the touring model, and I drive regularly in traffic, both in the city and the country. The '24 Dodge Brothers, unfortunately, does not have front brakes, but the rear brakes are good-sized and do a reasonably good job of stopping the vehicle, providing you drive at 1920's speeds and use common sense in anticipating stops, especially on descending grades. On the open road, I like to cruise at 40-45 miles (not kilometers)per hour. Fifty mph is FAST, but possible, if the car is in excellent shape and you drive defensively, maintain a good distance from the car ahead, and slow down well in advance of intersections. Operating these cars is much different from operating a modern vehicle, and practice is necessary before taking them into modern traffic. Cars that pass our antiques on the road and then quickly cut back in front of us are a perpetual nuisance and danger. If you intend to drive the '24 DB, make sure you have good brake drums and linings that are not compromised by leaking grease or poor adjustment. Adjust the brakes according to the operator's manual and test them before you hit the road, and you should be fine. Bottom line advice: I say, Go for it! You'll enjoy the excitement of a trip into the automotive past. dbbob

My '24 had the same symptoms last summer. The coil was good and the points were properly adjusted, so I figured it must be the condenser. After I replaced that little critter, it ran perfectly. Good luck!

Whatever one's motives for creating a street rod from an old car, the project radically changes the identity and original purpose of the vehicle. A 1927 Dodge Brothers, once "converted" into a street rod, is no longer a 1927 Dodge Brothers, no matter what you call it. If you build a street rod with fine workmanship, modern features, and good market value, you are not saving an historical vehicle and "putting it back on the road." What you are putting on the road is a personally-designed new creation. The 1927 Dodge Brothers has ceased to exist, and it is disingenuous to call the new creation a '27 DB. In my opinion, street rodders who come to this Forum for help with their projects shouldn't be surprised at the naturally strong reaction of Club members who see the very basis of their hobby (a limited supply of ancient vehicles) threatened. We support preservation and restoration because we value these cars for what they are and were, not for what we can make them into. An original vehicle, restored or not, is a genuine historical object that speaks to us directly from the past. If it is preserved rather than rodded, it will continue to speak accurately to future generations about a world long gone. Hot rods tell a story, too, but their story is more about today's rodders than about the cars of yesteryear.

Frank-- Thanks for the latest posting. Now I see that the car is obviously a coupe, and not a sedan, and it's no earlier than a 1924 model. It is identical to my car, except that it's 80 years newer. I don't have any vintage photos of a '24 coupe, so I was very happy to see yours. Gracias! dbbob

Devona, I don't understand this message. Is this a Dodge Brothers post? What am I missing here?

DC8Guy-- Welcome to the Club and the Forum. I am a 1920's four-cylinder aficionado, so I can't help with your questions about your "modern" vehicle, but I am confident that others in the Club and Forum will be able to address your concerns. The DBC magazine and many Club members will probably be a good resource for you. Please be patient: These cars transport us to an earlier century, when life was slower, the world was less complicated, and (in my opinion) cars were more interesting. These old Dodge Brothers are worth spending the time, trouble, and money necessary to keep them running and original. Best of luck! Congratulations on your "new" car, and best of luck in bringing it back to life. dbbob