Londontaxi Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 Hello.My name is Lothar, I'm from Germany and in this forum first time.About 10 years ago I've bought this 1928 (??) Dodge in Namibia, brought it to Germany and build it up (roof / interior).The car is driving and it is big fun to be on the road.My problem is only: I have no kind of documentation or specification. I only know it is a 4 cylinder engine. But what are the technical specification? Is there a repair manual available? Where to get spare parts if I need ?I'm looking forwart wether someone can help me to go a step further.Thank you Lothar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete K. Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 Hello Lothar, That's a fine looking Dodge you have there. Your serial number of that car should be on the identification plate AND on the frame behind the front right wheel. At least the "U.S.A. cars" had the number on the right frame member. If you download the parts catalog you will be able to match up your number to the production list you will see. This one catalog is; myersearlydodge.com. They sell parts for 1914 - 1930 Dodges. Also, try Romar, Inc. Vern Barker runs it and his E-mail is; sales@romardb.com. His phone # is (814)-827-7601. Reprint manuals are available and worth the money! Good luck Lothar, Pete. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
countrytravler Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 Would that car be a 128 series? If so, i have a Operations and care book along with many parts. Nice looking car. Thanks Dave.:cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Londontaxi Posted November 12, 2012 Author Share Posted November 12, 2012 Thank you Pete. I'm in Brazil for the next two weeks. After return I will surch for the serial number. I'll come again. Lothar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Londontaxi Posted November 12, 2012 Author Share Posted November 12, 2012 Thank you Dave. I'm going to find the serial number and come back again. Lothar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete K. Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 Don't get kidnapped by any Amazon's while in Brazil Lothar. I hear they're very big. The frame number on your Dodge may be a real bugger to find. They were usually stamped very lightly and located right near and above the aft spring hanger of the front right spring. You may need a bit of sandpaper to get to the numbers---I did. Enjoy your trip!, Pete. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R.White Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 Welcome to the forum Lothar. We are a happy band of guys who like to share what we know about Dodge Brothers cars. 'London Taxi' is an interesting signature - how did you choose it? Ray. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Londontaxi Posted November 14, 2012 Author Share Posted November 14, 2012 Welcome to the forum Lothar. We are a happy band of guys who like to share what we know about Dodge Brothers cars. 'London Taxi' is an interesting signature - how did you choose it? Ray.Hi Ray. A Londontaxi was my first "OLDTIMER". I bought it during a businesstrip in England and drove it home to Germany. Was not a real oldtimer but was the first car I wanted to have. Here it is.I love it. Lothar Londontaxi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machinist_Bill Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 Welcome Lothar! Are you originally from Germany? Only reason I ask is because of the "th" in your spelling.Beautiful Car! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Londontaxi Posted November 14, 2012 Author Share Posted November 14, 2012 Welcome Lothar! Are you originally from Germany? Only reason I ask is because of the "th" in your spelling.Beautiful Car!Yes I'm German. I know my English is not good. But tell me what is funny with the "th". Is this a typical German mistake?:confused: Lothar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machinist_Bill Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 Nothing funny at all! I didn't think the German language had a "th" pronunciation. Example is Arthur in English but Artur in German. Sorry I got off topic here......Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R.White Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 (edited) While we are off topic, Lothar; you should keep hold of that old London taxi cab because the company making them has just gone bust. End of an icon sad to say. Like the late lamented Routemaster bus, they were designed for the London streets and before long people will be saying "do you remember those brilliant taxis? " Ray.(A word to the wise, Lothar, your car should be described as a 'touring' in the States and a 'tourer' in my country. A 'sedan' is an American word for a closed car which we over here would be called a 'saloon'.) Edited November 14, 2012 by R.White (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Machinist_Bill Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 A 'sedan' is an American word for a closed car which we over here would be called a 'saloon'.)I like our description of "Saloon" better than yours Ray. It must be the German in me........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R.White Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 That is fair comment, Bill. Perhaps the word sedan derives from the sedan chair? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Londontaxi Posted November 16, 2012 Author Share Posted November 16, 2012 Nothing funny at all! I didn't think the German language had a "th" pronunciation. Example is Arthur in English but Artur in German. Sorry I got off topic here......BillHi Bill. You are talking about the "th" in my name. I even did'nt see it:confused:. We have it - like Günther, Walther..., Lothar but do not pronunce it. Sorry for that. Lothar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Londontaxi Posted November 16, 2012 Author Share Posted November 16, 2012 Thanks. I call it 'touring' from now on. Lothar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest danceswithpumps Posted November 16, 2012 Share Posted November 16, 2012 Willkommen, Lothar. Schoenes Auto! Glad you found this site. There are many very knowledgeable guys here to help you with your car. Maybe I can help you explain the spelling of your name. German words that have a "th" combinations are pronounced as if there is only a "t". The "h" is silent. Hi Bill. You are talking about the "th" in my name. I even did'nt see it:confused:. We have it - like Günther, Walther..., Lothar but do not pronunce it. Sorry for that. LotharI hope this helps.Rod van Pelt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Londontaxi Posted April 24, 2013 Author Share Posted April 24, 2013 Hello Pete; Hello Forum Members.Sorry for my silence so long time. I travelled so much so I could not follow your recomendations to find the chassis number.So I stripped the paint completely to the steel in the mentioned area, but no numbers:confused:Any idea what else I can do? I have an engin number.Best regardsLothar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 1930 Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 You might try the opposite side same place, you may also find them in this area directly above where you have cleaned, unfortunately to see this would mean removing the fenders.We have noticed alot of inconsistency with export vehicles and no-one seems to have the answers why Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert b Posted April 24, 2013 Share Posted April 24, 2013 Hello Pete; Hello Forum Members.Sorry for my silence so long time. I travelled so much so I could not follow your recomendations to find the chassis number.So I stripped the paint completely to the steel in the mentioned area, but no numbers:confused:Any idea what else I can do? I have an engin number.Best regardsLothar[ATTACH=CONFIG]190055[/ATTACH]From the picture posted you need to clean more above the shackle of the spring, the numbers should be about 20 mm high and a spacing of about 20 to 30 mm apart and some times these are lightly stamped making hard to read.From the picture your car could be 126 series of 1927, where is your distribuitor and do tou have seperate starter and generator.regards bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Londontaxi Posted May 5, 2013 Author Share Posted May 5, 2013 Hello All and thank you. Finaly I got it. I cleaned a few millimetres more back and there it starts. Bad news: Very light and not really to identify.Can be the following numbers:557-112567-112337-112357-112537-112Now I'm somehow lost what to do next. Any idea?The distributor is on the right side.Many thanks again and best wishesLothar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert b Posted May 6, 2013 Share Posted May 6, 2013 Hello All and thank you. Finaly I got it. I cleaned a few millimetres more back and there it starts. Bad news: Very light and not really to identify.Can be the following numbers:557-112567-112337-112357-112537-112Now I'm somehow lost what to do next. Any idea?[ATTACH=CONFIG]191705[/ATTACH]The distributor is on the right side.Many thanks again and best wishesLotharLother there should be a letter A before the 6 numbers , now if your numbers start with A 55- --- than it could be a 26 series and if they start with A 33- --- than it could be a 25 series , you may have to clean the frame back more to find the letter A . what is your engine number , they are usally are about 50 000 ahead of the the frame number, this may give us a clue to your car date .regards Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1936 D2 Posted May 6, 2013 Share Posted May 6, 2013 When trying to read lightly stamped frame numbers, my experience is to completely clean the paint off of the area with chemicals. (That way you are not altering the numbers by scratching too deeply with either metal tools or course sand papers.) It sounds like you are now at a point where you should start using very fine sandpapers with a stiff flat block behind the sheet. The object at this point is to practically polish the area to as close to a mirror finish as possible. As you work on the area, alter the direction you are moving the sandpaper. Don't always rub in the same direction. That could add lines making the actual numbers hard to read. You could also consider using a polishing compound like what is used to prepare metal before plating. Those techniques will help make the area of the number very smooth and then just the stamped numbers will tend to show. Also, try lighting from very low angles and from different directions. This could also help you see the difference in the canyons of the stamped figures against the flat areas of the plateau around them. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Londontaxi Posted May 7, 2013 Author Share Posted May 7, 2013 Many thanks.I'm in Brazil again for the next two weeks. I'm back on the 18th May and will drive the car on the 19th joining an oldtimer tour.After this I'm going to follow your advise and try to identify better.The engine No is: A 737-527Best regardsLothar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Londontaxi Posted May 23, 2013 Author Share Posted May 23, 2013 Good MorningBack in Germany and have done a very nice oldtimer competition tour with my Dodge last Monday. Worked very well. ( The Dodge! )So I cleaned further like recommended. Looks like myself or somebody before me did the cleaning before to rough and distroyed part of the numbers.Bad enough but is like it is.Now I ask again: Can anybody identify the first 2 digits? Is this a 3 or a 5? So 337-172 or 557 - 172?I believe is a big difference to identify the right year of build, isn't it.Lothar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R.White Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 It may be me but I am sorry to say I can't identify any numbers from your photos. If you know the engine to be original you could roughly work it out from there but if not I would say you will probably only have an approximate date of manufacture. Ray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1936 D2 Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 (edited) A couple things Lothar...Would you be able to take a photo of the number area at a higher resolution than the above 320x240 resolution shots? Then we as readers would be able to make the photos larger and we may see something we can give opinions on. When trying these other photos, try to get the light rather low so it will side light the numbers. This will help with a darker contrast in the areas of the bottom of the number stampings. While doing this technique, have the light come from different angles - maybe at least three different angles if possible. This may then show different parts of the numbers with more contrast. Also as I mentioned above, try to "polish" the main surface of the frame by the numbers as much as possible. The closer to a mirror finish the top surface has, the better the contrast will be of the stamped numbers.If all this fails to bring up the numbers there is a way to use a paste style acid to etch away the upper, softer surfaces leaving the lower, stamped, harder surfaces more visible. This is a forensic technique used by Police Labs to read damaged stamped numbers. (If you happen to know a "lab guy" you will be all set!) I can try to describe more on this if the polishing and photography do not help with identifying the numbers.Good luck!(NOTE: From my second look at the numbers I am going to guess right now "337". But it is only a guess until higher resolution photos can bee seen. Be sure to try more photography [the closeness of the camera and clarity -focus- of the overall shots is just fine. Just need more resolution.] before polishing the numbers any further. Then photo often as you polish on the area any further. You never know when the best view of the numbers will show.) Edited May 23, 2013 by 1936 D2 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 1930 Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 Pictures are much too small for me to see anything as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Lawson Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 On my 2249 Senior 6 the chassis is also stamped on the top of the chassis rail above where it is stamped on the side It is also very hard to read as the top rail tends to rust and become pitted If its the same as this on the 4 cylinder cars it would be under the right hand fender in the vacinity of the reat hood catch Hope this helps Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Scafani Posted May 25, 2013 Share Posted May 25, 2013 it looks to be 357... the engine number will be about 50,000 or so higher Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted May 25, 2013 Share Posted May 25, 2013 it looks to be 357... the engine number will be about 50,000 or so higherI agree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R.White Posted September 11, 2013 Share Posted September 11, 2013 While we are off topic, Lothar; you should keep hold of that old London taxi cab because the company making them has just gone bust. End of an icon sad to say. Like the late lamented Routemaster bus, they were designed for the London streets and before long people will be saying "do you remember those brilliant taxis? " Ray.Since this thread was last visited we not only have a fabulous new London bus; heavily influenced by the old Routemaster but we have heard today that the London Taxi is back in production having been saved by a Chinese firm. Things are looking up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Londontaxi Posted October 15, 2013 Author Share Posted October 15, 2013 Hey again after long time. And THANK YOU VERY MUCH. Finally I did found the right? number. I'm not so sure but anyway. My Dodge is on the road with all papers needed!!Here you see a picture of an oldtimer tour competition and we did it 4th place:o. You see my wife and a friend of us.I am so happy.Was only possible with your help. Great guys. Now I'm going to start working on the next one (also from Namibia) : Ford model T. See the blue car.I completely revised the engine. Thats done. Now I need to put a new radiator.Thank you again and it was a pleasure to be in this forumLothar Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted October 16, 2013 Share Posted October 16, 2013 They both look great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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