Rata Road Posted May 20, 2023 Share Posted May 20, 2023 Well I've had possession of the Dodge for a week now and been working on any issues I thought I could improve. On the brake issue from a previous thread the brakes were sticking on. The previous owner had recon the master cylinder so that was the last area I focused on. I removed the cylinder and sent it to a specialist rebuild firm but on inspection said there was nothing wrong with it but they honed and replaced the rubbers anyway. On refitting and after several adjustments the problem is now gone. Today I went for a decent drive along some local canal roads close to my town. Lovely run and only saw 2 cars the entire way. It rides lovely at 45 mph on the speedo which is 50mph on the GPS, can cruise at 55 mph fine. I filled it up before and after and was surprised to see I got 18.2 mpg (thats real gallons 4.54 liters) so be less mpg in US. Would have been better but I parked for a good 10 minutes with it idling while I took some pics etc when I got there so I'm happy with that. Here is some pics and video links 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted May 20, 2023 Share Posted May 20, 2023 (edited) Rata (I feel we know each other well enough to use first names) that is the best 39 Dodge I have ever seen. Bodywork, finish, interior appear to be top notch. Am especially impressed by the upholstery. They were all done in broadcloth here in Canada, was yours redone in vinyl or perhaps export models were available with leather? Performance and gas mileage seems typical for one in good fettle. Low compression means you can use the lowest octane regular petrol which is a slight saving. Hope you are satisfied with it and enjoy some nice drives. The only slight criticism I can think of is the exhaust seems a little noisy. This may be a quirk of the sound recording or perhaps the muffler is on its way out. New carpet and Dynamat will quiet things down. Edited May 20, 2023 by Rusty_OToole (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithb7 Posted May 20, 2023 Share Posted May 20, 2023 (edited) Looks like you’re having a good time with it. These are fun cars to cruise in. I have uploaded lots of You Tube informational videos on maintenance and repairs of these cars. You may find them useful. Search for “Keith’s Garage”. Regards, Keith Edited May 20, 2023 by keithb7 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rata Road Posted May 20, 2023 Author Share Posted May 20, 2023 3 hours ago, keithb7 said: Looks like you’re having a good time with it. These are fun cars to cruise in. I have uploaded lots of You Tube informational videos on maintenance and repairs of these cars. You may find them useful. Search for “Keith’s Garage”. Regards, Keith Rusty I'm not about the seat material he seems to think the rear seat is original, he had the front done so not sure if it was an option but I'm pleased as I prefer this type. I love that exhaust rumble, muffler looks very good condition but I wouldn't change it anyway. 91 Octane is the lowest we can get in NZ and I use it in everything I own, even my modern cars. I'm pleased with that mpg. I'm pleased to hear your compliments on the condition. The roof lining is original, the dash and window surrounds he got restored by an old Italian fella who used a beer, stain & varnish I think he said, looks stunning. He had the chrome redone about 8 years ago. He never touched the paint, had the radiator out or the head off in 45 years! I haven't put the front floor covering back in since refitting the master cylinder so yes that quietens the road noise down. Keith thanks for your comment and I'm looking forward to viewing your videos. How do I find "Keiths Garage"? Is it via this website or just on youtube? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted May 21, 2023 Share Posted May 21, 2023 Keith's Garage on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@keithsgarage5831 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rata Road Posted May 22, 2023 Author Share Posted May 22, 2023 Thanks Rusty, I found his site. Really enjoyed the brake maintenance clip as I have purchased a Brake gauge from The Dodge owners friend unseen. It arrived today and I'm impressed, even has the original box & instructions. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
58L-Y8 Posted May 22, 2023 Share Posted May 22, 2023 If this 1939 Dodge looks a tad odd yet familiar to American eyes, it's because it's the export Series D12 or D13 Deluxe Six. The Standard Catalog of American Cars, 1805-1942, Edited by Kimes and Clark states" "Continuing the practice of offering a junior series Dodge in the Canadian and export markets, Plymouth again supplied body, chassis and running gear to Dodge. A Dodge grille and trim gave the cars separate identity."...."...3,438 were right-hand drive,". Thanks for showing us this rarity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rata Road Posted May 22, 2023 Author Share Posted May 22, 2023 That's an interesting site. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted May 23, 2023 Share Posted May 23, 2023 (edited) Canadian Dodge dealers did offer different models, the smaller Plymouth based one like yours and a larger car called the Luxury Liner. I believe it corresponded to the US Dodge. https://www.mecum.com/lots/480007/1939-dodge-luxury-liner-deluxe-sedan/ Edited May 23, 2023 by Rusty_OToole (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
34dodger Posted May 27, 2023 Share Posted May 27, 2023 Rata, Here's a few photos of what the US version '39 Dodge looks like, though the headlights have been changed to sealed beam with a conversion kit. The brown car photos were taken during the 2012 Vero Rally in and around the Whanganui NZ area which I attended, so you may come across it some day. I never got the chance to talk to the owner to find out if it was imported and converted to rhd, or what the story was. The black car is my US '39 Coupe with the correct headlights. Your car looks great and must be quite rare! Best of luck with your car. Bill 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rata Road Posted June 4, 2023 Author Share Posted June 4, 2023 34 Dodger - Sorry for the delay in responding as I just discovered your reply as someone had moved this post from the general discussion to "Dodge & Dodge Bros" section. I have read comments about this section and they say to scroll down the opening page to find it but I never have, its not on my screen? Today I clicked on the "moved to Dodge section link" and found your comments. No I havent seen the brown one mind you I dont travel much, looks nice and I do like your black coupe. Can you post a couple more pics please (rear and side on), I see both cars have the bent front bumper which I think is a different model in the same year. I think mine is referred to as a "Dodge 6". Mine still have original 6v headlights, I passed a friend the other day, late afternoon, and he rang me later to say those 6v headlights are rubbish and can hardly be seen until up close. I laughed as it was still daylight plus I only had the park lights on (which are in the headlights). I find the lights fine for night driving after I adjusted them as they were way out. I phoned the previous owner and asked if he ever noticed how the lights were pointing weird angles and he said he had never driven it in the dark in the 45 years he had owned it, amazing. Thanks Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
34dodger Posted June 6, 2023 Share Posted June 6, 2023 Kevin, good to hear you found your moved (hidden) posting! Here's a few more pics of the '39 coupe as requested. It's the second one I've owned. I sold the first one to a guy that just had to have it, and I soon regretted it. I ended up finding this one a couple of years later in 2003 and bought it. Had to replace the old blackwall tires right away as they were too old and went with the whitewalls. I'm now ready to go to blackwall radials. That is amazing the previous owner of your car never drove it at night! I'm still with the 6V system and the headlights are OK, though I don't drive it much at night either. I tried out the 6V halogen bulbs when they came available but they did not work with the '39 lenses and were not focused at all, so went back to the original bulbs. Wish the woodgraining on my car was as nice as yours, is it original? Also, here's a photo of a similar description of what 58L- Y8 mentioned in his post above, though this from the Dodge Story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rata Road Posted June 6, 2023 Author Share Posted June 6, 2023 Thanks 34 thats an interesting article. Wow that is a sexy looking car from the rear i can see why you got another. The dash and window surrounds on my car are an interesting story. The previous owner decided to freshen it up, its not wood its actually a metal base, he found this old Italian guy here in NZ that specialized in this work. Apparently he used a mixture of Beer, Stain and Varnish! Brilliant job. I ring the previous owner on a regular basis to ask questions on history and inform him what I'm doing to "Dorris" as he called her. Incredible history, I have the original ownership papers with all the previous owners names and addresses. He owned Dorris since 1978 (45 years) & its never spent a night outside, never had the head off or the radiator out! He also got the front seat covered (rear & roof lining is original) and the chrome redone. So lucky to have such a history. Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
34dodger Posted June 6, 2023 Share Posted June 6, 2023 Great story of your cars history, and a nice find for you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now