7 Dodge Facts You Probably Didn't Know
There is so much more to Dodge than just the Hellcat. Here are some things you didn't know about the legendary company.
1. Dodge Brothers Started Out Making Bicycles, then....
Dodge is one of the most reputable car companies in the world. After all, it did introduce the Viper, the Challenger, and the Dodge Charger to the world, but that's not how they originally started. The Dodge brothers started out making bikes, not motorcycles, but bicycles. In 1900, the Dodge brothers decided to close their bicycle shop and go bigger, so they started making stoves.
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2. Original Dodge Dealerships
The Dodge brothers gained tremendous publicity and great reputation before they even introduced their first vehicle. Before they debuted their first vehicle, 22,000 had people applied to be Dodge dealerships. The Dodge brothers selected a few people to open-up Dodge Dealerships for their big release on November 1914, then they cashed out only two years later, as Dodge became one of the top-selling companies in America in 1916.
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3. Dodge Viper and Lamborghini's Collaboration
In 1991, Dodge introduced their newest beast, the Dodge Viper. The Dodge Viper didn't have an air-conditioner until 1994, but they had something much better: the 10-cylinder engine that produced 400 horsepower for the first Viper model, which was designed by Lamborghini.
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4. First Winterized Car
The Dodge brothers put on their innovation caps when they wanted to take their well-loved cars to the next level and created their winterized vehicle. This invention included a removable hardtop and a snap-on side glass. Their first winterized car was offered at $950 in America and $1,335 in Canada.
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5. Dodge's Move Toward Gender Equality
In 1956, Dodge took a shot at being the first car manufacturer to create a move toward gender equality, so they introduced their La Femme model. La Femme means "The Woman" in French and this vehicle was designed and built specifically for women. Dodge La Femme included dotted upholstery and they it even came with a purse. Unfortunately, La Femme didn't have great sales; however, the message was received and has found a place in history.
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6. First All-Steel Body
Dodge introduced the first all-steel body in 1914. Two years later, in 1916, Dodge was producing 70,000 all-steel touring car bodies, paving the way for all car manufacturers to build something durable that will last for years and years. Thanks to this great invention, we could enjoy cars from the early 1900s long after their usual expiration date.
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7. Dodge's Role in Ford's Success
Although Dodge and Ford are direct competitors, the Dodge brothers played a huge role in the success of Ford. They produced every part of the Ford Model-T except the tires and the wooden seats. After Henry Ford started his own plant in Detroit, he breached the contract and stopped paying the Dodge brothers their stock, which resulted in a $25 million win for them in court.
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