Top 5 Facts on The Dodge Brothers | The Bad Blonde Car History

Here are my top 5 favorite facts about the legendary Dodge Brothers, John and Horace Dodge. For more classic car content and car history keep following The Bad Blonde Car History. Old Dodge footage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nq2jY1trxqg&t=33s Relevant video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnS4Gqq1_Rc&t=4s #1 – They were rascals While they were extremely capable and talented, they were also a bit wild. The pair grew up nearly inseparable and learned how to use their hands at an early at in their father’s foundry shop. Neither of the talented duo was exactly welcomed into the Detroit high society. Though they did somewhat buy tolerance. Horace was the main benefactor of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. But the pair were not scared of shenanigans and both brothers were heavy drinkers – the redheads had a bad reputation in the Detroit saloons – Some of the Dodge Brothers escapades were so frowned upon again that there money couldn’t buy them grace … One instance, John and one of his drinking buddy jumped a lawyer outside a bar in Detroit. #2 – They were the go-to supplier for quality parts for Detroit automakers. Founded in 1900, they started by manufacturing bikes but would quickly turn into the United States most quality parts supplier. You could consider them pretty much like the De Dion of the USA. One of their biggest breaks, was Horace’s first patent: the dirt-proof ball bearing. 1902 – Won a contract with Ransom Olds to build transmissions for the Old Motor Vehicle Company which would eventually be known as Oldsmobile – less of a mouth full. In fact, they were the largest parts manufacturer in Detroit before they split with Ford in 1914 in order to build their own car. #3 – They owned a fair chunk of Ford and Henry Ford hated them for it Now Henry Ford was not an instant success, he had many failures and bankruptcies under him before the success of the Ford Motor Company. In fact, one of his failed attempts turned into Cadillac. Henry Leland was sent to liquidate one of Ford’s failed manufacturers, but instead he proposed to turn it into Cadillac THUS sparking the vendetta of Ford vs. Leland.. The Dodge Brother’s decided to take a gamble on investing in Ford. The Dodge brothers worked out a sweet deal that included them owning 10% of Ford Motor Company. Ford hated the Dodge brothers. He hated their red hair. Thought they were evil. Henry Ford was a little cooky himself. Eventually, the Dodge Bros wanted OUT. They didn’t agree with Ford and didn’t see Ford moving ahead as a company. And in 1913 they made out like bandits. With their initial investment and dividends, they left Ford with close to $35 million dollars. That money would quite helpful in the Dodge Brothers creating their own automobile Best quote that came out of John Dodge’s mouth was “Someday people who own a Ford are going to want an automobile.” #4 - The Pancho Villa Expedition Though formally called by the US government, the Mexico Expedition, Dodge Brothers vehicles were used in the hunt for infamous bandit Pancho Villa! In 1916, the US government sent General ‘Blackjack’ Pershing on the Pancho Villa Expedition. Pershing requested 250 Dodges from the War Department, putting out an order that only dodges would be used by his staff in Mexico's rugged territory. If I can be techy enough I will have figured out how to inset video of Dodges raging in the countryside, if not, I will have a link down below. That you better click on. During this expedition, there was an epic firefight lead by George S Patton (Yes, Patton was also down in Mexio reeking havoc) against the hideout of one of Villa’s right hand men that left 3 men dead….. They strung them across the dodge hoods. Now that expedition was unsuccessful in its objective, but it did prove that Dodge Brother’s automobiles were some rugged and reliable vehicles. Random fact: Pancho Villa was also a Dodge man and was assassinated in his in 1923 #5 – They died to young… Yes, this is one of those early deaths in the automotive world that I am just like what would the automotive arena looked like if they hadn’t left the world so soon. Both brother’s died in 1920, John from the Spanish Influnza and Horace from either pneumonia or complications of cirrhosis of the liver. - Did any of those factoids surprise ya? Could you hold your weight in a fight with one of the Dodge brothers? Do you have a fear of red hair as Henry Ford was reported to have? Do you think jumping a lawyer outside a bar is a wise idea?