OT - Don't steal a Ford from a Dodge.........

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2014: OT - Don't steal a Ford from a Dodge.........
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rob Heyen on Tuesday, November 25, 2014 - 09:57 am:

I posted some of this story before, but may have a little more information now.

I recently purchased an excellent book about the Dodge brothers, "Dodge Brothers: The Men, The Motor Cars, And The Legacy" by Charles K. Hyde, Wayne State University Press, 2005. On page 32 is a photo of the Dodge Brothers plant on Monroe Ave., Detroit, ca 1908:


(with author's permission, personal research only)

Now, for the rest of the story:

On September 6th, 1908, the "Detroit Free Press" newspaper reported several cars stolen around Detroit,



One of the cars stolen was John Dodge's six cylinder Ford. Another auto theft victim, toward the bottom of the article, William E. Metzger, former Ford employee and one of the founders of EMF automobiles:



It seems, just reporting the car stolen wasn't enough. John Dodge called his brother Horace, and the two went looking around Detroit for John's Model K:




Fortunately for the young man, John Dodge wasn't a great shot, and the Dodge's were there to "resuscitate" the car thief after he struck his head on the curb after the quick stop.

Fellas, I drive a Model K, and they don't "stop suddenly." Is it just me, or is it possible the Dodge's were responsible for the unconscious condition of the car thief, not the sudden stop? :-)

A day later, the stop by the Dodge brothers is ruled lawful:



And now, back to the photograph. Blowing it up, the car seen to the right of the photo:



Definitely a Ford Model K. Could this be John Dodge's car?



Always more to learn. Have a good Thanksgiving,

Rob


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Roger Karlsson, southern Sweden on Tuesday, November 25, 2014 - 10:20 am:

Detroit 1908 wasn't all that far in time from the wild west..

..then I remembered we've had the same discussion once before, but this time a picture is added. http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/331880/397146.html?1382929748

Still, I wonder what type of extras John Dodge's Model K had to make it a $5000 automobile from the standard $2,800 price?

If it had one of the rare limousine bodies, then maybe the one in the picture could have been Horace's car?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rob Heyen on Tuesday, November 25, 2014 - 10:56 am:

Roger,
I haven't found any indication of what Horace drove, but suspect if the Dodge's wished to promote Ford, he also had a Model K (but again no idea one way or the other).

There are a few things different about this K that may distinguish it as a "special" car. The tool/battery box looks to be on the left rear of the fender (most Model K have a battery box on the right toward the front of the fender). Also, when I blow up the pic it looks like the headlamps may be the larger magnified style and the side lamps possibly a different style from the standard ones seen in most pics. I'm unable to tell if the body is custom or not. The fenders appear to be the standard style.

Another question is, did John Dodge just report it was a $5,000 in case insurance came into play? I have found examples where car owners under reported the value of their cars for tax purposes and maybe the opposite is occurring in this instance?

I may find reference to Horace's car at some point, one never knows.

Also, the car to the far right of the photo looks like a Ford roadster. I'm unable to tell for sure, but possibly a K or S roadster? The color may be gray, and that could be correct for a K roadster. It looks like the front fender may go forward in a straight line like a K roadster, but I really can't tell for sure. An S roadster looks very similar from the back, but I'm not aware of them being any color other than red?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Darel J. Leipold on Tuesday, November 25, 2014 - 12:04 pm:

William Metzger, I believe was the M of the EMF auto company. Everett, Metzger and Flanders.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Burger in Spokane on Tuesday, November 25, 2014 - 12:17 pm:

I like the part of the news story where the police LT approves of Dodge's shooting and says he wished the
bullets had struck the thieves.

Ferguson, MO comes to mind. My, how far we've come.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rob Heyen on Tuesday, November 25, 2014 - 03:05 pm:

Darel,
Yes, I think so (Metzger). I mispoke (mis-typed) above. W. Metzger didnt' work for Ford, Flanders (also of EMF) did. I think W. Metzger put up the prize money for the first Ford 999 victory with Barney Oldfield driving. I think that's correct (until the next "correction").


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mack Cole ---- Earth on Tuesday, November 25, 2014 - 06:47 pm:

I like that they "worked him over"for 20 minutes.:-) nowadays that would mean they beat the crap out of him.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ricks - Surf City on Tuesday, November 25, 2014 - 08:27 pm:

Pat. 1909:


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By kep on Wednesday, November 26, 2014 - 01:35 am:

The cops don't talk like that anymore. Maybe they should just to see..


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rob Heyen on Wednesday, November 26, 2014 - 01:36 am:

Maybe the first Model K stolen.

San Francisco, 1906, no shots fired:



Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hal Davis-SE Georgia on Wednesday, November 26, 2014 - 07:28 am:

Mack,

I picked up on that too.:-)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Roger Karlsson, southern Sweden on Wednesday, November 26, 2014 - 07:55 am:

San Francisco in october 1906, six months after the earthquake and fire must have been hectic with buildings being repaired and new ones built everywhere.. Lots of business for a realty agent.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rob Heyen on Wednesday, November 26, 2014 - 09:51 am:

Mack, I'm sure they were just trying to help the poor boy after he was knocked out by the sudden stop............. :-)

Another K almost makes the grade to be on the side of the law. Bids for a Sheriff's car. Several high end brands submitted bids:



Official bids:



However, a Thomas 40hp wins out:


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jerry VanOoteghem on Wednesday, November 26, 2014 - 02:03 pm:



Maybe its transmission gave out. ;>)

(Just teasing)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rob Heyen on Wednesday, November 26, 2014 - 03:01 pm:

Jerry,
Good one. Have a good Thanksgiving,
Rob


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jerry VanOoteghem on Wednesday, November 26, 2014 - 04:45 pm:

Thanks Rob, you have a good Thanksgiving too!


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