Dodge Brothers vehicles at AACA Museum, Inc.

Hershey, PA - The Mid-Atlantic Region of the Dodge Brothers Club is guest curating a display of four historic Dodge Brothers vehicles at the AACA Museum, Inc. at Hershey in the Williams-Clyne Gallery. The display will open to the public through April 28, 2019.

Brothers Horace Elgin Dodge and John Francis Dodge founded Dodge Brothersin the early 1900s, initially as a parts supplier for other Detroit automakers. Dodge Brothers then manufactured vehicles of their own from 1914–1938. This display showcases the diversity of the various body types that were available during these years. Styles on view include early vehicles, commercial vehicles, and vehicles that would appeal to the foreign market such as Australia which was an essential component of their business. Specific vehicles on view are a 1915 Dodge Brothers Touring, 1926 Dodge Brothers Station Wagon, 1926 Dodge Brothers Panel Van and a 1935 Dodge Brothers Phaeton. Special thanks to guest curator Doug Walters, President of the Mid-Atlantic Region of the Dodge Brothers Club for assembling this collection of vehicles along with a display cabinet with related memorabilia.

When did “Dodge Brothers” become “Dodge”? Officially, Chrysler changed the name from “Dodge Brothers” to “Dodge” in 1930. In actuality “Dodge Brothers” still appeared for several more years, slowly fading from use and memory during the 1930s. By 1938 “Brothers” was pretty well gone from all mention, including most company stationery and was also chosen by the founders of the Dodge Brothers Club to be the cut-off point as the end of theDodge Brothers era. 

When did “Dodge” become a part of “Chrysler?"Walter P. Chryslerbought Dodge Brothers at 5:00 PM on July 31, 1928. It was purchased from Clarence Dillion of Dillon Read & Company, the investment bankers. A copy of the actual check from when Dillon Read bought the company from the Dodge Family for $146,000,000 in 1925 is on view as part of this display. It was the largest cash transaction ever at that time.  (Ref: Chrysler, The Life and Times of an Automotive Genius, p. 385-388) 

The Williams-Clyne Gallery in the AACA Museum, Inc. is a place where the many marque-specific clubs and other automotive organizations can display vehicles that have outstanding educational resources and no place to exhibit them. This space is dedicated to serving that audience and allows us to build relationships between the Museum and the greater automotive community it serves. The AACA Museum, Inc. invites inquiries from automotive clubs and organizations who are interested in providing a curated display for a future exhibit.

While visiting the AACA Museum, Inc. this winter, guests can also enjoy our featured exhibit “Land Yachts: Postwar American Luxury Convertibles.” This exhibition showcases the beauty and the glamour of the full-size American convertibles built from the immediate post-WWII years through 1976 when Cadillac produced what was then believed to be the last American convertible and will be on view through April 28, 2019.

About the AACA Museum, Inc. at Hershey

The AACA Museum Inc. at Hershey, a Smithsonian Affiliate, displays beautifully restored and original automobiles, buses, and motorcycles in unique life-like scenes representing the 1890s – 1980s on a cross-country journey from New York to San Francisco. This Museum, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, is known to be one of the largest automotive museums, and is celebrating its 15th Anniversary in 2018. Special exhibits change several times a year and focus on a variety of eras and types of vehicles. The AACA Museum, Inc. at Hershey is home to the Cammack Tucker Collection; along with being the home of the Tucker Automobile Club of America. The Museum holds the World’s largest and most prestigious permanent collection of Tucker Automobiles and related artifacts. The Museum is in South Hanover Township, located just off Route 39, one mile west of Hersheypark Drive, Hershey, Pennsylvania. Regular admission $12.50, seniors age 61 and older $11.50, juniors age 4-12 $9.50, children age 3 and under, AACA Museum, Inc. Members and AACA Members are FREE. The Museum is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. For further information, please call 717-566-7100 or visit www.AACAMuseum.org. 

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