“Was it actually snowing in Idaho when you bought the pick-up?” I asked cheekily.
“No! I’ve put phosphoric acid all over it to protect it, as it had been standing out in the weather for quite a long time!” came the indignant reply. “Hence, the white-ish tinge to the paintwork”.
It certainly looked like original paintwork to me.
The Dodge pick-up coughed its way out from under the historic trees in Perth, Western Australia, where it had been snoozing quietly – obviously cold starts were not its favourite activity – and we wended our way into the grounds of the local cemetery which, not surprisingly, was very peaceful. There was virtually no other traffic to navigate as James Smithson (the driver/owner), and myself (with camera in hand) looked for the perfect spot for the Dodge’s model shoot debut.
James had imported the Dodge pick-up some years before and it had obviously worked hard throughout its life. Yet, once warmed up, it ran happily with the reassuring gearbox growl common to all 1930s vehicles with their spur-cut gears. My driver admitted to the fact, though, that underneath the antique patina, quite a lot of expensive mechanical surgery had gone on, to bring the vehicle up to a useable condition, including a gearbox rebuild.
James was enjoying himself, as this businessman rarely finds much time to enjoy his collectable vehicles. For myself, I could not recall ever having seen a live 1930s Dodge in any body style – most certainly not a USA ‘utility’ vehicle like this – the Great Depression certainly killed off such dealership sales in Australia.
In many places I looked, the vehicle proudly displayed its ‘DB’ logo – there was no mistaking the box-shaped design of the 1930s.
Dodge gave their vehicles their all-steel Budd bodies, so this was a ‘truck’ that was meant for a hard day’s work.
The cabin space was good for James, but my 6ft height meant my legs needed ‘cajoling’ into place to be comfortable, however, my large head found plenty of space in the upper regions. The seat width was good - three average men could have sat side-by-side quite comfortably for reasonable distances.
Out on the suburban roads, the truck cruised at regulation speed quite easily, although the ride was taut – what with the heavy-duty tyres and stiff suspension ready to take on any load up to 30cwt.
Was the man behind the wheel in seventh heaven? I certainly got that impression as we returned the Dodge to its roadside nest for another long snooze in the sun.
I glanced over my shoulder after alighting – the Dodge sat there stolidly, gazing at me through its sealed beams that had been fitted many years ago to lift its lighting capabilities.
The firm of the Dodge brothers (who had both died in 1922) certainly built them tough back then.
*A John Parker
