![]() ![]() A Cord gear lever was fashioned and installed through the dash to operate the gearbox. The steering hub was altered to allow for throttle, spark advance and an innovative light switch at the base of the column. Duesenberg steering wheels were use on the larger boats. was adamant that his new boats would be equipped with features not seen on any other boats. Lycoming was well known for building aircraft engines and worked with Dodge to modify their engines for marine use. He formed a working relationship with the Auburn Automobile company which was linked to Cord and Duesenberg. Dodge was well connected at the upper echelons of Society, given his status and wealth. These boats included “Baby WaterCar” with a 24 cylinder engine with 400hp., “Sister Syn” and any number race boats called “Delphine”. He had a fleet of Race boats, each named in honor of his sister, Delphine. He is reputed to have spent well over a $1,000,000 alone trying to become a famous speedboat racer like his competitor, Gar-Wood. He was from a very wealthy family, owned homes all over the world and in his leisure time, raced cars and airplanes and boats. Lycoming straight 8 - 32 mph, Lycoming V12 - 45 mph. Lycoming straight 8 with speeds up to 38 mph. Solid mahogany, split cockpit, folding windshields, 35 mph with a Lycoming straight 8. Solid mahogany construction, powered by a 40hp Lycoming. It was available in the following lengths The plant was State of the Art and was divided into 8 departments, linked together with an overhead monorail that moved boats from station to station.Ī spectacular new Dodge model line appeared in 1930. initiated construction of a new factory in Newport News, Virginia and boats were well under production by the Spring of 1930. Plans were drawn up for a beautiful line of Dodge boats in about 1928, yet no one anticipated the stock market crash of 1929. The roaring 20's instilled great optimism in the future and young Dodge was convinced there was a growing trend toward luxurious Speedboats. This innovative approach, coupled with world class marketing vaulted Dodge to an enviable position. By the late 20's, Dodge Boats made the competitors like Chris-Craft and Gar-Wood seem mundane. George F Crouch was in charge of design and production. He spent the equivalent of over $15 million ( in todays money) building a Boat factory that only managed to produce 5 boats a day. He began branding the boats under the "WaterCar" name. Dodge Boat Works which would use car assembly techniques to build wood boats. and after his Fathers death, his mother encouraged the young Dodge to begin his own venture in 1923 called Horace E. Horace Dodge's only son was Horace Dodge Jr. But as fate would have it, both brothers died from influenza related illnesses in 1920. The Dodge Brothers Motor Car Company grew, and by 1915 they were the second largest car manufacturer in the USA. The Dodge brothers, Horace and John, created a highly successful Motor Car company in about 1913. ![]()
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