Lot 428: 1950 Dodge Coronet Sedan

Engine and transmission suppliers to Ransom Eli Olds and then Henry Ford, the Dodge brothers - John and Horace - diversified into automobile manufacture in 1914. Featuring a 35hp four-cylinder engine, welded all-steel body and 12-volt electrical system, the first Dodge was a robust, ‘right-first-time’ design that changed little, apart from a couple of extensions in wheelbase length, over the course of the succeeding ten years. Dodge was second only to Ford in the US in 1920, but in that year both brothers died and the firm went into decline, falling to 13th place in the US industry rankings by 1928 when it was acquired by Walter P Chrysler. The latter wanted a cheaper car to complement his more upmarket Chryslers, and after only a year under his control, Dodge had risen to 5th place in the manufacturing league table. After WW2 Dodge, like the majority of its rivals, recommenced production with face-lifted 1942 models, which in Dodge’s case would remain little altered until 1949 when the first new body styles were introduced. The model names ‘Wayfarer’, ‘Meadowbrook’ and ‘Coronet’ were adopted for these new Dodges, the latter signifying the top trim level available. All three models used the same 230cu in (3.8-litre) 103bhp six-cylinder sidevalve engine. This left-hand drive Dodge Coronet four-door sedan featured in the 2001 motion picture ‘The Hours’, starring Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman and Julianne Moore. Julianne Moore has signed the car on the reverse side of the sun visor. The car was imported into the UK from Miami, Florida via Paramount Pictures in February 2001 and comes with old (1999-2000) Pennsylvania Certificate of Title enabling it to be reregistered in this country. Following an MoT failure in September this year, the car has been serviced and undergone extensive remedial works to bodywork, brakes, etc (invoice available).