1929 Dodge DA

1929 Dodge DA 4 Door Sedan Description

Up for auction is a very nice 29' Dodge DA which had a frame off restoration in early 2000. The car has been in the family for nearly 50 years. My father-in-law bought the car in 1969 and drove it until 1980. In July of 1970 the 29' Dodge, two 1930 Chevrolets and a Model A Ford were featured on the cover of Hemmings Motor News. The car eventually ended up in his barn which is where I found it and started the restoration project in the late 1990's. After the restoration, my father-in-law drove the car around town regularly. The car has been in many local car shows and always gets a lot of interest and appreciation. I am selling the car because my father-in-law, who really enjoyed driving and showing the 29' again after it was restored, is in his 80's now and is refining his focus. None of us want the 29' to end up in the barn again! The restoration was done right and was expensive. I have many receipts and some Polaroids of the restoration project for serious inquirers. I have no false beliefs that the car will sell for what I have put into it. We are interested in giving the car a good new home.

The car is beautiful and solid. No rust. Very low mileage (1500) since the frame off restoration. The car has never been driven in winter or after salt may have been used on the roads in fall or spring. When the car was purchased by my father-in-law, it had been painted maroon. Originally, the car was blue, which is what we repainted it to. Overall, the car is nearly original. For example, it still has its vacuum gas tank (rebuilt this summer) and not an electric gas pump. The carburetor was also rebuilt this summer. One thing that is not original, is that it has a new 8 volt battery with a charger. The 8-volt battery turns the 6-volt starter better than a 6-volt battery does. The car runs very well. Drivers will need to be familiar with the old school technique of "double clutching" to shift gears. The totally restored interior is beautiful and worthy of a bride's ride to her wedding. It's very classy.

Here is a partial list of the restoration work:

• Front axle rebushed, new seals
• New kingpins
• Rebuilt brakes; new brake lines, rebuilt master cylinder, rebuilt brake cylinders, relined brake shoes
• Rebuilt starter for 6-volts
• Rebuilt generator
• Gas tank cleaned, lined, sandblasted and painted
• Frame wire brushed and painted
• Body sandblasted, primed and painted
• Re-chromed bumper as well as numerous other parts
• All window channels repaired, aligned and functioning
• All new interior ($5,300 job, very nice!)

Like with all antique cars there are a few things that would benefit from a little attention:

• The robe rail needs to be attached to the back of the front seat. I purchased the correct hinges made of stainless steel at the Hershey Car Show many years ago and found a bar on eBay but still have not attached it. (see pix)
• The windshield wiper motor should be replaced so the wiper blade gets parked on the left side of the windshield.
• The car has the speedometer cable housing but needs a new speedometer cable.
• The horn works well by pressing the brass nipple in the center of the steering wheel. The horn button that covers the brass nipple is missing and needs to be replaced. (see pix)
• The white metal ring around the center of the steering wheel which adjusts the headlights is present and functions. However, the ring which surrounds the headlight ring and adjusts the throttle is missing and needs to be replaced. (see pix)
• There is a scratch on the front right fender. (see pix)

Included is a spare diamond core radiator, if ever needed. Original diamond core radiators, as opposed to the more common honeycomb radiators, are very difficult to find.

This car shows and runs beautifully. It is ready to be driven and enjoyed. Please contact me with any questions. And please, serious bidders only. There is a $500 deposit required at the end of the auction. Full payment is required within 7 days of auction close.