When I hear of a vintage vehicle that has been in storage for more than 50 years, I typically think of a rusty wreck that is not worth restoring. However, it isn’t always the case. This 1933 Dodge coupe is evidence that well done long-term storage is not a problem.
This Dodge, which will be 90 years old in 2023, spent more than half its existence in a barn. That’s because it sat for 58 years after being parked in 1965. It’s unknown why the owner retired the coupe, but it ended up in a respectable structure and came out into the open as a largely rust-free survivor.
A one-family classic with documented history and amazingly original, the Dodge was rescued by YouTube’s “Classic Car Rescue.” Our host also gave the car its first wash in 58 years to unveil an amazingly solid body with no noticeable damage beyond some surface rust. Sure, the black paint has faded away, and the chrome needs polishing to come back to life, but this pre-WW2 coupe is in outstanding condition by barn find standards.
It’s also very complete, still sporting all the chrome elements, the front fender-mounted horns, and the ram statue atop the radiator grille. It also includes the historical Dodge Brothers emblem with the six-pointed star. It’s probably why our host calls it a Dodge Brothers car, but it’s, in fact, just a Dodge since the company had already been sold before this model was released.
After John and Horace Dodge passed away in 1920, their widows sold the automaker to the investment firm Dillon, Read & Co. in 1925. Three years later, Dodge was transferred as stock to the newly formed Chrysler Corporation. So why does this coupe still have a Dodge Brothers-era insignia, built about five years into Chrysler ownership? The explanation is actually fairly straightforward: Chrysler continued to use the Dodge badge on cars until 1938. But in 1930, they took down the “Brother” marking.
Much like the exterior, the interior is amazingly complete for a car this old. The seat is in poor condition due to a bunch of raccoons that lived inside, but everything else is solid and will come back to life with a restoration. The five-window coupe also has a few dealer options, including a Motorola radio, rear-view mirror clock, and a cigarette lighter. The odometer shows 51,000 miles, but it’s unclear whether that’s the actual mileage or not.
There is good news as well under the hood, where this Dodge conceals a flat-head inline-six engine that is factory original. Although the mill doesn’t operate, it seems to be entirely original and complete. The engine in question is a 2.1-liter (3.3-cubic-inch) lump that was originally rated at 75 horsepower and 136 pound-feet (185 Nm) of torque.
In case you’re not acquainted, this five-window coupe is a Dodge Six model from the 1930s. It is also referred to as the DP series and was produced in 1933 in 103,055 units. Based on this number, they aren’t exactly uncommon, but the majority of these cars are no longer in existence. And what makes this car even more exceptional is the superb condition in which it is kept. This particular time capsule merits a thorough restoration.