Abandoned D-E

DODGE (1939) — Dodge introduced a completely redesigned line of trucks for 1939. The '39 truck, which had a streamlined art-deco-style front end, was called the T Series, changed to V Series in 1940 and then to W Series for 1941. The engine of choice was a straight six Chrysler flathead in a variety of sizes mated to a three- or four speed manual transmission. This large delivery van was found parked behind a dilapidated barn in eastern North Carolina. (Photos by Jim Meachen)

DODGE (1950) — In 1949, Dodge came out with its first all-new car since the pre-war 1942 model. They were produced from 1949 through 1954 with only some grille changes through those years. For instance, the 1950 model front-end lasted for just a year before another rendition showed up 1951. The post-war cars could be purchased with Fluid Drive, a semi-automatic transmission that reduced (but did not eliminate) the need to shift gears. This 1950 example was found abandoned in New Mexico. (Photo by Jim Prueter)

DODGE (circa 1951) — The Dodge Wayfarer two-door sedan was built from 1949 through 1952. In 1950, it received a facelift as did the entire Dodge lineup. And for the 1951-52 model years the Wayfarer got another upgrade with a new hood and new front fenders. The 195-inch long Wayfarer was outfitted with a 230 cubic-inch Dodge straight six. Published 0-60 time was 17.4 seconds. This circa 1951 model was discovered in northern Florida. (Photos by Jim Meachen)

DODGE (1935) — This 1935 Dodge work truck rests in retirement next to a Ford Model T truck in Utah. In 1933, Dodge started using a Plymouth "small block" flathead six or a bigger "big block" DeSoto.Chrysler six in its trucks. The big block six made 70 horsepower and 130 pound-feet of torque. These style trucks were made from 1933 through 1938. The so-called "Job Rated" trucks were built from 1939 through 1947. (Photos by Jim Prueter)

DODGE (circa 1961-1964) — A 1964 Ford Thunderbird and a circa 1961-64 Dodge pickup live in abandoned bliss in New Mexico. The '64 Bird kicked off the fourth generation and was a big leap forward in design over the third generation Thunderbird. The standard engine was a 300-horsepower V-8. The Dodge D series pickup was introduced in 1961 and sold through the 1993 model year. The first generation of the D series was built through 1965. (Photo by Jim Prueter)


DODGE (1940-41) — Dodge presented a completely redesigned line of trucks in 1939. This design ran through 1947 known as the T series (1939), the V series (1940) and the W series (1941-1947). Six different payload classes, a wide range of bodies, and 20 different wheelbase lengths were offered. This 1940-1941 relic was found in Texas. (Photo by Petter Hubbard)

DODGE (1966) — The Dodge Dart was built from 1959 to 1976. By the time it entered its third generation in 1963 it had become a large compact vehicle and remained a popular family car through the end of its run in 1976. It compared to the Ford Falcon and Chevrolet Nova at the time. This 1966 model was found languishing in Utah. (Photos by Jim Prueter}

DODGE (1952) — This 1952 Dodge was found serving its final years in an Arizona salvage yard. The 1952 model could be purchased with a semi-automatic transmission that reduced (but did not eliminate) the need to shift gears. In 1953, Dodge got its first V-8 engine featuring the famous hemispherical combustion chambers and 140 horsepower. (Photo by Jim Prueter)

DODGE (circa 1972-76) — The 1972 through 1976 Dodge pickup was the first of the third generation that lasted through 1993 and included an independent front suspension, and were built with a considerable amount of galvanized steel to resist rust and corrosion. Transmissions included a 3-speed and 4-speed manual and a 3-speed automatic. (Photos by Jim Prueter)

DODGE (ealry '50s) — The useful life of this early 1950s Dodge delivery van appears to be over. The van rests in retirement in Nevada after it probably covered hundreds of thousand of miles delivering goods and services. (Photos by Jim Prueter)

DODGE (1948-1950) — This 1948-1950 B Series Dodge work truck was discovered in Nevada. The B-series pickup trucks were sold from 1948 to 1953 replacing the prewar Dodge truck. The B-series trucks featured a high-visibility "pilot-house" cab with optional rear quarter windows. (Photo by Jim Prueter)

EDSEL (1959) — Edsel was a failed experiment by Ford Motor Company in the late 1950s. The full-sized sedan was designed to fit into its lineup between Mercury and Lincoln to give Ford a fourth brand to go up against such nameplates as Buick, Oldsmobile, Dodge and DeSoto. But it never caught on with the public, lasting just three years, 1958-1960. This 1959 model was found in retirement in Utah. (Photos by Jim Prueter)


DODGE (1959, 1960) — Tailfins were all the rage at Chrysler in the late '50s and early '60s, and the Dodge division was not short-changed. Here are two examples from a Texas scrapyard — a 1959 Dodge Custom Royal (top) and a 1960 Dodge Phoenix (bottom). The Phoenix, built by Chrysler Australia, was all-new for 1960. The Custom Royal was produced from 1955 through 1959. (Photos by Peter Hubbard)

DODGE (1968) — Dodge sold the D line of pickup trucks from October 1960 through September 1993. This second-generation 1968 Dodge was spotted in Utah. The 1968 model can be distinguished by its grille with two rows of four holes each. Sold as the D300 and the D500, they came with a choice of two engines — a 127-horsepower Slant Six and a 177-horsepower V-8. (Photos by Jim Prueter)

DODGE (1941) — The Dodge truck was restyled in 1939 and the styling was continued through 1947. Civilian truck production ended in 1942, but Dodge trucks were used for the World War II effort to the tune of 255,000 trucks. This 1941 Dodge bus was found in Nevada. (Photos by Jim Prueter)

DODGE (1966) — This mid-sized 1966 Dodge Coronet was found in central Tennessee minus an engine. The Coronet was built from 1965-1975 as an intermediate-sized car. It could be purchased as a wagon, 4-door sedan, 2-door sedan, 2-door coupe and hardtop and 2-door convertible. A 273 cubic inch V-8 was standard equipment. (Photos by Jim Meachen)

DODGE (1954) — Dodge started its successful "Job Rated" advertising campaign for Dodge trucks in the 1940s and it ran through the 1950s. This 1954 Job Rated pickup truck — lacking most of its original paint — was found in a salvage yard in Texas. (Photos by Peter Hubbard)

EDSEL (1959) — Ford Motor Company developed Edsel to give it a fourth brand to gain market share from Chrysler and General Motors competing against Buick, Oldsmobile, Dodge and DeSoto. The sedan was marketed with great fanfare in 1958, but it failed to gain enough sales to keep it alive. Edsel was discontinued in late 1959 after less than 3,000 1960 model cars were sold. About 116,000 Edsel's were produced. This 1959 Edsel station wagon was discovered in a salvage yard. (Photo by Jim Prueter)


DODGE (1956) — Dodge was all-new in 1955 with a 120-inch wheelbase and 212.1-inch overall length — huge by today's standards — longer than the 1954 cars. The Dodge shared its basic mechanicals with the DeSoto Custom, but had distinct styling. This style lasted just two years (1955-1956) before being replaced by an all-new 1957 car. This 1956 station wagon was found in Arizona. (Photos by Jim Prueter)

DODGE (1957) — This used up 1957 Dodge pickup was spotted by the side of the road near Hanksville, Utah. It was the only year that Dodge made this particular front-end design. The '57 Dodge could be purchased with a 230 cubic inch inline six making 120 horsepower or three different V-8 engines ranging in size from 172 horsepower to 204 horsepower. The truck came with either a 2-speed or 3-speed automatic transmission. (Photos by Jim Meachen)

DODGE (circa 1940) — This circa 1940 Dodge COE (cab over engine) truck cab was found in a Texas salvage yard. A straight 6-cylinder Chrysler Flathead was used in most of these trucks mated to a three- or four-speed manual transmission. (Photo by Peter Hubbard)

This Dodge B Series pickup truck was found enduring a snowstorm in Nevada. The B Series was built from 1948 through 1953. This truck was from the 1951-1953 design and contained the Job Rated moniker. The 1953 truck could be purchased for the first time with an optional fully automatic Truck-O-Matic transmission. (Photos by Jim Prueter)

DODGE (1953) — This 1953 "Job Rated" Dodge stakebed truck was discovered rusting away in a Texas field of cars. Dodge used the "Job Rated" designation through the mid-50s aimed at getting the customer the truck that fit the job. A stakebed truck has stake pockets allowing wooden or metal rail-sides to be inserted. (Photo by Peter Hubbard)

DODGE (1946-1948) — Dodge sold lightly face-lifted revisions of its 1942 design from 1946 through the 1948 season. Production on the 1946 model started in late 1945 at the conclusion of World War II. As before, these were a single series of six-cylinder models with two trim levels — basic Deluxe or plusher Custom. In 1946 Dodge was fourth in sales behind Ford, Chevrolet and Plymouth with 163,490 units sold. Sales went up to 243,160 in 1947 and 243,340 in 1948. This circa 1946-1948 Dodge was found along Route 66. (Photo by Jim Prueter)


Picture courtesy of The Old Motor
This 1955/1956 Dodge was spotted in Santa Rosa, N.M., perhaps awaiting some restoration. The Dodge lineup was all-new for 1955 — a big comeback for the brand after slumping in 1954 — with a longer 120-inch wheelbase and a 212.1 inch overall length. There were six body styles including a wagon and convertible. It could be purchased with either a 4.8-liter inline six or a 4.4-liter V-8. Dodge completely revamped the styling for 1957. The picture above was taken in 1956 at a Dodge-Plymouth dealership in Banning, Calif. (Top photos by Jim Prueter)

DODGE (circa 1951-53) — Dodge built the B-series pickup truck from 1948-53, and you can distinguish the 1951 through1953 models by their "Job Rated" badge on the grille. The 1953 model was the first to get a fully automatic transmission, dubbed the Truck-O-Matic. Dodge started selling "Job Rated" trucks in 1939, aimed at getting the customer the truck that fit the job for which it was purchased. The Job Rated designation carried through to the mid-50s when it was dropped. This circa 1951-53. Dodge pickup was discovered in a field in eastern North Carolina. (Photos by Jim Meachen)

The Dodge Town Wagon and Panel was built between 1954 and 1966 presumably to give the popular Chevrolet Suburban competition. It could be purchased with windows in a passenger configuration or strictly as a panel van. The Dodge Wagon, a forerunner of the modern sport utility vehicle, could be purchased with four-wheel drive. This circa 1960-65 Town Wagon was discovered in New Mexico. (Photos by Jim Prueter)

DODGE (circa 1935) — Dodge started building trucks in 1914, and 20 years later the Dodge branch of Chrysler Motor Company was one of the nation's top truck builders. This mid-1930s Dodge truck was found displayed on old Route 66 in Paris Springs Junction, Mo. (Photo by Jim Meachen)

EDSEL (1958) — Edsel was developed to take on Oldsmobile and Buick from General Motors and DeSoto from the Chrysler Corp. slotting into the Ford lineup between Mercury and Lincoln. The Edsel was unveiled on Sept. 4, 1957, as a 1958 model. Although it was not enthusiastically received by the public, it sold close to expectations in its first year at 63,110. But sales slumped badly in 1959 and the car was discontinued in 1960 when only 2,505 units were sold. This 1958 example was found in Mayer, Ariz. (Photos by Jim Prueter)

DODGE (1941) — Dodge pickups underwent a complete redesign with streamlined styling in 1939. One of those styling features was a very attractive front end, which is one of the few things that has survived this 1941 Dodge. The 1941 truck came with a 218 cubic inch six-cylinder engine making 75 horsepower. (Photo by Peter Hubbard)

EDSEL (1958) — This 1958 Edsel is part of Peter Hubbard's Junkyard Dog collection, discovered in a junkyard that includes a large number of decaying models from the 1950s and 1960s. The Edsel was conceived as a model to bridge the gap between Ford and the more upscale Mercury-Lincoln brands. But it bombed out, surviving for only three model years. (Photo by Peter Hubbard)

DESOTO (1937) — DeSoto was a mid-level brand built by Chrysler from 1928 through 1961 with over 2 million sold in its 56 years of existence. In 1934 DeSoto was given the dramatic Chrysler airflow design, a big mistake because sales tanked in 1934-35. In 1936 the DeSoto was returned to a more mainstream design called Airstream. This 1937 DeSoto specimen was discovered by Peter Hubbard near Denton, Texas.

Like its competitors, Dodge came out with an all-new pickup truck design for the 1948 model year, which remained basically unchanged through 1953. This example of a Dodge pickup from the 1948-1950 model years — based on the grille design — was found in Utah. Also, above is an advertisement for the 1949 pickup. (Photo by Jim Prueter)

DIAMOND T (1947) — This 1946 or '47 Diamond T tractor was discovered in a backyard in North Dakota. Diamond T was well known for its reliable military trucks during World War II and it continued to build work trucks and pickups after the war. The owner of this truck has kept it in very restorable condition. At bottom is an advertisement for a 1947 truck. (Photos by Jim Meachen)

DODGE (1966) — The Dodge Monaco started life as a full-sized line in 1965 based on the outgoing Dodge Custom 880 competing with the Ford LTD, Chevrolet Impala and the Plymouth Fury. This 1966 sedan was discovered in retirement in eastern North Carolina. In addition to a sedan, it came hardtop coupe, station wagon, and a hardtop (pillorless) sedan. Available engines were a 6.2-liter and 7.2-liter V-8s. (Photos by Ralph Gable)

EDSEL (1959) — Ford designed the Edsel to be a cut above the Ford to compete with models from GM's Oldsmobile and Pontiac brands and Chrysler's DeSoto. But the Edsel, manufactured for just three model years (1958-1960), never caught on with the public, and was labeled "the wrong car for the wrong time." This 1959 station wagon was found languishing in Santa Rosa, N.M. (Photos by Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman)

DODGE (Mid '50s) — Dodge started selling "Job Rated" trucks in 1939, aimed at getting the customer the truck that fit the job for which it was purchased. The Job Rated designation carried through to the mid-50s when it was dropped. This early '50s Dodge "Job Rated" truck was discovered in Utah by Jim Prueter, its job apparently at an end.

DODGE (1948-50) — Like its competitors, Dodge came out with an all-new pickup truck design for the 1948 model year, which remained basically unchanged through 1953. This example of a Dodge pickup from the 1948-1950 model years — based on the grille design — was found in New Mexico. (Photos by Jim Meachen)

DODGE — This post-war circa 1946 Dodge Power Wagon was used — as indicated by its markings — as a utility truck for a volunteer fire department. It was discovered along the side of the road in western North Carolina. Derived from the Dodge military trucks used in World War II, it was the first civilian 4X4. It was produced in various model series from 1945 to 1981. Dodge resurrected the name in 2005 for a series of Ram Trucks. (Photos by Jim Meachen)

DODGE (1956) — The Dodge lineup was completely redesigned for the 1955 model year, and the new Dodge lineup consisting of the Coronet, Royal and Custom Royal helped revive Chrysler Corp.'s fortunes. This base model 1956 Coronet two-door was discovered in eastern North Carolina. It appears ready for restoration. (Photo by Ralph Gable)

EDSEL (1959) — This 1959 Edsel sedan was discovered languishing among other used up vehicles in a North Carolina junkyard. The Edsel was developed as an upscale brand sandwiched between Ford and Mercury in the Ford Motor Company lineup. But it never caught on selling less than 120,000 copies in three model and was a multimillion dollar failure for Ford. Pictured directly above, an ad for the '59 model. (Photos by Ralph Gable)

DATSUN (1958) — This rare Datsun 1000 four-door sedan was spotted returning to nature in a wooded junk yard by photographer John Harper. The little Nissan would be classified as a sub-compact (city car) in today's market with a  length of 152 inches and a wheelbase of 87.4 inches. Curb weight was just 2,039 pounds. It was powered by a small inline four-cylinder making 34 horsepower and 48 foot-pounds of torque mated to a four-speed manual transmission. The 1958 sedan was the first Nissan offered in the United States retailing for $1,695. A magazine advertisement touted the 1958 model. (Photo by John Harper)

DODGE (1964) — Like counting rings in a stump to determine a tree's age, you might be able to count how many inches the tires of this1964 Dodge Dart, discovered in southern Virginia, have sunk into the dirt to determine how long it has languished in the same location. Keeping it company is an old Chevrolet Suburban. Chrysler built the Dart from 1960 to 1976, first as a full-sized car in 1960-61. After one year as a mid-sizer in 1962, it was given compact car dimensions in 1963. Three engines were available in 1964, a 2.8-liter slant-6, a 3.7-liter slant six and a 4.5-liter V-8. Horsepower ratings were 101, 145 and 180 respectively. (Photo by Ralph Gable)

DODGE (1967) — This abandoned 1967 Dodge Dart was discovered near Winchester, Tenn. The original Dodge Dart, which was built from 1960 through 1976, was on a compact car platform from 1963 onward after starting life as a full-sized car. The Dart was completely restyled in 1967 with a 115-horsepower slant six as the standard engine. In 1967, Dart came in two- and four-door sedans, a hardtop and a convertible. (Photos by Jim Meachen)

DATSUN (1975) — The Z-Car was a popular roadster of the early '70s manufactured by Datsun, now Nissan. An early model Z (either a 240Z or a 260Z) keeps a 1975 280Z company. The 280Z made 149 horsepower from its fuel-injected inline six-cylinder engine. The interior shot is of the 280Z. (Photos by Jim Meachen)

DESOTO (1956) — A DeSoto Firedome lives in the shade of North Carolina pine trees. (Photo by Jim Meachen)

DESOTO (1937) — The rusting remains of a 1937 DeSoto business coupe live in a North Carolina field. Notice the portawall, also known as a whitewall insert, falling off the rear tire. (Photos by Jim Meachen)

DESOTO (1940) At top, a 1940 DeSoto slowly sinks into the soft earth. Above, the DeSoto is the object of attention in this magazine advertisement from 1939 or 1940. The car's wheelbase is a massive 122.5 inches and the engine made 100 horsepower. (Photo by Jim Meachen)

DESOTO (1940) — This 1940 DeSoto sedan, in rather good condition, was spotted in a Wisconsin field. Horsepower from a 228 cubic-inch inline six was increased to 100 at 3,600 rpm for the 1940 model year.  Optional equipment raised the horsepower to 105. DeSoto had a banner year in '40 with more than 65,000 sold. DeSoto's pre-war peak was reached in 1941 with more than 97,000 sales. Above, a page from a 1940 brochure shows the car's seating. Note the sofa-like rear seat complete with arm rests. (Photo by Jerry Brown)

DESOTO (1947) — This well-preserved 1947 De Soto Suburban has been put out to pasture. The long-wheelbase Suburban was built from 1946 through 1954 and arrived from the factory with seating for eight. The two-ton car was powered by Chrysler's inline six-cylinder engine. The luggage rack on top of this car was optional equipment. The Suburban was popular with taxi firms and could be manufactured as a limousine. (Photos by Ralph Gable)

DODGE (1953) — A 1953 Dodge Coronet deteriorates in a field in North Carolina. The Coronet was built from 1949 through 1976. The 1953 model was the first of the second generation Coronets and was sold as a four-door sedan, a coupe and a convertible. Engine choices were a 3.9-liter V-8 making 140 horsepower and a 3.8-liter inline six. (Photos by Jim Meachen)

DODGE (1950) — This  Dodge coupe is still in decent shape. Behind it is a 1947 Chevrolet pickup at an abandoned gas station in northern California. (Photo by Jerry Brown)

DODGE (1968) — Automotive cousins live side by side is this picturesque yard in North Carolina. From left are a 1968 Dodge Dart and a 1970 Plymouth Duster. (Photos by Ralph Gable)

EDSEL — This abandoned Edsel was spotted in a barn near Whitehall, Ind. (Photo by Jerry Brow

 

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