**Title:** *The Tragic Story of The Dodge Car Brothers* (360P)
**Description:**
Discover the gripping tale of John and Horace Dodge, the visionary siblings who revolutionized the automotive industry—only to meet a heartbreaking end. From their blue-collar roots in Michigan to founding one of America’s most iconic car brands, this documentary unravels their legacy, rivalry with Henry Ford, and the tragedy that cut their lives short.
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### **Key Highlights of the Story**
1. **Humble Beginnings to Automotive Titans**
Born in Niles, Michigan, John (1864) and Horace Dodge (1868) grew up in a family of machinists. Their early careers included bicycle manufacturing and pioneering auto parts for Ransom Olds’ Oldsmobile. By 1903, they became critical suppliers for Henry Ford, securing a 10% stake in Ford Motor Company in exchange for parts and loans.
2. **The Ford Feud**
The brothers played a pivotal role in Ford’s early success, producing engines and transmissions for the Model T. However, tensions rose as Ford sought independence from suppliers. In 1914, the Dodges terminated their contract with Ford and launched their own car company, Dodge Brothers Motor Car Company. Their Model 30-35, priced at $785, boasted innovations like an all-steel body and electric starter, outselling Ford in quality.
3. **A Bitter Legal Battle**
When Ford halted dividend payments to shareholders in 1916, the Dodge brothers sued and won $19 million, forcing Ford to buy back their shares for $25 million in 1919. This feud fueled their ambition to rival Ford’s empire.
4. **Tragic Demise**
In January 1920, John died of pneumonia contracted during the Spanish Flu pandemic while attending the National Automobile Show in New York. Horace, already battling cirrhosis, succumbed to illness 11 months later. Their deaths at ages 55 and 52 shocked the industry and left their company rudderless.
5. **Legacy and Decline**
After their deaths, Dodge Brothers Company passed to their widows, stagnating until its sale to Chrysler in 1928 for $170 million. Despite their empire’s decline, their innovations—like military vehicles used in WWI—cemented their place in automotive history.
---
### **Why Watch This Video?**
- **Untold Stories:** Explore their hard-drinking, brawling personas and clashes with Detroit’s elite.
- **Historical Impact:** Learn how their work with Ford and later rivalry shaped modern car manufacturing.
- **Human Drama:** A tale of brotherhood, ambition, and tragedy during a global pandemic.
---
**Hashtags for Maximum Reach:**
#DodgeBrothers #AutomotiveHistory #FordVsDodge #VintageCars #CarHistory #SpanishFlu #IndustrialRevolution #MoparLegacy #TragicGenius #CarEnthusiasts
**Secondary Tags:** #ClassicCars #AmericanInnovation #BusinessRivalry #HistoricPandemic #DetroitHistory #CarDocumentary #DodgeModel30 #WW1Vehicles #ChryslerHistory
---
**Sources & Further Reading:**
- Dive deeper into their lives via *M
**Description:**
Discover the gripping tale of John and Horace Dodge, the visionary siblings who revolutionized the automotive industry—only to meet a heartbreaking end. From their blue-collar roots in Michigan to founding one of America’s most iconic car brands, this documentary unravels their legacy, rivalry with Henry Ford, and the tragedy that cut their lives short.
---
### **Key Highlights of the Story**
1. **Humble Beginnings to Automotive Titans**
Born in Niles, Michigan, John (1864) and Horace Dodge (1868) grew up in a family of machinists. Their early careers included bicycle manufacturing and pioneering auto parts for Ransom Olds’ Oldsmobile. By 1903, they became critical suppliers for Henry Ford, securing a 10% stake in Ford Motor Company in exchange for parts and loans.
2. **The Ford Feud**
The brothers played a pivotal role in Ford’s early success, producing engines and transmissions for the Model T. However, tensions rose as Ford sought independence from suppliers. In 1914, the Dodges terminated their contract with Ford and launched their own car company, Dodge Brothers Motor Car Company. Their Model 30-35, priced at $785, boasted innovations like an all-steel body and electric starter, outselling Ford in quality.
3. **A Bitter Legal Battle**
When Ford halted dividend payments to shareholders in 1916, the Dodge brothers sued and won $19 million, forcing Ford to buy back their shares for $25 million in 1919. This feud fueled their ambition to rival Ford’s empire.
4. **Tragic Demise**
In January 1920, John died of pneumonia contracted during the Spanish Flu pandemic while attending the National Automobile Show in New York. Horace, already battling cirrhosis, succumbed to illness 11 months later. Their deaths at ages 55 and 52 shocked the industry and left their company rudderless.
5. **Legacy and Decline**
After their deaths, Dodge Brothers Company passed to their widows, stagnating until its sale to Chrysler in 1928 for $170 million. Despite their empire’s decline, their innovations—like military vehicles used in WWI—cemented their place in automotive history.
---
### **Why Watch This Video?**
- **Untold Stories:** Explore their hard-drinking, brawling personas and clashes with Detroit’s elite.
- **Historical Impact:** Learn how their work with Ford and later rivalry shaped modern car manufacturing.
- **Human Drama:** A tale of brotherhood, ambition, and tragedy during a global pandemic.
---
**Hashtags for Maximum Reach:**
#DodgeBrothers #AutomotiveHistory #FordVsDodge #VintageCars #CarHistory #SpanishFlu #IndustrialRevolution #MoparLegacy #TragicGenius #CarEnthusiasts
**Secondary Tags:** #ClassicCars #AmericanInnovation #BusinessRivalry #HistoricPandemic #DetroitHistory #CarDocumentary #DodgeModel30 #WW1Vehicles #ChryslerHistory
---
**Sources & Further Reading:**
- Dive deeper into their lives via *M
Category
🚗
Motor