Kew Dodge (1950)
Brief History / General Information
Mr Holmes bought the Dodge Tipper in 1957 from an auction to carry bulk coal to the power stations. In 1967 after working day and night for ten hard years, the tipper body was removed and the chassis extended by four foot to take a flatdeck body to deliver bagged coal. In 1976 it took it's last work breath after throwing a con rod through the side of the engine block. It was towed back to the coal yard and used for parts to keep the other Dodge's on the road. A Mr Clegg from Yorkshire purchased the Dodge in 1982 for restoration, but sadly died before the project was finished. Christine Thomas purchased it in November 2002 from Leeds where it had stood for some time.
It is undergoing a light restoration at the moment to prepare it for the show season in 2003. This type of truck was featured in the 1956 film "Hell Driver's" starring Stanley Baker and Patrick McGoohan, and a young Sean Connery. It has recently been shown on Carlton Movie channel. Spare parts are a particlar problem as few of these models still exist today. However it is hoped that we can use these pages to bring togther like minded individuals who have an interest in the Kew Dodge Trucks of the 1950's.
As you can see from the images in the vehicle's Restoration Gallery we have started the restoration by taking the body off and preparing the chassis and mudguards. Some work is also being carried out on the engine particularly setting the carburation and igniton timing. As work progresses we will continue to update these web pages with images and narrative.
As found approx.1970. Then owned by Mr Holmes, Coal Merchant of Bourne, Lincolnshire. The truck started life with a tipper body.
1950 Kew Dodge 5 Ton.
Chrysler 6 Cylinder side valve. Shown in its current condition.