1938 Dodge D8 Touring Sedan - SOLD
     
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This car makes a great first impression and it holds up under scrutiny.

Very nice older restoration still in excellent condition. Runs and drives very well. Beautiful, correct interior with spectacular woodgraining. Great-running inline-6 with excellent reliability. A very nice entry level pre-war car ready to tour!

You can think of Dodge as Chrysler’s step-up brand from Plymouth, akin to Pontiac or Oldsmobile over at GM. Dodges were well-engineered, well-built, sturdy cars that earned a reputation for reliability and competent road manners. In short, they just worked. They were also handsome cars, with styling that avoided the Airflow’s drama and instead focused on a more traditional look. Those reasons are probably why we like this 1938 Dodge so much—it’s handsome, comfortable, and it just works like it’s supposed to. The handsome dark red finish is appropriate to the era and looks dynamite on the curvaceous Dodge’s bodywork. There’s a barrel-shaped grille up front, which was a Chrysler Corporation hallmark, rounded corners on the greenhouse, and a “humpback” trunk that adds cargo space and gives it a big car look. There’s not a lot of chrome, but it uses what’s there quite well and it’s in great shape, having been refinished when the rest of the car was restored some years ago. The paint and bodywork are very well done, offering doors that snap shut with authority, good panel gaps, and no signs of rot or sub-standard workmanship. This car makes a great first impression and it holds up under scrutiny.

There’s big car comfort inside where tan mohair upholstery covers the seats and door panels. It’s exactly right for 1938 and your whole family will enjoy touring in it with no complaints about space. The driver gets a familiar set of controls, starting with a big steering wheel that keeps effort low, a 3-speed manual shifter, and big, round gauges that feature easy-to-read markings. All the gauges are fully operational, which is a nice surprise, and this car is equipped with an optional heater and radio, which were a step up in a Dodge. The locking T-handle on the dash manages the hand throttle for warming the car up, and there are auxiliary switches for the heater and fog lights. And just check out the beautiful woodgraining on the dash and window moldings, and especially the ornate glove box lid—this doesn’t look like a moderately-priced car! There’s room for three in back and all your luggage will fit in the surprisingly spacious trunk, which includes a matching full-sized spare and jack assembly.

The six-cylinder Mopars have always been over-achievers and I will admit that on my first test drive in this Dodge, I was very impressed by how nicely it runs. It starts easily, idles smoothly, and just goes about its business with a minimum of fussing. There’s plenty of torque on tap so downshifting is optional in most situations, and it will happily cruise at 55 MPH without much effort. Having toured with a friend who had one of these cars, I’ll vouch for the fact that it managed to keep up with our 8-cylinder Buick without ever seeming to work very hard. Impressive. The engine is nicely detailed with correct corporate silver engine enamel, a factory air cleaner for the downdraft carburetor, and evidence of recent service work. The transmission shifts smoothly with synchromesh on 2nd and 3rd gears and we believe there are 4.10 gears out back, so it’s peppy around town. The undercarriage is clean, if not detailed for show, but that’s the beauty of a tour car—no worries. Chrysler products always used hydraulic brakes, so it has impressive stopping power for the era, and there’s a recent exhaust system that gives it a hushed, appropriate sound. It even has tube shocks, front and rear, which were fairly advanced for 1938—no one could accuse Chrysler of skimping on the Dodges. Factory 16-inch steel wheels offer hubcaps and trim rings and carry stylish 6.50-16 BFGoodrich wide whitewall tires.

Extras include a shop manual and some spare parts.

This is one of those rare old cars that under-promises and over-delivers. We love the way it drives, but even more than that, we love the way it doesn’t hassle us. Turn the key and start having fun—isn’t that how it’s supposed to be? Call today!

Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.

Vehicle: 1938 Dodge D8 Touring Sedan
Price: SOLD
Stock Number: 119104
Odometer Reading: 15,042
VIN: 30022221
Engine: 218 cubic inch inline-6
Transmission: 3-speed manual
Gear Ratio: 4.0999999999999996
Wheelbase: 115 inches
Wheels: 16-inch steel wheels with hubcaps
Tires: 6.50-16 BFGoodrich wide whitewall
Exterior Color: Burgundy
Interior Color: Tan mohair
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