Dodge · 1916–1922

Dodge Model 30

The Dodge 30 was an American car produced by Dodge, the commercial version of which was known as the Dodge Series One. Introduced in 1916, the Model 30 was a development of the company's earlier 30-35, and remained in production until 1922. The Model 30 and Series One were used extensively by the US Army during the First World War.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Dodge 30-35 · Successor: Dodge 116

All Dodge Model 30 data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

Design

The Dodge Model 30 was a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive car, originally available as a 4-door 5-seat soft-top tourer, a 2-door 2-seat soft-top roadster, a 4-door 5-seat hard-top sedan, a 2-door 2-seat hard-top coupe, or a 2 or 4-door "Rex" model with a removable hard-top produced by the Rex Manufacturing Co. of Indiana. The Model 30 had a slightly longer wheelbase than the preceding 30-35, being 114 in (2.90 m). The Model 30 retained the engine of the 30-35. The engine was a Dodge designed 212.3 cu in (3,479 cc) straight-four L-head petrol with a bore and stroke of 3+7⁄8 in × 4+1⁄2 in (98 mm × 114 mm). The engine produced 35 bhp (26 kW) at 2,000 rpm. The Model 30 was driven through a 3-forward, 1 reverse manual transmission and was fitted with a multiple dry disc clutch. Series One commercial versions were rated for 1⁄2 short ton (0.45 t) payloads. Series One commercial vehicles were almost completely derived from the Model 30 car, differing only in that they had heavier springs, a higher angled steering column and their fuel tank was relocated under the bench seat. Originally they were only available as a pickup truck with removable wire and canvas screen sides and roof. In 1918 a hard sided panel truck body was also made available.

History

The Model 30 was a development of Dodge's first car model, the 30-35 which was introduced in 1914. In July 1916, Dodge switched production to the Model 30, the primary differences from the 30-35 being a 4 in (100 mm) longer wheelbase, repositioned lights, restyled hood and four new body styles, upon introduction base models cost US$835. The first commercial vehicles produced by Dodge were introduced in 1917, based on the Model 30. Production was 90,000 in 1917, 62,000 in 1918, 106,000 in 1919, 141,000 in 1920, 81,000 in 1921 and 142,000 in 1922. In 1923 the Model 30 was succeeded in production by the Series 116, and the Series One was replaced by the 3⁄4 short ton (0.68 t) Series Two. Military service. The first military use of the Dodge cars occurred in 1916, when a number of touring cars were included in the motor column of the punitive Pancho Villa Expedition, commanded by General John J. Pershing. During the expedition Dodge cars were used alongside Ford Model Ts as both staff cars and reconnaissance vehicles, in the latter role their range, speed, durability and reliability were found to be far superior to horse mounted cavalry. During the campaign, Pershing abandoned his official Buick Six staff car in favour of a smaller but more mobile Dodge. Upon the US entry to the First World War in 1917, large numbers of Model 30s were ordered by the US Army. The Model 30 was selected as the US Army's standard staff car during the War, and orders were placed for 8,559 soft-top, 3,201 hard-top and 550 two-seat roadster staff cars. Additionally, orders were placed for 9,352 Model 30 light delivery trucks, 1,012 light repair trucks, and a smaller number of ambulances produced on the same chassis. The light delivery truck, ambulance and light repair truck were based on the Seri

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name: Dodge Model 30
Manufacturer: Dodge
Production: 1916–1922
Body style: 4-door tourer, 2-door roadster, 4-door sedan, 2-door coupe, 2-door screen-sided pickup truck, 2-door panel truck
Layout: Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Engine: Dodge 212.3 cuin, inline-4 L-head petrol, 35 bhp at 2,000 rpm
Transmission: 3F1R
Wheelbase: 114 in
Length: NNN in
Width: NNN in
Height: NNN in
Kerb weight: NNN -
Predecessor: Dodge 30-35
Successor: Dodge Series 116
sp: us

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1234086CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodge_Model_30CC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1366930748 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dodge4Door1920.jpgPublic domain · Photo: see file page · retrieved 2026-10-01
Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.