BF EXCLUSIVE: 1951 Dodge Meadowbrook

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We’ve seen over the past few years a definite surge in interest for 4-door classics. While they still aren’t as desirable as their two-door counterparts, lots of people are starting to see the benefit of saving their money and buying a 4-door classic. This 1951 Dodge Meadowbrook was just listed as a Barn Finds Classified and with an asking price of just $800, it seems like it could be a great buy! We will take a deep dive into this find below, but first here are all the details on how you can buy this 4-door classic. It’s located in Oshkosh, Wisconsin and you can contact the seller either here in our Classifieds or via the form below.

The Meadowbrook was Dodge’s full-size mid-level trim offering from 1949 to 1954. In 1951, the car was treated to a refresh, with a reworked front-end, larger windshield, and a new dashboard. These changes gave the Meadowbrook a very clean look that is comparable to what Chevrolet and Ford were producing at the time. Personally, I really like the way these Dodge’s look and the fact that they aren’t nearly as common as the cars they competed with.

According to the seller, this Dodge is a barn find that was running in just the past 10 years. Unfortunately, it won’t start now and there’s no word on the exact cause of its woes or whether the engine spins freely or not. They do state that it’s equipped with the 230 cui inline-six engine that was rated at 103 horsepower, which was the standard engine for the Meadowbrook in ’51. It’s a robust and smooth running engine, so as long as it spins there’s a good chance you can get it running with minimal work. Of course, dropping a V8 into it would be a more interesting and fun option, but getting the six running again would be the cheapest option.

While it isn’t a terribly valuable classic, even in pristine condition, this seems like a great option for anyone just looking to get into the hobby or if you are on a tight budget and want a classic you can wrench on and make into a comfortable cruiser. If my sons were older, I’d be tempted to buy it so that they would have a classic to learn on that isn’t too powerful to be dangerous, is affordable, and is still unique. And if it turns out the engine can’t be saved, it could be a good parts donor or a candidate for a V8 swap. What do you think though? Is this a good starter classic?

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Comments

  1. Avatar Psychofish2

    Because it’s the hobby’s knee jerk reaction: “Two many doors”.

    Anything to feel superior to the other guy.

    Of course, dropping a V8 into it would be a more interesting and fun option,

    More interesting? Been done to death. Like “Two many doors”, a knee jerk response to an old car.

    When was the last time anyone actually saw a flathead six? Far more interesting than yet another “resto-mod”.

    Like 15
    • Avatar Charles Turner

      You are so right! Finally someone gets what I’ve said quite a few times now…….thank you sir for your (not so common anymore) common sense.

      Like 6
  2. Avatar Karl

    Nice car that isn’t another Tri – 5 Chevy.
    If this engine is done, what about a slant 6 ?
    Hope it finds a good home.

    Like 4
  3. Avatar Frank of Eden

    Love any FLAT HEAD! Flat Head straight Eights are Great! But the sixes are an over looked very well functioning engine. I learned to love the 50 through 53 Dodge, Chrysler, Plymouths when I was very young. A friend and I were wondering around a auto parts yard, after riding our bikes to the place… and found one of those cars just sitting on a row out back. Low and behold it had keys in it! So we jumped in and tried to start it. It fired right up, and of course being “non legal drivers” we took it for a ride around the yard… up and down the rows of other non running cars, and when we were done we backed it into the place we found it.
    The car was one of those with a red clutch peddle that had “safety Clutch” printed on it. We had no idea what that meant, but found out quickly it was a fluid clutch system where we could start and stop the car without using the clutch at all and use only one gear too. A marvelous idea!
    Since driving that old car in about 1960 I have always wanted one. Sad we couldn’t save that one, as there seemed to be nothing wrong with it, and it seemed to have all the bells and whistles of the day, even a working radio. We guessed the owners just couldn’t sell it so they sold it to the parts yard.

    Like 1
  4. Avatar Johnny

    Nice looking little Dodge. Great and a reasonable price too. . Congratulations on the lucky person who bought it.

    Like 3
    • Avatar Craig

      Lucky indeed… My “Gen Z” son is joining the workforce as a certified mechanic and has never seen a flathead engine let alone had a chance to work on one. This will be his project. We’re simply going to preserve the car as it is, replace the broken rear window, new brakes, etc. Didn’t know this story was on the internet, simply responded to the ad within 30 minutes of posting and got “lucky” enough to be the one to carry on it’s legacy. Hope everyone finds a project that brings them closer to their loved ones!

      Like 3
      • Avatar Karl

        Best of luck to your Son both in his career, and with the car.
        Thanks for saving it.

        Like 1
      • Avatar James Sayre

        One thing about these old Mopar flat 6 cyl, they use a water distribution tube that cools the valves, if this tube is bad this engine will overheat. This tube is located behind the water pump in the block. We have had several of these flat 6 cyls and most of them gat parked because they were overheating.

        Like 0
  5. Avatar Robt

    Nice basic car at a great price. Getting the old flathead running would be the ticket.
    Could be an easy project to get it up and running my guess.
    Reminds me of a ‘60 4dr bel air I had in eighty’s. In-line 6 w/column mounted 3spd. Great runner. And the 4 doors let everybody pile in for the ride.

    Like 1
    • Avatar Robt

      Mostly, it’s not a ford or a chevy. Somebody got lucky.

      Like 0
  6. Avatar Keith

    Classic Classic Classic Classic Classic Classic-Six times you referred to this old Dodge as a Classic! Gimme a break. I’m not trying to be a “purist” but no knowledgeable car enthusiast ( and I consider you to be one) should consider this a Classic. I like old Mopars as well (or better) than the next guy, having had a ’41 Chrysler & Hemi-powered ’54 Dodge Royal 2 door hardtop and I wouldn’t consider either of them the “C” word. This is a marginally desirable old car and will never be anything more. By the way, really Barn Finds!

    Like 1

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