As I look at this 1935 Dodge DU 5-Window Coupe, it sets my mind racing with possibilities. The vehicle runs and drives, so it could conceivably be used as it currently stands. Its rust issues are minimal, which could make it a great candidate as a restoration project. The more adventurous amongst you might also see the perfect platform for a street rod. All it needs now is for someone to take it on, and to realize the dream that they have for it. The Coupe is located in Jefferson City, Missouri, and is listed for sale here on eBay. Bidding currently stands at $7,600, but the reserve isn’t met.
The exterior of the Coupe looks pretty tired. The paint is flaking, and there is plenty of surface corrosion to be seen. However, actual penetrating rust seems to be limited to a small area on the lower rear valance. The rest of the body appears to be solid, as do the floors and frame. The underside does wear some pretty heavy surface corrosion, so this would need to be addressed before it had a chance to deteriorate any further. All of the trim and chrome appears to be present, although it will also need some work to return it to its best. The story with the glass is largely positive. The glass in both doors is cracked, so it should probably be replaced. The remaining glass appears to be perfect, with no signs of chips, cracks, or clouding.
Powering the Dodge is a 217.8ci flathead six-cylinder engine, producing 87hp. These ponies find their way to the rear wheels via a 3-speed manual transmission. The story behind the Dodge is that it was stored away by its original owner in 1984 and only emerged from hiding around 4-years-ago. The current owner went through the process of returning the car to a roadworthy state. This included replacing the master cylinder and all of the wheel cylinders. It looks like the Coupe also received a new set of whitewall tires. The positive news is that the vehicle now starts, runs, and drives okay. It seems that there are no reasons why it couldn’t be driven and enjoyed as it currently stands. However, the fuel is supplied by an aftermarket tank that is sitting in the trunk, so the next owner might want to change this to free up some trunk space. Of course, there is also the possibility that the buyer might choose to undertake a full restoration. If they do, then I suspect that the engine bay might be given a bit of a birthday. I generally tend to advocate for restoration or preservation with vehicles of this vintage, but I can see why someone might see the Dodge as a prime candidate for a street rod project. The style and shape of the Coupe lend itself perfectly to such a project. When you take a long look at the engine bay, there is no doubt that there is plenty of room to slot something more potent under the hood without having to do a lot of cutting of the original steel.
Time marches on, and it seems to have marched across some parts of the interior in hobnail boots. The seat looks particularly dilapidated and will need a new cover and new padding. The rest of the interior is looking tired around the edges and would benefit from a refresh. It is worth noting that everything inside the Coupe, including all of the gauges, functions exactly as it should. That means that if the buyer felt inclined, they could throw a blanket over the seat and hit the road immediately in this old girl. I can picture in my mind just how nice this interior would look if it was restored. However, if someone wanted to drive it as an original and unrestored survivor, that would be an approach that would have my blessing.
This 1935 Dodge DU 5-Window Coupe does offer a world of possibilities for its next owner. I’ve skimmed over a few of them, and haven’t even considered the possibility of a rat rod project. Its physical appearance and condition would make it an ideal candidate for that as well. I have to admit that I’m torn when it comes to the question of what to do with it. How about you? Do you have a vision for it, and is that vision strong enough to encourage you to bid on this old beauty?
A very complete car for being a `35! I would do a frame-off of it, but perhaps change the color to something lighter that would show off it’s lines. A nice cream shade with rust-colored rims perhaps?
I wouldnt touch the outside. Maybe do a little interior work. Redo the seats and floor for comfort, at most. And just drive and enjoy it. That thing is too cool, man.
For the love of Mike…
Leave that car as it is, it is a time machine.
Once changed, it would never be that original again.
There are others out there that are not as original, that can be rodded, modded or ratted.
Would a slant 6 fit in the engine bay?
Slant six with Power Pak heads and an Aussie-style intake; someone should be writing this down!
I tried to replace the 218 flathead in my 1948 Dodge Business Coupe as my first hotrod project. The slant six, I found out was longer and I would have needed much modification. Since it was the fluid drive I did not care for and I had already sold the engine, I bought a 1939 Dodge truck fh 6, which became my first engine rebuild.
Looks to me like this ole girl was a light gray originally by the color of the firewall.The fenders appear to have cracked and been welded up. Drives okay? Yeah I imagine if you think your old car should wander all over the road. The interior is just a little too ratty to suit me. The rubber floor mats are crumbling and the upholstery is going fast. My guess from the engine pic is that she’s blowing some oil too.If I wasn’t so old and tired I’d take her on tho. Beautiful lines and a great start to work from.
Looks to me that eight spark plug wires are working their way over the top of the block.
The loom holds the six plug wires and the coil wire (the coil is on the passenger side of the firewall). I don’t know for sure what looks to be an eighth plug wire is on this car, but that engine is a six. I have a 218 in my ’41 Plymouth.
I’m in the “keep it original” camp on this one – recover the front seat for comfort’s sake and go through it to make it as reliable as possible. If more performance is desired, hot rod the flathead and install a R10 overdrive tranny so you can keep up on the interstate. Those are the parts I’ve been collecting for my ’41.
Choke cable?
Interesting find. Fix it the wY you want and drive the wheels off of it. Fun car!
Spend a fortune and a lot of time to make this car absolutely perfect and what do you have? Something that isn’t nearly as cool as what it is now. Perfect cares are a dime a dozen.
Those bumpers are, like, two feet away from the car, making it 4 feet longer. Just odd how far they stick out.
you are right and I had to look at those bumpers.
Wow, anothr phlathesd! I’m so exhizted I kan haerdly sphell!
This one is KEWL!
I would lift the body and do all the frame cleaning and painting and new body mounts! Any brakes, lines, tank, and repairs would be done at that time including the bottom of the body. any repairs that were needed. welding etc. While I was doing that, I figure a good 3 months being retired, Would repad and recover the seats. Reall I would want to replace them with the 91 Cadillac black leather I have if they would be able to be fit in properly. If not, recover. The body looks OK for me to drive for now. I have a 78 Chrysler motorhome with a 440 Auto I would put in. Thyen as I was enjoying the car, I would be working on the body as I felt like it, until she was great! I had a 1968 Sport satellite that was dark green. Loved that original green on that car. I think it would look good on this one too. Only problem I have is the price. I have enough money to buy. But then couldn’t fix. I have a lot of what I need to do the car. So, if it6 was given to me I could fix it. If I had to buy it, my fix money is gone! Hey, Story of my life!!!
The shine appears to be clear coat or the Barrett Jackson spray shine.
Neat car
The slant six is a great engine and there are loads of antique Dodges out there that came with it. You want one, buy one. But for cryin’ out loud, please keep this car original. But these old flat-heads remained in Chrysler’s line-up for close to 30 years – in different sizes – because they were very solid workhorses. They did the job. Not exciting maybe, but oh so reliable. Drive this car as is, or restore it. Add the old Borg-Warner OD if you can find one and upgrade the brakes if you’re going to drive it on interstates. My first car was a ’37 Plymouth. It did not wonder all over the road. Even when I got it up close to 80 mph on one or two occasions.
Make it safe and drive it. We have enough hot rods. Save the ones that are this nice.
is that a bulge on the right rear tire or are the white walls really “portawalls”?
Why does author Clarke even mention “custom”? A sweet original car like this should never be considered for any modification. Like some of the above comments, we already have multitudes of hot rods, they’re out numbering the original cars. Sooner or later no one will be able to know what an original car looks like.