We’re going out on a limb here and identifying this 1937 Dodge as a D5 as the seller provides few details and has no paperwork on this warehouse find. It’s been stored indoors for 37 years (1986), which may have kept it from disintegrating over time. Located in Waterbury, Connecticut, this old warrior is going to need a lot of work, but when was the last time you saw one of these machines? It’s available here on Facebook Marketplace for $4,000. Thanks for the cool vintage tip, Mark!
The 1937 Dodge D5 was a one-year model. It replaced the D2, which was similar in engineering and appearance, and itself was superseded by the D8 in 1938. The car retained the 218 cubic inch flathead straight-six engine from before that put out 87 hp. As was the norm of the day, the motor was paired with a 3-speed manual transmission (“3 on the tree”). At first glance, the D5 looked like the D2 but they did differ in grille and headlight treatments. The seller’s 4-door sedan must be the “Touring” edition as there was an enclosed luggage compartment provided.
Dodge sold plenty of these autos in 1937, 295,047 to be exact, but the breakdown by body style is more elusive. Likely, the seller’s car hasn’t run in at least 37 years, so who knows how much work will be needed to get it running, much less look presentable once again. Hopefully, no furry denizens of the warehouse have gotten inside and chewed things up. The interior looks like that of a car that was abandoned long ago. Since there is no documentation, we hope your DMV won’t make you jump through too many hoops.
Says 3 on the tree, but the pic shows a floor shifter
It’s not a three on the tree, but on the floor. My dad drove a 39 Dodge 7 passenger sedan for at least the first ten years of my life and I don’t know how many years before I was born. It was a cool car with two opposing round jump seats that could be lowered flat with the floor boards or raised for seating for light weight passengers. Since I was the youngest of the herd of siblings I usually got to ride on one of those, or stand behind my dad if there were to many passengers. It was black with grey mohair interior. It probably wouldn’t be to difficult to get it titled in Texas if you go to the right DMV.
God Bless America
What about coupe in the background???
I was wondering about that too – looks like a ton ‘o fun!
No paperwork? So who owns it?
I like it and it would be fun for a drummer than needed space for drums
on a band vehicle that was cheap to operate given the flathead and carb.
Nice find, but no tags or paperwork.
Bob
Perfect candidate for the street restomod I’ve always wanted to build but never could fit in my over run schedule of rebuilds and restoration.
Looks to be a good solid blank canvas,I got a 70,000 mile lt1 inj motor that would be at home under the hood coupled with an updated third member and a disc brake frt clip from a 72 riviera that I also have it would make a cool reliable rat rod on a budget.dare to be different.
Cool car, I like the old warehouse too, seems like there are some other finds in there too!
Well it has a modern plate on the back depending on rodents you might find something in the glove box don’t know how Connecticut keeps its records but you might be able to take that plate in and work towards getting title that way.
‘ Could sure use a few more pictures! My first car was a ’37 Plymouth – very similar to the Dodge. Many years earlier, my Dad had ’36 and ’37 DeSotos, and no, not Airflows. They too were pretty much the same body shells as Plymouth and Dodge. I can tell you there is a HUGE difference between a ’36 and a ’37 model. The ‘37s were much wider. You could not seat three adults in the front seat of a ’36, but you could easily do so in a ’37 – with a minor concession from the middle passenger to accommodate the FLOOR-mounted shift lever. The three didn’t move into the tree until 1939.
I don’t think this car is as bad as Russ suggests. Again, the seller does us no favors with his lack of pictures. Especially some focusing on the rust-prone areas of these cars: floors, sills, door bottoms, running boards, and what about structural members viewed from underneath?
Are the mechanicals all there? Does the engine turn? Does this car have the optional Borg Warner overdrive? (My dad’s ’37 DeSoto had it.)
If all these questions could be answered in the positive, $4000 is still a bit high but perhaps in the range. I sure have a sweet spot for these old flat-head prewar Mopars.
this was my car back in the 80s
pop cans
Without a title or paperwork can the seller even prove it’s his to sell? A little dicy here.
well if he has the keys to the warehouse that’s a start to show he is the car owner.
Try proving that in court! But, as Troy suggests, if there is a plate, there must be a registration somewhere. The glovebox, maybe??? Under the front seat? They used to strap ‘em on to the steering column in some states…
Question: did Connecticut title cars back in 1937? If not, and the registration cannot be found, how about a dup registration from the DMV? I would think that if you explained to them or the state police that somebody is trying to sell you the car, it might get someone’s attention.
i left everything in the glove box when i sold it to him. i heard mice ate it
In CT. you dont need a title for a car built before 1970. A previous registration and a bill of sale are all that’s needed . As long as the owner has proof of ownership, he can legally sell it.
This indeed is a 1937, Dodge Brothers Four Door Touring Sedan. I would not worry about the engine they are survivors. I bought a 37 like this for a donner car for my 1938 Dodge Brothers Four Door Touring Sedan. This looks in great shape.
I like the “banjo” steering wheels of that Era. Dad’s ’38 Pontiac had a banjo wheel
this was my car from 1980 to 1990 i bought it when i was 17. used it as an every day driver up to when i sold it ..i bought those tires from sears .. lol