VIN: 31051434

1948 Dodge 2-Door Sedan, Original Green with Brown Interior, Fluid Drive Three-Speed, Heater, Fully Documented from New, Three Family Owners from New, Time Capsule, Unrestored Survivor, Exceptional Automobile, Fully Mechanically Sorted/Serviced with recent fluid service.

This 1948 Dodge DeLuxe 2-Door Sedan was purchased new by a Mr. and Mrs. Newcomer in Greensburg, Pennsylvania on March 3, 1948. The original owners kept the car for nearly 20 years and 58,000 miles while maintaining it to the highest standards.

The Dodge was then traded in on March 23, 1966 at Greengate Motors in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. The owner of that dealership (Joseph Petrella) liked the car so much that he put it in his personal collection. Over the years, the Dodge was used for special events at the dealership as well as the occasional show. For more than 30 years, Mr. Patrella stored the car at his home in a climate-controlled garage. Due to his death, ownership was transferred to his wife (Celestine Petrella) on February 6, 2001. In the summer of 2003, Mrs. Petrella decided to sell the car and placed an ad in the Greensburg Tribune Review (original ad included in the sale).

The third owner and his brother were looking to build a street rod. They saw the ad in the Greensburg Tribune Review and setup an appointment to inspect the Dodge. Upon seeing the car, they both were amazed by the condition of the car and instantly agreed it would me shameful to modify such a preserved automobile. Still, they quickly decided to purchase the car as they both loved preserving historical items, especially automobiles. The purchase was completed and the car was moved to the new storage location in Somerset, Pennsylvania in August of 2003. Over the next six years, the Dodge sat as other projects took precedence.

In 2009, the third owner passed away and his brother took possession of the car. The Dodge was transporter back to the brother’s home in Grand Rapids, Michigan in the summer of 2010. A full mechanical and light cosmetic restoration began on the car. The goal was to finally bring the car back to life—making it safe and roadworthy for shows—without ruining the originality of the automobile. The interior and exterior were only detailed and polished other than the repair of the right rear fender due to old minor damage from a scrape. The Dodge was fully gone through mechanically (see below list). The car still has a number of tasteful, period aftermarket items that were installed by the original owner including seat covers, body-colored rain shields/sun visor, and front chrome over-riders (made in Grand Rapids, Michigan in the 1950s).

In April of 2014, a full service was performed on the Dodge including:
-Change engine oil
-Drain fuel, adjust fuel sender, add fresh fuel
-Drain and fill fluid drive
-Service heater blower motor

Included in the sale is a binder with the full history of the car including:
-Copy of the original 1948 title including the noted sale to Greengate Motors in 1966
-Copy of the paperwork of that dealer transaction (trade-in) in 1966
-Copy of the title in the name of Greengate Motors
-Copy of the title in the name of Celestine Petrella (upon the death of Mr. Patrella)
-Copy of the title from the sale in 2003
-Copy of the title when transferred to the brother
-Photos of Pennsylvanian storage location and during the transport to Michigan
-The original ad from July 3, 2003 in the Greensburg Tribune Review
-The original Pennsylvania registration documents from 1949-1953
-Original Sunoco Sunchex book of Mr. and Mrs. Newcomer from the 1950s
-Original Gulf record book showing notes from a 1956 summer road trip from Greensburg, Pennsylvania to Colorado and back.
-The original 1948 Dodge owner’s manual
-Original Thompson Repair and Tune-Up Manual for the car

Here is a list of all the recent mechanical work performed on the car:
-Remove, clean, and repair the radiator
-Remove and clean the fuel tank
-Install all new fuel lines
-Install all new brake lines
-Install new shocks
-Replace brake master cylinder
-Rebuild transmission/fluid drive system
-Replace all wheel (brake) cylinders
-Install all new brake shoes
-Replace clutch disc, pressure plate, pilot bearing, and throw-out bearing
-Repair parking brake linkage
-Replace rear differential seals and axle bearings
-Remove and totally rebuild the engine
-Replace all belts and hoses
-Replace water pump and thermostat
-Replace generator
-Replace battery
-Clean and reinstall the starter
-Repair all electric lights
-Replace radiator cap
-Replace turn signal switch
-Replace spark plugs
-Install new muffler and tailpipe
-Replace motor mounts
-Replace fuel pump
-Replace front axle bearings and seals
-Replace distributor cap, rotor, and ignition wires
-Rebuild carburetor
-Install four new tires
-Replace all fluids