Rare 1937 Dodge D5 Business Coupe restored by former Utahn

OGDEN—Kelsey Manning’s 1937 Dodge Brothers D5 Business Coupe has been in Utah, and his family, since it was purchased new by his father in 1937.

Manning’s father hopped trains, from Ogden to Detroit, to pick the car up from the assembly line. The car was a gift to Manning’s mother, and would be the only vehicle she ever owned. Little did they know the car would stay in Utah, and in their family, for decades.

After Manning’s mother passed away in 1972 the car was given to him under the condition that it would never be sold. At the time Manning was young and the car was given to his cousin to take care of until he came of age. Once he came of age, Manning decided to pick the car up from his cousin. After a legal battle for ownership ensued, he finally took legal ownership in 1996.

Shortly after picking up the car Manning knew it needed to be restored. He started collecting parts from all over the country to bring the 59 year old Dodge back.

Parts were collected from 1996 to 2012. All of the work done on the car was performed by Manning and his son, aside from the body and paint. The restoration started in 2012 and finished in the spring of 2014. Manning estimated that the restoration cost about $50,000 but if he and his son hadn’t performed the majority of the work themselves it would have been more than double what they spent.

The powertrain in the car is all original. Everything from the 95 horsepower inline-six to the three-speed manual transmission. The car’s interior was changed from mohair upholstery to a more modern two-toned grey cloth. The paint was also changed from the original lacquer based flat black to a glossy two-toned dark blue pearl with black accented fenders and hood center. The entire wiring harness throughout the car was redone with new insulation and then wrapped in period correct loom to maintain the all original look. The car also maintains the factory six volt electric system.

“The car isn’t perfect, but it’s pretty dang close,” Manning said.

Manning and his 1937 Dodge currently reside in Preston, Idaho.