1944 Dodge??

[Guest Brockenspecter]

I saw what looked to be a 1942 Dodge D-22C 4-door sedan at a local gas station, the owner of which is an old car lover. The owner wasn't around, but I got out to inspect the car. It had very weathered paint, and pitted chrome on the bumpers. The trim and grille were not chromed. It looked like a late-production blackout 1942. However, the New York registration sticker had the following printed on it: 1944 Dodge!

Is it possible some limited production of Dodges (perhaps other makes also?) were produced during the war for military staff use or essential civilian use? Or was it one of the late 1942 models frozen in storage by government edict, and released for sale in 1944, hence the 1944 registration? I suspect the latter, but even so, if it was titled as a new car in 1944, it can certainly be considered a 1944 model by virtue of its registration.

Has anyone come across a 1943, 1944, or 1945 U.S. car of any make?

[Young Ed]

I believe there were some cars held for release by the gov. Also trucks considered cruicial were still built. So you can find a 43 or 44 fire truck or something along those lines. And trucks resumed in 45 as blackout models atleast for dodges. I parted out a 45 blackout.

[mikk506WA]

I have a 44 chevy ton&1/2 was built with no chrome only painted handles and stuff & the welds on the windshield pillar where left not ground down.

I have since put the cab on a motor home chasy and added a 454 and 1-ton 4x4 running gear, and a dump bed. it will make one fine scrap truck for work.

[greg g]

Every thing I have read says that automobile production was ceased in 1942 by government edict. Unsold inventory was administered by a bureau within the war department. The were distributed the military and perhaps sold to civilians with critical needs. (doctors had priority) Many states issued registrations and titles based on when a new car was sold not when it was manufactured. So it is possible the car was built in 42, held until sold to and registered by some one or a business in 1944 in one of the states that did the reg by sales date. Farm trucks and tractors were another story, and many 30's sedans got made into pickup trucks to transport pruduce from victory gardens, and get some additional gas.

Here is a link to a site detailing these restrictions. Note there was an application to get certificate to allow the purchase of a 1942 car for persons in critical need.

http://www.alumnibhs.com/old%20geezer%20photos/ww2%20ration%20stamps.htm

Also the national speed limit of 36 mph was imposed to help you stretch your weekly allotment. A speeding ticket could cause you to loose some of your ration tickets.