No Roads? No Prob. This 1916 Dodge Made Alaskan History

From Mud to Glaciers: Alaska’s First Uber did the unthinkable! Step into Alaska’s rugged motoring past with the 1916 Dodge Model 30-35—a true pioneer of Arctic travel and one of the earliest all-steel bodied cars built to brave the wild. In this video, Willy and Bobby take you around one of the toughest cars of its era, designed to replace horse-drawn carriages and dog sleds with speed, strength, and dependability. Used as a stage line vehicle, this car once shuttled passengers from Fairbanks to Valdez—a treacherous route over 360 miles long, with no true roads at the time. Passengers were bundled in bear skins to survive the frigid temperatures, and the ride was far from cushy—but it was fast, by 1916 standards. At a time when most cars were still built with wood, Dodge made history by introducing the first mass-produced car with an all-steel body—perfect for Alaska’s punishing terrain. Compared to the popular Ford Model T, which offered just 20 horsepower, the Dodge’s 4-cylinder engine delivered a robust 30–35 horsepower, giving it the edge on rough trails and muddy river crossings. This very car is more than just an artifact—it's a survivor. Still sporting its original paint, upholstery, and scars from the road, this preservation-class Dodge is a piece of living history. Its frame, broken and repaired three times, tells the story of a machine that refused to quit. Fun Fact: In 2013, this very Dodge was driven once again from Fairbanks to Valdez. The only mechanical failure? The coil—replaced with a modern unit from Delta Junction, and it kept rolling. This video is more than a walkaround—it’s a tribute to the machine that connected Alaskans in a time when isolation was the norm. From hand-crank starts to high-horsepower innovation, the Dodge Model 30-35 was the workhorse that built a stage line and bridged two frontiers. *** Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction to Alaska's First Taxi 0:18 - Car Design and Innovation 1:05 - Historical Arrival in Fairbanks 1:49 - Transportation Revolution 2:31 - Pioneering Journey 3:37 - Technical Specifications 4:59 - Legacy of the 1916 Dodge *** Visit us at the Fountainhead Antique Auto Museum to see this rare piece of #history in action. Our living #museum brings #vintage cars to life, offering an immersive experience. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more fascinating stories and automotive adventures. Subscribe here:    / @fountainheadmuseum   Thanks for your support! #classiccars #automobile #vintagecars #automotiveindustry #automotivehistory #carculture #museummoment #travelalaska