Wow, it has been a long and busy winter here in Lake Tahoe. It’s been a while since I have posted an update, so here it is. New for this month in the Boutique are one of the wonderful items that make Dodge boats different from other marques: Dodge used red rubber ‘boots’ over the crimped and soldered wiring connections in the boats produced at the Newport News factory after 1929, and we are now offering reproductions of these ‘boots’. And yes, we can send you documentation pictures of these boots in use on original boats to convince even the most jaded contest judge of their authenticity....;)

Time to get your Dodge boat out of its winter slumber!

The molds for the new Dodge foot pads are now on complete and I can begin selling parts from them, visit the Boutique page for more information. We had a string of Spring weather here in South Lake Tahoe, but woke up to 6” of snow this morning, sigh.....

Yes, the newsletter is finished, I hope all of you loyal DBOA members like it. Chock full of rare Dodge ads, stories, and updates. Much work continuing on Russialoid vinyl reproduction, the Dodge Model 102-A project, and much more. It is prime-time for the hardcore work of Dodge research here in South Lake Tahoe, with about 4’ of snow on the ground it keeps us from cabin fever! The Dodge Factory in Newport News, VA. has been torn down, but the land is for sale, just under a million for some great ocean-front real estate, anyone want to team up to buy it?

All the best and a joyous Christmas to all of our DBOA members! The annual newsletter is nearing completion and it sure is a special one, full of the many Dodge happenings from 2010. Expect it in your mailbox (and email folder for those who signed up for the digital edition) the second week of January.

Work continues on the reproduction of that most rare upholstery material: Russialoid, as used in most Dodge boats made after 1929 in the Newport News factory. Mostly employed in blue, it was also available in red, as documented on the 1935 Dodge Model 102-A Racing Runabout that I am currently restoring. The interesting thing about Russialoid was its very distinctive printed pattern. The base vinyl had almost no physical texture, the heavy ‘oxen’ grain texture was a printed effect.
So, I have teamed with vehicle upholstery guru Rod Souza to re-create this material. We have scanned an actual full size skin, and identified the print roller ‘repeat’. The grain print has been separated from the background base color, and a full screen is being developed with the original Russialoid grain pattern.
The detail and dedication involved in this project has taken over two years to bring to fruition, and there will be four boats debuting this year that will be using it.

Best regards- Dave Triano, DBOA