Dennis Ballard, an owner of 158 cars for years, has shared his story about his 1917 Dodge Coupe.

In 1999, when Ballard was with his soon-to-be married daughter looking through bridal magazines, a one-line advertisement caught his eye – to think that the “1917 Dodge Coupe, for sale” would give him the chance to own a very rare car.

With no second thought, Ballard immediately called a friend who lived in the US to find out more about the sale through the American phone number affixed in the advertisement. He said, “He rang the number for me and said it was genuine, that it had been in storage from 1933 to 1998… It turned out the publishers had the ad in the wrong book, it was meant to go in some sort of motor cataloque in the States, but that didn’t happen.” Probably, it was something destined him.

Aware that it was a special model, he bought the 1917 Dodge with his $US4800. He further spent $2000 to bring it to Australia, which took him two years to finally have it in.

Ballard’s Dodge turned out to be the earliest American model displayed at the 21st annual All Chrysler Day at Fairfield Showground. For such, Ballard considered the wedding plans some kind of luck until now. He said, “If she hadn’t been at me to look at them I wouldn’t have seen it, it’s just incredible luck, it’s a very rare car and was in absolute top condition.”

Ballard knew that his Dodge is in fact the oldest known surviving Dodge Coupe (indeed a very valuable piece of history) and luckily he is only the second owner. He even found the original registration slip dated 1918 in the door pocket.

Ballard acknowledges his Dodge’s stunning looks. But, he admitted that it isn’t the most pleasant vehicle to drive as he said, “Two words, bloody hard.” “It’s heavy steering, very direct, there’s a tendency to oversteer savagely. It’s okay when you’re used to it, but it’s definitely a man’s car,” he explained. Challenging that is.

Ballard was surprised to know that the “wooden” coupe, with it’s A and B pillar made from timber, was still in a reasonably good condition even after 68 years off the road.

Wanting to bring it to its present state, Ballard spent $15,000 to put mudguards and have it for a paint job.

Having particular soft spot for American DNA, Ballard said, “They do tend to stand up better to Australian conditions and they’re powerful, they hold their own with today’s traffic, not quite as fast but they’ll stay out there… Old Dodges in particular, they’re very rugged.” Sometimes, I even think the old ones are really better than today’s Dodges with new and premium Dodge floor mats.

Ballard’s first car, a 1925 Dodge, brought up his car obsession. Unfortunately, it has been stolen before he got even hold of it.