Garden of Memories

Could the photo have been taken in Glastonbury, circa 1975? FJ 4589 (or its identical twin) was parked beside an antique/second-hand book shop, halfway up the main high street. FJ is an Exeter registration. Nice to hear it is still current.

The picture does look like a hearse with the glass side window. I cannot see any mention of it being scrapped.

What vehicle are you referring to as being scrapped? FJ 4589 the one sold by Matthewsons is obviously very much alive and is on the DVLA computor.

Vehicle Details for FJ 4589
Vehicle make DODGE
Date of first registration December 1926
Year of manufacture 1926
Cylinder capacity 24 cc
CO₂ emissions Not available
Fuel type PETROL
Euro status Not available
Real Driving Emissions (RDE) Not available
Export marker No
Vehicle status Untaxed
Vehicle colour BLACK
Vehicle type approval Not available
Wheelplan 2 AXLE RIGID BODY
Revenue weight Not available
Date of last V5C (logbook) issued 24 June 2013

I purchased a similar car, although a landaulet, about forty years ago that stood in a back garden in North London. It was in fair complete condition although had frost damage to the engine block. I was also told the story about Dodge having problems with getting truck bodies to fit these chassis. I sold the car to a collector in north Bedfordshire who I believe restored it. This same car came up in an auction at Beulieu a few years ago and was purchased by a dealer in Hampshire. It was described as a 'Fast Four', although its performance to my mind was modest.

Just watching an episode of Bangers and Cash and this vehicle was shown being sold by someone who bought it and did it up

The bus was sold in Matthewsons auction 13/11/20 for £11000 (hammer price) tp Ian McDonald an antiques dealer in Manchester.

Thank's for the most interesting information, I did wonder why a Dodge chassis was used for a hearse build in the 1920's - a most unlikely choice at that time.
I look forward to seeing the pictures!
Just Google my name to find me Kevin.

The Dodge,now a 8 seater country bus, has been in my possesion for the past 3 years having bought it in Norfolk and previous, it had been in a museum in Eton and then on to The Ringlestone Inn, Maidstone, Kent and signwritten in some lovely script. Will send you some pictures in the next few days when I get it out of the garage. Regards Kevin.
Please pass my E-mail Address on to Carrick Watson and ask him to get in touch. Thanks.

This picture rang a bell with me as I owned a similar vehicle many years ago although mine was a landaulet. I am told that Dodge built a number of four cylinder truck chassis in the UK but the bodies did not fit. To overcome this they decided to build limo/landau/hearse bodies on them to re-coup their losses with higher priced vehicles. I will send a picture of mine by separate email.

I'm afraid this probably went to the scrapyard long ago. The DVLA tell me this was first registered 2/12/1926 in Exeter. It was originally black so probably always was a hearse. It is not longer taxed or insured and no SORN is issued or due on the vehicle, so probably scrapped.