Dort (United States) - AllCarIndex

Dort Motorcar Company was an American automobile manufacturer based in Flint, Michigan, active from 1915 to 1924. The company was founded by Joshua Dallas Dort, who had previously established the Flint Road Cart Company in 1886, which evolved into the Durant-Dort Carriage Company, a prominent producer of horse-drawn vehicles in the United States. Dort was a close associate of William Crapo Durant, the founder of General Motors, but he remained focused on carriages until the launch of the Dort Four in 1915.

The Dort Four was a well-constructed vehicle powered by a 2.7-liter four-cylinder Lycoming engine, featuring a three-speed gearbox. Initially, the model was available only as a three-door, five-seater tourer, priced at $650, which was competitive against similar offerings from Dodge. In subsequent years, the model lineup expanded to include a four-door tourer, a center-door sedan, and a clover-leaf roadster. By 1918, the company adopted a larger 3,146 cc Lycoming Model K engine, and in 1920, it updated its design to include conventional pedals and a hand-brake lever.

Dort experienced its peak production in 1920, selling 30,018 vehicles. However, the company faced challenges as it positioned itself above the Chevrolet and Dodge price range without being perceived as a premium brand like Buick. In 1921, the introduction of a Rolls-Royce-type radiator and longer wheelbases marked a shift in design, but prices increased significantly, with tourers costing up to $1,215 and sedans reaching $1,995. Sales began to decline, with only 5,592 units sold in 1923 and a further drop to 2,493 in 1924.

By the end of 1924, J. Dallas Dort decided to cease production, leading to the absence of new models in 1925. The Canadian variant, known as the Gray-Dort, continued for one additional year. Over its decade of operation, Dort Motorcar Company produced just over 120,000 vehicles, marking a brief but notable chapter in the history of American automotive manufacturing.