Dodge 300
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1957 |
| Fate | Manufacturing relocated to Dunstable, Kew plant shutdown |
| Headquarters | Kew , United Kingdom |
| Products | Medium to heavy-duty trucks (Dodge 300 series) |
The Dodge 300 was a medium to heavy-duty cab over truck manufactured by Dodge's UK branch at the Kew factory from 1957 through the mid-1960s. Its production ended with the introduction of the Ghia-styled Dodge 500 in late 1964. Following the discontinuation of the Dodge 300, manufacturing was relocated to Dunstable, which resulted in the shutdown of the Kew plant.
Design
The Dodge 300 was offered in both truck and tractor formats, including a four-wheel drive version designed for military use. Its weight capacity ranged from , with tractor units capable of handling up to . Diesel engines supplied by Perkins were commonly fitted in most models.
This vehicle employed the Motor Panels cab design, which it shared with models from Leyland and Albion. This cab style is often referred to as the "LAD" cab (Leyland-Albion-Dodge).
Bus models
In the early 1960s, Dodge introduced a bus variant based on the 300 series, though only eight were produced. The initial prototypes consisted of the S306, equipped with a Leyland engine and Weymann body (1962), and the S307, featuring a Perkins engine and Marshall body (1964). After demonstration runs, six S307 units with Strachans coach bodies were ordered and delivered to Rickards of Brentford in 1964.
1972–1982 models
Starting in 1972, a new generation of Dodge 300 heavy trucks was launched in the UK market. These vehicles were built in Spain by Barreiros, a Chrysler subsidiary. The range included a 38-tonne tractor unit as well as multiple rigid chassis options featuring four, six, or eight wheels. This series enjoyed solid sales until production ceased in 1982 following Renault Véhicules Industriels' takeover of Chrysler Europe's truck division.