A Dodge In Disguise

The late Shirley and Alvin White of Caledon, Ontario, Canada, were the owners of this handsome 1948 Fargo FM-1 pickup. It is a common mis-perception that Fargos are really just Dodge trucks that were made in Canada, with only the name setting the two apart. Although this is mostly true, there are some distinct differences. In 1935, Chrysler decided that Canadian Plymouth dealers needed to start selling trucks, and thought the solution was simply to put a Fargo badge on their Dodge trucks. But, in the early years, a few differences in appearance set the Fargo apart from its US-built counterpart. A new globe symbol was used as a hood ornament, the front grille design was unique, and the name Fargo was stamped into the tailgate. However, in later years, there really was no difference, except for the names. Fargo never replaced Dodge trucks in Canada, but it became a parallel line. From 1936 to 1972 Dodges were sold by Dodge-DeSoto dealers and Fargos were sold by Chrysler-Plymouth dealers. This little jewel pictured here underwent more than four years of meticulous restoration. The Whites purchased the vehicle with its 87-hp flat head 6-cylinder engine from a gentleman in Quebec who had begun but never finished the work. After bringing the truck home, the Whites started with many extra parts, but even more missing pieces – and lots of potential! Shirley and Alvin completed all the work on the half-ton pickup themselves, with parts coming from British Columbia, South Carolina, and many other places in between. The truck was painted by Ken Hindley, a family friend from Union, Ontario. The beautiful little truck turned heads wherever it went. On the road again in 1991, the truck made its first long trip from Mississauga, Ontario, to the ATHS national show in Marlboro, Massachusetts. Since its debut then, the Fargo has traveled to many other national shows to display the Whites’ handiwork.