Dearborn

Dearborn is an North-American car company, known for creating the American modern car in general, production lines for specific products, creating the pony car segment and beating Marcolini in the 24h GrinVits of 1966.

History

If you are from the USA and haven’t heard of Dearborn, ‘you’re not an American’, which was part of the slogan from 1910 to 1918. Dearborn Motor Company was created by Adam Bradley Burns, in Dearborn, Michigan in 1903. Adam was a bit of a designer and a lot of a dreamer, so after seeing the Weiss-Grüber Motorwagen, he was inspired to make his own.

Initially created as the Bradley Burns Company in 1899, Adam and his team created the very first affordable car in the USA, the ‘Aquatica’ in 1908. While the name was very odd, Adam and his team were sure that it would be a success with the public, and it was, being sold until 1927. Considered one of the most innovative pieces of technology of the 20th century, the Aquatica sold over 15 million units in its lifetime, a feat that is still unmatched by several newer cars, including from Dearborn itself.

By 1955, Dearborn was one of the premier brands in the world, with factories all over, and multiple models as well. In 1969, Dearborn created another incredibly popular segment with a single vehicle: The pony car with the Dearborn Dominator. Its name wasn’t kidding, as it was incredibly popular in the USA and led the creation of several similar models from other car companies in the USA and other places, including the Mahogany Magnum, the Orchid Forcemaker and the Itashi Horizon 150R.

A small stint was made in 1963 when Dearborn tried to buy Marcolini as they had their own racing ambitions. Franco laughed his way out of the room when it was proposed, saying in italian, quoted: “Come back to me when you have a car that is worth more the rubber that carries it.” After that, Dearborn decided to create many cars to try to topple Marcolini’s dominance and eventually managed to win at the 24h GrinVits of 1966 with the Dearborn Touring Mark 2. Franco was forced to admit defeat but Dearborn didn’t want to make any more deals with Marcolini. Since then, the name ‘Dearborn’ has been synonymous with competition and racing, as they are still competing in Touring classes and even in Rally races. This led Dearborn to create the (awfully named) motorsport pre-factory tuned label called ‘Super Racing Performance’ in 1991.

During 1974 and 2015, Dearborn had a large stake in Fuchu, first being 24.5% in 1979 and upped to a 33.4% in 1995. However in 2015, the company sold all of its shares to streamline their assets.

In 1990 and 1993, they also purchased Whitley and Orchid respectively but during a restructuring, they sold the two companies in 2007.

In 1999, Dearborn introduced the hatchback Mythos, which became incredibly popular within its own country and all over the world, being one incredible vehicle that could tackle any terrain, making several other types of cars seem pale by comparison.

In 2005, Dearborn revived the Dominator muscle car as a sports RWD monster and the revival proved to be popular enough to get more generations.

In recent years, the company had focused on making crossover SUVs but the uptick in the market for sedans and coupes caused them to revive old cars from previous years’ line up.

SRP

Short for ‘Super Racing Performance’, Dearborn SRP is their current solution for factory tuned cars.

SRP started its life in 1903 as ‘Dearborn Racing’ at the same time the company was made, because Adam Bradley Burns was always pushing the envelope on what cars could do. Over the years, Dearborn kept improving in racing, and that tipped over in 1963, with the aforementioned win against Marcolini. That led to the creation of a new Dearborn Racing, a sub-brand focused on racing exclusively.

The 1963 version of Dearborn Racing, called DBR, was completely european-led, which caused a rift inside the company, and left the American side with essentially nothing. With that in mind, Dearborn USA created the Super Racing Performance in 1991, after several false starts. The big difference between them, besides physical locations, was that DBR was more focused on commonly sold cars and racing, while SRP was about custom versions of a few cars they sold in American soil.

In 2015, Dearborn leadership merged both into one entity, keeping the SRP name globally, keeping both the focus in racing and selling factory-tuned versions of their own cars.

Featured Vehicles In Project Redline

Regular

Cover SRP (1996)

Created by Dearborn of Europe in 1968, this car was a success with many markets, and one of them was racing, by complete accident. The car entered the FIMV World Rally Competition, now known as the FIMV RallyTouring Championship, with a team that ordered a Cover and custom tuned it, and was very successful. This caused Dearborn of Europe to create a version of the Cover, specifically made for Rally. Using the fourth generation as a base, the end result was the Cover RallyRacing, and its homologated version, the Cover SRP. Both the Cover RallyRacing and the Cover SRP come with an unique whale-tail wing, making it impossible to mistake them from other cars.

From 1992 to 1996, regular people could buy the Cover SRP, which came equipped with a turbocharged 2.0L inline-4 engine.

DBGT (2022)

The third generation of the Dearborn Grand Touring, shortened to DBGT, was almost completely irrecognizable by looks alone. However, Dearborn ensured that the legacy of the original DBGT was kept intact.

One of the few Supercars produced by an American company, the Touring a RMR layout with a twin-turbocharged 3.5L V6 engine, capable of 700hp, as well a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.

DBGT Mark 2 (1966)

Many cars tried but this is the one that beat Marcolini. After a few changes from Mark 1, the Dearborn Grand Touring Mark 2, shortened to DBGT Mark 2, turned into the first ‘hero’ car, beating the biggest brand in Endurance Races at that time. This version is an homologated version, based on a mix between the already developed Mark 2 and in development Mark 3, but sold as “Mark 2” to not confuse the future owners.

This classic supercar comes with a 7.0L V8 engine, downtuned to be used on roads, as well a 4-speed transmission in a FR layout.

Dominator (1967)

Way back in 1967, Dearborn launched a new type of car, the Pony, with the Dominator. The first generation of the vehicle took the world by storm, being incredibly successful with its design, with its appeal being a unique large engine, low price and durability, that would eventually launch a mirrad of competitors.

Powering this version of the pony is a 7.0L V8 engine as well a 4-speed transmission in a FR configuration.

Dominator TD (2024)

After a successful revival in 2005, Dearborn kept the momentum, launching a new generation in 2015. In 2024, Dearborn launched the seventh generation of the Dominator and this model is the highest trim available, the TD model. A staple since the revival, standing for “Total Domination”, the Dominator TD continues the legacy of the first generation Dominator with an aggressive design, large engine and rear wheel traction, so buyers can really feel the road.

The version here is the one carrying a 5.0 L supercharged V8, as well a 6-speed manual transmission, keeping the FR configuration of old.

Leopard SRP (1999)

A one-off creation from Dearborn Europe based on the fourth generation Dearborn Bravo, the Leopard was a three-door coupé, essentially being a spicier take for a coupé for that generation that eventually became its own car. The original model was released in 1997 but in 1999, Dearborn Europe blessed the car with a SRP badge and visuals. This new version had a sportier look, and a better tuned engine, as well minor enhancements all over. Only 550 units of the car were available to be purchased in the UK, due to its high price, but owners report that it was a joy to drive.

Carrying this car forward is a 1.7L inline-4 engine with a 5-speed manual transmission in a FF configuration.

Mythos (1999)

The first generation of the Mythos was a resounding success for Dearborn, which continues to be produced to this day. A replacement for the Cover hatchback, the Mythos had a lot of success in its home market, and was eventually sold everywhere. It could be found in Hatchback, Sedan and Estate / Space Wagon body types. Something to note is that the Mythos launched first in Europe and then made its way to the USA then the rest of the world.

This version of supermini comes with a FF configuration, a 2.0L inline-4 engine and a 5-speed transmission.

Mythos SRP (2022)

The fourth generation of the Mythos launched with many variants and its own factory pretuned version with much more aggressive style in 2018, and received a refresh in 2022. Dearborn announced that the Mythos would be discontinued in 2025, as the company shifted their focus towards EVs and crossover SUVs.

This version of the Mythos comes with a 2.3L turbocharged inline-4 engine and a 7-speed transmission, still keeping a FF configuration.

Custom

Sumito Dominator (2023)

The tires company Sumito customized the new version of the Dominator to their liking, making the Sumito Dominator. Otherwise, it remains the same vehicle as the normal Dominator.

MythosSpeed SRP (2003)

An even more customized version of the Mythos SRP, the MythosSpeed SRP is a one-off made by Dearborn SRP as an exclusive edition of the vehicle, made only for racing. It comes with the same engine as the Mythos SRP and minor cosmetic changes to the original vehicle.

Dominator ExitWound (1968)

A custom edition, and recreation, of the Dominator ‘68 featured in the epic movie ExitWound, also set in 1968. The original, being driven by Michael McKing, was a tuned up version of the Dominator, using its 7.0L engine to its fullest.

Dominator PFR (2023)

PFR customized the newest Dominator TD with their touches, making an already fast vehicle even faster. Using the Dominator GTC’s engine, a 5.2L V8 and 6-speed transmission, this version of the Dominator is even more aggressive looking with PFR’s designs.