For the 1928 model year, with Plymouth and DeSoto doing well, Chrysler created the Fargo Motor Corporation to build and sell commercial trucks.

The Fargo name had the obvious appeal of Old West adventure and reliable transportation. The name also held a likely attraction to J.N. Fields, Chrysler Sales V.P. and President of DeSoto. Walter Chrysler called him a "good-looking fellow and a great salesman" who never learned to take “no” for an answer. Joe Fields had started his professional life selling farm machinery in (you guessed it) Fargo, North Dakota. Perhaps the initial idea was not Fields’, but once suggested, he probably stuck to it until the letters were on the grille.

Fargo began producing two full lines of commercial vehicles. The lighter vehicle, called the "Packet," was based on the Plymouth Model Q. The larger "Clipper" came on the Chrysler 65 chassis. Both used a mixture of Plymouth, DeSoto, and Chrysler parts.

In 1930, the Plymouth four cylinder engine of the Packet was replaced by the DeSoto six, and a one-tone "Freighter" line was also introduced. They used parts from a variety of Chrysler Corporation vehicles, such as a Plymouth four cylinder engine and, later, a DeSoto six. Eventually, Fargo had a wide range of vehicles, including dump trucks.

Despite an impressive array of models, from light express and delivery vehicles to heavy dump trucks and semi tractors, Fargo seemed doomed from the start. Almost after Chrysler decided to create the Fargo Motor Corporation, Chrysler's on-again-off-again deal to buy the Dodge Brothers Company was very much "on." With the purchase of Dodge, Chrysler not only grew several times its size, but it now had three truck lines: Fargo, Dodge Brothers (light trucks), and Graham Brothers Trucks, medium and heavy duty lines exclusively built and marketed by Dodge Brothers since 1921.

Chrysler found it quite easy to drop the Graham Brothers marquee. The actual Graham brothers had resigned their positions in the Dodge company before it was sold, and were preparing to build their own cars; selling vehicles with a competitor's name was not appealing.

The "Dodge Brothers" name, on the other hand, was both recognizable and respected. The Graham Brothers trucks were rebadged to Dodge Brothers, and offered alongside the new Fargos. Dodge, with its greater name recognition, far outdistanced Fargo in sales.

Chrysler might have been able to continue with the two truck lines had it not been for the Great Depression, which made it difficult to justify the low-selling Fargo line. U.S. production of Fargos ceased at the end of 1930 after reaching just 7,680 vehicles since the 1928 introduction; Fargo Motor Corporation had been in business for only two years.

In most companies, that would have been the end, but Chrysler is not most companies. Instead of selling Dodge trucks with their own name abroad, Chrysler used the Fargo name for export trucks, so that, in Turkey or India (or many other countries), you could buy a Dodge, but it would be called a Fargo.

U.S. factories made Fargo trucks for export most countries (though all Fargos sold in Canada were made in Canada). From 1933 to 1935, 3,500 1.5-ton Fargo trucks were made in Detroit for export. The export Fargo trucks with special serial numbers, available in 1.5 ton form only, started in 1933.

AVAILABLE TRUCK ADS BY DATE AND CATEGORY

	1951 Fargo Truck easy handling better weight distribution longer mileage life 4 different bed sizes safer more comfortable ad   More Truck Users ARE BUYING FARGO than ever before... BECAUSE FARGO IS ENGINEERED AND MECHANICALLY DESIGNED TO SPEND MORE HOURS ON THE JOB!     Size (8 1/8 X 11 INCHES) (20.6 X 27.9 CM) Grading - Excellent Availability - 1 in stock Price - $30.00 Magazine: Time Magazine Publishing Date: August 27, 1951 Shipping and handling fees - verify postal code Catalog ID: fargo00003
	1952 Fargo Truck advertisement   FARGO TRUCKS ..engineered AND mechanically designed to stay on the job THAT MEANS BIGGER PROFITS FOR YOU!     Size (8 1/8 X 11 1/8 INCHES) (20.6 X 28.3 CM) Grading - Excellent Availability - 1 in stock Price - $30.00 Magazine: Time Magazine Publishing Date: April 14, 1952 Shipping and handling fees - verify postal code Catalog ID: fargo00004
	1952 Fargo Trucks load supporting moving units ad   FARGO TRUCKS built to spend MORE hours on the job! BECAUSE FARGO TRUCKS ARE "Built to fit the job"     Size (8 1/8 X 11 1/8 INCHES) (20.6 X 28.3 CM) Grading - Excellent Availability - 1 in stock Price - $30.00 Magazine: Time Magazine Publishing Date: November 26, 1951 Shipping and handling fees - verify postal code Catalog ID: fargo00005
	1954 Fargo Truck 6 new truck engines 2 door coupe ad   BRAND NEW SERIES OF FARGO TRUCKS 6 great new truck engines Lower floors for easier loading New driver comfort Shortest attainable turning radius, right and let Handome new styling Size (7 7/8 X 11) (20 X 27.9 CM) Grading - Excellent Availability - 1 in stock Price - $30.00 Magazine: Time Magazine Publishing Date: October 26, 1953 Shipping and handling fees - verify postal code Catalog ID: fargo00002
	1956 Fargo Truck 3 different bed sizes express models 2 door coupe ad   New-Fargo offers 3 express models! More power...less upkeep mean greater PROFITS for you FARGO TRUCKS ...BUILT TO FIT YOUR JOBS! Size (8 X 11 INCHES) (20.3 X 27.9 CM) Grading - Excellent Availability - 1 in stock Price - $30.00 Magazine: Time Magazine Publishing Date: May 28, 1956 Shipping and handling fees - verify postal code Catalog ID: fargo00001