1930's Mystery streamliner car/light vehicle.

[moffspeed]

I came across this photo in a pre-war flying magazine today.

The ID of the car had me mystified. However a bit of Googling and it all made sense, an interesting story.

So the clues that you're getting are that 1) it was developed & produced in the early 1930's 2) it was a one off 3) the photo was taken at a commercial airport (obviously) and 4) it's not German (my initial thought).

I've blanked out some script on the driver's door and also the reg. no - that would have made it too easy. Any ideas ?

More details to follow once we have the basic answer.

[Riley Blue]

Royal Air Mail Service car, special bodied by Duple on a Morris chassis, 1936-37.

Edited by Riley Blue on Monday 28th April 18:43

[Wacky Racer]

Riley Blue said:

Royal Air Mail Service car, special bodied by Duple on a Morris chassis, 1936-37.

Who's been doing a reverse image search?

[Riley Blue]

Wacky Racer said:

Riley Blue said:

Royal Air Mail Service car, special bodied by Duple on a Morris chassis, 1936-37.

Who's been doing a reverse image search?

Not me. I guessed Croydon Airport and had heard of the RAMS. It took me a while to find the other pic.

[Bluevanman]

Wacky Racer said:

Who's been doing a reverse image search?

Circle to search is even better,if your phone has it,many don't yet..... android only I think

[moffspeed]

Impressive stuff. Yes the one-off Morris airmail streamliner used in many promotional shots at the time. Based either on a 15cwt or Minor chassis depending on who you speak to. Duple obviously were more into coaches although they did some bodies for Vauxhall in the mid 30's.

Duple survived post war - so most of us of a certain age will have travelled in a Duple Vega/Bella Vega/Viceroy or whatever coach.


Of course, being anything automotive that moved, Dinky made a model of it ( for the die cast nerds - note the cracking and metal fatigue in this lead model - this was overcome by swapping to zinc alloy (Zamak).

Edited by moffspeed on Monday 28th April 19:23

[moffspeed]

A view from the rear - Postman Pat indulges in a playful touch of opposite lock in his haste to get to Croydon :

[moffspeed]

Riley Blue said:

Royal Air Mail Service car, special bodied by Duple on a Morris chassis, 1936-37.

Edited by Riley Blue on Monday 28th April 18:43

Slight delay with take off. Lady pilot on a fag break :

[DickyC]

Riley Blue said:

Royal Air Mail Service car, special bodied by Duple on a Morris chassis, 1936-37.

Airmail Only Postboxes were the same blue.

[Turbobanana]

Riley Blue said:

Royal Air Mail Service car, special bodied by Duple on a Morris chassis, 1936-37.

Edited by Riley Blue on Monday 28th April 18:43

It was originally a full-size van body, but it was carelessly parked and the back was whittled away by those whirling propellers.

[moffspeed]

..whilst the first class passengers were protected from the back-wash by this natty little tunnel. It even displayed a destination board so that you didn't accidentally get on the Malaga flight.



Sorry a bit off topic - but there are plenty of pistons up there..

Edited by moffspeed on Tuesday 29th April 12:27