Yet another make and model quiz
Discussion
Carfield said:
I think I see some white painted bumpers and headlight shutters, which makes me think WW2, but lots of cars. So 1948, somewhere round there?
Yes, the early white bumpers and black out covers but lots of cars would to me indicate late summer or early autumn of 1939, say September/Oct before petrol rationing took hold.No one would have been running black out shades on their cars in 1948.
I agree with the estimates of the date.
As for the cars, the grey car in the middle foreground is a Vauxhall 10-4 (a very advanced and critically acclaimed car when it was launched in the late 1930s, which never got the success it deserved because the war got in the way). I'm fairly sure the car to its right (with the man getting in the front door) is a late-1930s Hillman Minx Magnificent.
The light grey car parked across the street on the right hand side facing the camera is probably an Austin Light 12 Six. I have a feeling that the one behind that is some sort of 1930s Wolseley (because of the grille shape).
I feel the big saloon in the left foreground should be easy to identify, since it has bonnet vents and an unusual combination of a 'bustle' boot and a spare wheel behind the bumper. But my initial guesses haven't worked. I'll keep chewing on that one between bouts of work on a warm Monday...
As for the cars, the grey car in the middle foreground is a Vauxhall 10-4 (a very advanced and critically acclaimed car when it was launched in the late 1930s, which never got the success it deserved because the war got in the way). I'm fairly sure the car to its right (with the man getting in the front door) is a late-1930s Hillman Minx Magnificent.
The light grey car parked across the street on the right hand side facing the camera is probably an Austin Light 12 Six. I have a feeling that the one behind that is some sort of 1930s Wolseley (because of the grille shape).
I feel the big saloon in the left foreground should be easy to identify, since it has bonnet vents and an unusual combination of a 'bustle' boot and a spare wheel behind the bumper. But my initial guesses haven't worked. I'll keep chewing on that one between bouts of work on a warm Monday...
2xChevrons said:
I agree with the estimates of the date.
As for the cars, the grey car in the middle foreground is a Vauxhall 10-4 (a very advanced and critically acclaimed car when it was launched in the late 1930s, which never got the success it deserved because the war got in the way). I'm fairly sure the car to its right (with the man getting in the front door) is a late-1930s Hillman Minx Magnificent.
The light grey car parked across the street on the right hand side facing the camera is probably an Austin Light 12 Six. I have a feeling that the one behind that is some sort of 1930s Wolseley (because of the grille shape).
I feel the big saloon in the left foreground should be easy to identify, since it has bonnet vents and an unusual combination of a 'bustle' boot and a spare wheel behind the bumper. But my initial guesses haven't worked. I'll keep chewing on that one between bouts of work on a warm Monday...
The car behind the Austin on the right looks more like a Citroen Traction Avant to me.As for the cars, the grey car in the middle foreground is a Vauxhall 10-4 (a very advanced and critically acclaimed car when it was launched in the late 1930s, which never got the success it deserved because the war got in the way). I'm fairly sure the car to its right (with the man getting in the front door) is a late-1930s Hillman Minx Magnificent.
The light grey car parked across the street on the right hand side facing the camera is probably an Austin Light 12 Six. I have a feeling that the one behind that is some sort of 1930s Wolseley (because of the grille shape).
I feel the big saloon in the left foreground should be easy to identify, since it has bonnet vents and an unusual combination of a 'bustle' boot and a spare wheel behind the bumper. But my initial guesses haven't worked. I'll keep chewing on that one between bouts of work on a warm Monday...
I too am having trouble with the bustle-boot car. I keep thinking Morris or Wolseley with maybe an aftermarket spare wheel kit.
nicanary said:
The car behind the Austin on the right looks more like a Citroen Traction Avant to me.
I too am having trouble with the bustle-boot car. I keep thinking Morris or Wolseley with maybe an aftermarket spare wheel kit.
Ooooo...I think you're right. For which I need to make extreme penance, say six 'Hail Andres' to the gods of hydropneumatics and flog myself on each shoulder twelve times with a wiring loom with entirely green insulation. As big a fan of Citroens (and Tractions) as I am I didn't even countenance that there would be one in the pic since they were so rare in Britain. I too am having trouble with the bustle-boot car. I keep thinking Morris or Wolseley with maybe an aftermarket spare wheel kit.
But looking at it now I'm pretty sure it's a Citroen Light 15 - the Slough-built version of the 11CV 'Legere'. Being a British-made Traction it has the Citroen chevrons mounted behind the grille, making them less obvious (and that's what made me think Wolseley). But you can faintly see them when you know what to look for. Good open-minded spotting skills on your part!
The bustle-boot car is still eluding me, too. I thought I'd got close with a big Nuffield car like a Morris 14/6 but none of them quite fit the bill. I then wondered if it had an American connection - either a British-market version of an American car (like a Chrylser Kew), a Canadian-built GM car or a big Vauxhall with American-influenced styling but those all drew blanks. Whatever it is it's an unusual mix of styles - the curved roof line and round-edged windows imply that it's got a pressed steel body, but the bonnet line, wings and the bustle boot are older in style. It's got 'meet in the middle' (possibly pillarless?) doors as well, which was unusual at the time. And most cars with a bustle at that era also went for the split rear window style. You could well be onto something and the combination of the bustle and the spare wheel mount is non-standard.
2xChevrons said:
Ooooo...I think you're right. For which I need to make extreme penance, say six 'Hail Andres' to the gods of hydropneumatics and flog myself on each shoulder twelve times with a wiring loom with entirely green insulation. As big a fan of Citroens (and Tractions) as I am I didn't even countenance that there would be one in the pic since they were so rare in Britain.
But looking at it now I'm pretty sure it's a Citroen Light 15 - the Slough-built version of the 11CV 'Legere'. Being a British-made Traction it has the Citroen chevrons mounted behind the grille, making them less obvious (and that's what made me think Wolseley). But you can faintly see them when you know what to look for. Good open-minded spotting skills on your part!
The bustle-boot car is still eluding me, too. I thought I'd got close with a big Nuffield car like a Morris 14/6 but none of them quite fit the bill. I then wondered if it had an American connection - either a British-market version of an American car (like a Chrylser Kew), a Canadian-built GM car or a big Vauxhall with American-influenced styling but those all drew blanks. Whatever it is it's an unusual mix of styles - the curved roof line and round-edged windows imply that it's got a pressed steel body, but the bonnet line, wings and the bustle boot are older in style. It's got 'meet in the middle' (possibly pillarless?) doors as well, which was unusual at the time. And most cars with a bustle at that era also went for the split rear window style. You could well be onto something and the combination of the bustle and the spare wheel mount is non-standard.
Looking at the bonnet it also appears to have flutes so another Vauxhall - one of the big sixes. Would agree on the rest, can also see an Austin Big Seven, a Ford C and Y and a JowettBut looking at it now I'm pretty sure it's a Citroen Light 15 - the Slough-built version of the 11CV 'Legere'. Being a British-made Traction it has the Citroen chevrons mounted behind the grille, making them less obvious (and that's what made me think Wolseley). But you can faintly see them when you know what to look for. Good open-minded spotting skills on your part!
The bustle-boot car is still eluding me, too. I thought I'd got close with a big Nuffield car like a Morris 14/6 but none of them quite fit the bill. I then wondered if it had an American connection - either a British-market version of an American car (like a Chrylser Kew), a Canadian-built GM car or a big Vauxhall with American-influenced styling but those all drew blanks. Whatever it is it's an unusual mix of styles - the curved roof line and round-edged windows imply that it's got a pressed steel body, but the bonnet line, wings and the bustle boot are older in style. It's got 'meet in the middle' (possibly pillarless?) doors as well, which was unusual at the time. And most cars with a bustle at that era also went for the split rear window style. You could well be onto something and the combination of the bustle and the spare wheel mount is non-standard.
ettore said:
Looking at the bonnet it also appears to have flutes so another Vauxhall - one of the big sixes. Would agree on the rest, can also see an Austin Big Seven, a Ford C and Y and a Jowett
Yep, I've just looked at the image full-size on my proper monitor and came to the same conclusion. I'm confident it's a 1937-1939 Vauxhall DX-type Light Six, like this one (https://www.flickr.com/photos/45676495@N05/31578537813). As well as the bonnet flutes it has the chromework down the bonnet side that's the right location and shape. Picture evidence suggests that the standard back end of a Light Six was a flush-fit bottom-hinged hatch, presumably with the spare wheel carried internally, but that doesn't at rule out that there would have been an optional or aftermarket kit to put on a bustle and external spare for more luggage space. ettore said:
2xChevrons said:
Ooooo...I think you're right. For which I need to make extreme penance, say six 'Hail Andres' to the gods of hydropneumatics and flog myself on each shoulder twelve times with a wiring loom with entirely green insulation. As big a fan of Citroens (and Tractions) as I am I didn't even countenance that there would be one in the pic since they were so rare in Britain.
But looking at it now I'm pretty sure it's a Citroen Light 15 - the Slough-built version of the 11CV 'Legere'. Being a British-made Traction it has the Citroen chevrons mounted behind the grille, making them less obvious (and that's what made me think Wolseley). But you can faintly see them when you know what to look for. Good open-minded spotting skills on your part!
The bustle-boot car is still eluding me, too. I thought I'd got close with a big Nuffield car like a Morris 14/6 but none of them quite fit the bill. I then wondered if it had an American connection - either a British-market version of an American car (like a Chrylser Kew), a Canadian-built GM car or a big Vauxhall with American-influenced styling but those all drew blanks. Whatever it is it's an unusual mix of styles - the curved roof line and round-edged windows imply that it's got a pressed steel body, but the bonnet line, wings and the bustle boot are older in style. It's got 'meet in the middle' (possibly pillarless?) doors as well, which was unusual at the time. And most cars with a bustle at that era also went for the split rear window style. You could well be onto something and the combination of the bustle and the spare wheel mount is non-standard.
Looking at the bonnet it also appears to have flutes so another Vauxhall - one of the big sixes. Would agree on the rest, can also see an Austin Big Seven, a Ford C and Y and a JowettBut looking at it now I'm pretty sure it's a Citroen Light 15 - the Slough-built version of the 11CV 'Legere'. Being a British-made Traction it has the Citroen chevrons mounted behind the grille, making them less obvious (and that's what made me think Wolseley). But you can faintly see them when you know what to look for. Good open-minded spotting skills on your part!
The bustle-boot car is still eluding me, too. I thought I'd got close with a big Nuffield car like a Morris 14/6 but none of them quite fit the bill. I then wondered if it had an American connection - either a British-market version of an American car (like a Chrylser Kew), a Canadian-built GM car or a big Vauxhall with American-influenced styling but those all drew blanks. Whatever it is it's an unusual mix of styles - the curved roof line and round-edged windows imply that it's got a pressed steel body, but the bonnet line, wings and the bustle boot are older in style. It's got 'meet in the middle' (possibly pillarless?) doors as well, which was unusual at the time. And most cars with a bustle at that era also went for the split rear window style. You could well be onto something and the combination of the bustle and the spare wheel mount is non-standard.
What are the chances of two Vauxhalls in the front row? Thinking back to the early 50s, I can only recall one in the neighbourhood, a '48 Wyvern belonging to one of my teachers.
aeropilot said:
anonymous said:
[redacted]
1926Traction Avant production in Slough began very shortly after it started in Paris - November 1934 - and continued (with a break for the war years) until 1955. To circumvent import duties at least half the car's parts (by value) had to be British made, so they had 12-volt Lucas electrics (including the starter, dynamo and lights), Rubery-Owen wheels, Marston radiators, a British-made steering wheel, Smiths instruments, Triplex glass, Pyrene bumpers and grille, British-made exhaust and fuel tank and so on. To suit British tastes they also had leather seats and a wood-finished dashboard.
Riley Blue said:
Vauxhall DX14?
What are the chances of two Vauxhalls in the front row? Thinking back to the early 50s, I can only recall one in the neighbourhood, a '48 Wyvern belonging to one of my teachers.
I thought this too. Vauxhall was not the mass-market player we think of it as today in the 1930s/1940s, although that was changing with the introduction of the unibody cars in the late 1930s which were the first Vauxhalls to be properly mass-produced. They were quite upmarket and expensive cars before then. What are the chances of two Vauxhalls in the front row? Thinking back to the early 50s, I can only recall one in the neighbourhood, a '48 Wyvern belonging to one of my teachers.
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