US Cars in military & civilian use overseas 1935-1945

I don't know if there is any interest in the subject, but my own hobby for 50+ years has been collecting mainly photos on this subject.

I see the odd post on the subject, but not a thread devoted to it.

I will post a few photos to see if there is any interest.

A 1939 Buick in use in Rumania.

A 1937 Buick assembled by Lilpop in Poland.

Bill

Bill,

The second picture of the row of Buicks has been around before.

John

I'll carry on a bit with this for a while.

John's post led me to the pre-war Buick thread and there I saw posts by Piotr Smolenski, who attached several more Buick photos.

He also asked for info on Chevrolet's imported/assembled by Lilpop-Rau and since he has not posted since January 2011 I guess none appeared here or at least a search did not turn up anything.

So, here are a few.

Bill

I'm similarly interested after owning a 1942 Ford Woody "deluxe" (not "Super").

The pictured rare 42 Merc is described as belonging to 9th Australian Div. and

pictured at Gaza in Palestine 1942.

The topless RH drive Woodie is Canadian and was serving in North Africa.

Thanks for your reply and contribution Dr.

Your photos look as if they come from the AWM collection (Australian War Memorial).

Through friends in OZ, I have thousands of images loaded on my hard drive and on DVDs they provided of Australian and other Commonwealth cars and trucks.

I can post some of them here if there is any interest.

Bill

Hi.

It's good fun to see these pictures, please post more.

I've seen many pictures of US cars in europe in use by both german and allied forces. And would love to see more. I don't know how well known it is in the US but the germans loved US cars because of their big engines and durability. Another fun fact is that for instance the Norwgian resitance had several prewar Buicks because the germans could not keep up with them in their german cars. And this could save their lifes if needed if their cower was blown.

Hallo Lt Morty:

Norge sager du..............

Here are three quick picks from my files.

Bill

A couple of Chevrolet cars in Norway.

Bill

Lets try a few LaSalle vehicles, rare here, rarer "over there".

Bill

I have also seen a film of Goering getting out of a 1939 Cadillac. He evidently was fond of Cadillac products. The other picture shows Nazi soldiers in what appears to be France riding in a 1937 or 38LaSalle.

I hate to think of what happened to the previous owners of those cars!

From my notes:

Lilpop, Rau i Loewenstein, Akcyjne Towarzystwo Przemysłowe Zakładów Mechanicznych Lilpop, Rau i Loewenstein SA, zakłady budowy maszyn i środków transportu działające w Warszawie w latach 1822-1944. Założone przez angielskich przemysłowców Evansów w 1854.

60% akcji zakładów wykupili S. Lilpop i W. Rau. W 1866 przedsiębiorstwo przeszło na ich wyłączną własność. W tym samym roku do spółki udziałowej przystąpił L. Loewenstein. W 1873 zawiązano spółkę akcyjną. Od 1891 większościowy pakiet akcji posiadała grupa Rotwand-Wawelberg (Rotwand).

Towarzystwo przejęło m.in. Rządową Fabrykę Machin na Solcu w Warszawie, zakłady górniczo-hutnicze w Drzewicy oraz uruchomiło duże filie na Ukrainie w Białej Cerkwi i Sławucie. Po 1908 większość produkcji skoncentrowano w nowo wybudowanym zakładzie na Woli.

Produkowano m.in.: wagony towarowe, konstrukcje żelazne mostów, rury kanalizacyjne, urządzenia dla przemysłu, pociski artyleryjskie i sprzęt wojskowy. W 1915 zakłady ewakuowano na Ukrainę, gdzie w 1918 zostały znacjonalizowane przez władze radzieckie.

Po zakończeniu I wojny światowej 1919-1921 odbudowano i zmodernizowano zakład na Woli, w którym produkowano wszystkie rodzaje wagonów kolejowych i wagony tramwajowe. W latach 30. Towarzystwo poszerzyło profil produkcji m.in. o silniki spalinowe i turbiny wodne.

W 1936 na licencji General Motors rozpoczęto produkcję samochodów dostawczych i ciężarowych; podczas II wojny światowej zakłady produkowały sprzęt dla armii niemieckiej, w 1944 całkowicie zniszczone.

Lilpop, Rau And Loewenstein, joint-stock company of industrial mechanical plant (bet) has proceeded Lilpop, Rau and Loewenstein SA, plants of (bets of) heavy machines and in warsaw in lats (summers; years) center of (means of) transport 1822-1944 acting. By english industrialists in (to) 1854 set up (bet; found) Evansów. They have redeemed 60% share of (action of) plant (bet) S. Lilpop and W. Rau. It has has proceeded to 1866 enterprise on their exclusive ownership. It has approached in same year for shareholding company .l Loewenstein. In (to) 1873 joint stock company zawiązano. Group owned block of shares from 1891 ( ) większościowy Rotwand-Wawelberg Rotwand. Among others, company has taken over government factory of machine on in warsaw Solcu, plants (bets) mining in (to) -metallurgical Drzewicy and it has started up big branches on ukraine in (to) white orthodox church and Sławucie. It concentrate for 1908 majority production in recently built plant (bet) on will. Among others, it produce freight cars, constructions of iron (ferrous) bridges, sewerage tubes, fix-ups for industry, artillery missiles and equipment military < military >. It evacuate to 1915 plants (bets) on ukraine, where they have been nationalized in (to) 1918 by soviet authorities. After all and it rebuild world war 1919-1921 and plant (bet) modernize on will, it produce all kind of railroad cars in which (who) and tram wagons. In lats (summers; years) 30. Among others, company has widen profile of (outline of) production about exhaust engines and water turbines. It start production of commercial vehicle in (to) 1936 on license General Motors and cargo; plants (bets) produced equipment during world war ii for german army, in (to) 1944 blast entirely.

It produce trams in 1939 year in warsaw plants (bets) earliest versions III so as " s.a. " Lilpop Lilpop-Rau-Loewenstein. They remember precursors appearance, but they were masywniejsze and several owned unowocześnień, among others, removed doors manually. Engines were assembled in (to) them about 25% strong almost < law (as of right) > than it in (to) II Lilpopach and they achieved hour force 49,5 QUARTER (kw) each. Fact shows accommodation (adjustment) for riding on city lines III Lilpopów, that it cut down number of place with (from) 28 for 22 on benefit of surface assigned on stagnant places sitting. They have appeared in comparison with former versions in place 5 lateral windows 4, but for it in overhead part < frequent > uchylne. Wagons of described types had to hit for lodz (boat) 23. So too constant (solid) < become > < stand >, however, by the reason of explosion of world war ii in 5 vehicles not make it in time (manage to do on time) install equipment electric. It treat it (them) as passive doczepy, but it implement in lats (summers; years) 1948-49 scanting element only. All have been recaptured from exploitation in lats (summers; years) due to inflow of new camp with (from) 1972-73 III Lilpopy chorzowskiego Konstalu. One of wagon has been restored plant of (bet of) repair of camp in 1980 year in contemporary plant of (bet of) repair of tram ( number fig 158 ) ( presently ). Antique expose (set out) lodz (boat) in year in the area of main headquarters (seat) at 2000 tram street co. ltd. MPK.

There was biggest metallurgical plant (bet) on new prague by ten in polish kingdom lat (summer; year) Stalownia. They have survived for (after) today merely her (it) building relikty has has undergone name of steel street and Kamienskoje? Where is there? Probably, in (to) Sybirze! Mrs. Rozalia has outcried -. I will not move from warsaw - ! It has stated -. When husband has returned from work which (who) evening (in the evening) 1887 , it has stated it certain - already! They close our factory. Stalownię, It worked in which (who), for basin decide transmit (reschedule) Donieckiego. Along with stove metallurgical zdemontowanymi and hit have for new plant (bet) from warsaw machines several-hundredpersonal crew (staff) skilled workers and engineering staff. It were not wanted to total (to take away; to amount to) mrs. Rozalia from warsaw. However, husband convicted her (it), that there will not be over memorial < they (their) > evil (poorly) < evil > Donem. They will rent apartment, it will earn more, but they will leave on instead of for under-varsovian wood (forests) for health resorts on crimea letnisko. You dreamed always - yet, in order to see crimea it convicted -. Mrs. Rozalia has has undergone ultimately. It isn't known nothing , if (or) it has seen sunny coast of crimea. Never however, it has returned for warsaw already. Would not be dangerous on new prague iron (ferrous) expensive (dear) < way > stalowni, if railroad fever not, that has covered russian empire in lats (summers; years) 60. And 70. Alexandra (alexander) for dominance of tsars of liberals XIX II russia begin modernize w.. Thousand and tens of (tens of) thousands kilometers of iron (ferrous) ways have cut across european part of empire. Railroad force in to inaccessible areas of siberia. Times have departed to forgetfulness, when minister of finance of tsar of mikolay and it convicted Jegor Kankrin it is iron (ferrous) from moscow for saint petersburg harmful " expensive (dear) < way > Mikołajewska, because propensity boosts subjected for needless transmitting (rescheduling) from place on place ". Structure of iron (ferrous) way wound situation. Fortune not only it zbijali, enormous contracts received which (who) on realization and exploitation of railroad line, and also suppliers, producers of rails (tracks), telegraphic wires, for circles rim, pivot, wagons and engines. From mid-year 70. Steel in railroad construction on wide scale XIX begin applying (using) w.. Request for her (it) was huge.

Russian government (row) has allocated enormous quantities in (to) 1877 on supply of steel rail (track) rail (track) several enterprises too order zyskowne. Company has been placed among they Lilpop Rau and from warsaw Loewenstein and have have become company fix-up mining Starachowickie. Both (both of) firms have communicated and they have received agreement from saint petersburg on building on new prague under warsaw of metallurgical plant (bet) they have have become - warsaw factory. Year approach for structure in (to) 1878 later, 1 april 1879 , in (to) first steel rail her (it) przewalcowano. Plant had four departments (squads) near the end of this year already with (from) six steam hammers młotownię, two hammers in (to) about weight 13 tone (tonne) each it, rail (track) walcownię, for production of rim of circle hydraulic walcownię wagonowych and with four so called bessemerownię konwentorami bessemerowskimi. It was possible to produce in it last 50 thousand tonnes rigorous a year steel < constant (solid) >. Hammers and they were served by nine powerful stoves laminated, eight gas in (to) it. From england salad imported < import > and german (germany), coke from overhead silesian, and carbon (charcoal; coal) was national (local) only from basin - Dąbrowskiego. Majority participation (quota) had in venture accomplice Wilhelm Rau, Baron Seweryn Loewenstein and Carol Lilpop. Alexander represented company Starachowickie Radwana, firm was shareholder too Rheinische Stahlwerke. Russian prince settled for addition in radium (advice; council) administering splendoru Wiaczesław Teniszew, but in auditing committee Wilhelm Wellisch, person of king of railroad of yan Blocha, fabulous fortune manager < administer > .

Start-up of production of legendary model write down opel in year 1935 Olympia, on mass scale of vehicle built on base first fabricate steel completely, body samonośnego and frames. For year from line productive 1940 in general 168 875 it model zjechało. There was popular model so Olympia, that it produce her (it) in warsaw also, in plants (bets), Lilpop, & ' ' Rau Loewenstein. Opel execute construction of body on base of patent conceded (admitted) in year firm 1934. She (it) had whole range of advantage relatively to earliest models smallest all-out mass, boosted (accrued) level of (horizon of) passive safety and good aerodynamic characteristic. This new design concept has enabled introduction of method of fabricating of new car simultaneously, which (who) is taken advantage for today (the present) and which (who) is thought (is considered) behind (for) one of most important innovation in history of technology of production of mechanical vehicle. Possible fabricating of body has become due to her (it) independently on production of mechanical sub-assembly - engine, driving group and pivot. This way, workers can it two group assembly faster poskładać and simply (easy), integrity before their effecting of connections of to one during following (step) later, wiving ' '. Opel 1.1 Kadett plant (bet) has presented model of opel in year in (to) 1936-1937 1936 - limousine 2 -door ( ) Rüsselsheim Kadett, it take advantage at which (who) production this new also, safe principle of assembling of car body. It was driven it big success model being glad (please) rzędowym, about capacity 1,1 liter engine czterocylindrowym, force 23 mechanical horse getting, which (who) weighed 757 kilograms. This car achieved big speed completely already dealers of opel have sold for year 98 km /hour 1940 107 608 arts of these models. Opel 6 Super, limousine has widen assortment of product in lats (summers; years) thirtieth about models 4 -door firm ( 1937-1938 ) 6 Super and Admiral, two luxury cars include (switch on) due to that for production about six-cylinder engines. Opel substitute model in year 1937-1938 1938 new version of model opel of captain 6 ( ) 6 Super Cabriolet Super, it has assured (has provided) furnished with six-cylinder engine that continuation carrying (concern) progress tradition vehicle. Opel Admiral, limousine 4 -door ( 1937-1939 ) opel captain, limousine 4 -door ( 1938-1940 )

It carry wars in poland after all II estimate of chance of reconstruction of car industry catastrophic has turned out - balance. All plants (bets) emerge , it was possible to begin that not exist in (to) which (who) production possibly, they were completely zburzone. Technical staff will will emerge and it was diffuse < diffuse > engineering entirely. Or everything produce wanted for this reconstruction of branch of economy zrujnowano. decide in rubbles state plant (bet) engineering legły - fabricating polish fiat, plants of (bets of) engineering Libermana but rooms of (shops of) firms Lilpop Rau and it produce chevrolet Loewenstein and they did not be suitable for reconstruction also Buicki. Important fact, unfavorable reconstruction of car industry also, negative attitude of contemporary decision-maker was, property of car was with ideology of socialist structure in (to) which (who) opinion contradictory. However, bunch of apologist of (follower of) motorization has appeared , which (who) in 1945 year in warsaw car club polish < poland > reaktywowało. Propagators of car industries have crowded around club, which (who) continuously pressed on state authorities, render influence (income) on them testing (try) and convicting (be sure), that it will will emerge factories of trucks and to decide transport problems personal przyczyni, many work-places will supply, but motor industry will open chance of development of (evolution of) domain of other economy. Built (created) central management of motorization has issued permission on enrollment of private personal car 12 april 1946 year exactly operators of car club due to it recently, but message has declared about preparation for new structure of factory next. It return in this case for pre-war licencjonodawcy or for italian fiat. Negotiations have been started in half (hunt) 1947 year, which (who) have ended 31 july 1948 signing of (subscribing of) next license agreement. Had to supply machines according to fiat and technological fix-ups, build factory, start up production of new car in (to) her (it) - model 1100 -ex- < b >, as well as model 1400, had which (who) first copies from productive tape in year 1950 zjechać. Plant (bet) had to produce according to forecasted plans 18 thousand vehicles a year. Work have proceed in two-shift mode. It choose warsaw on place of production and state plants of (bets of) engineering on prague initially intend rebuild, where personal cars were produced before war and small trucks, but it decide on concept of situating (localizing) factory on suburbs of warsaw ultimately, at highway Modlińskiej among - Golędzinowem but Pelcowizną. Crew has started structure in august from brigade of service 1948 year poland junaków, but two rooms (shops) emerge within three months. Endowment of (outfit of) plant (bet) already begin too come on, agreement (convention) guaranteed which (who) with italians (italy). Sensible became near the end of year 1948 " chill war " more and more. It has caused breaking of agreement (convention) in 1949 year with fiat on distinct errand of joseph of stalin -, socialism argumented in country which (who) impossibility of production building, from foreign cars camp dating ideologically. In his opinion standardized car camp can turn out helpful in possible case of (accidentally of) military conflict also. Stalin has presented poles license of obsolete personal car GAS (GAUZE) M20 Pobieda, it reached which (who) origin american ford but ( Foto. 1 ). Car plants (bets) produced cars from early 30 in (to) on american license [ Gorki gas (gauze) in (to) USSR personal - first produced serially but ford ( but ) and small trucks built in foothold about same sub-assembly - gas (gauze) AA. However, engine of this car was based on engine from 1940 year design dodge. Gauze in 1936 year on base but gas (gauze) has been built M1 or so called ( Emka Foto. 2 ). Summary meant 1 M1 Mołotov-Nr. New body process during war for gauze M1 and vehicle present stalin in 1946 year, which (who) shortly has entered as gas (gauze) for (after) for serial production it M20 Pobieda. He (it) was modernized during escalation of production permanently < steel >, numerous changes emerged and prototypes - e.g. sedan " " Pobieda-NAMI, Pobieda - convertible ( Foto. 3 ), As well as local version agree upon in 1955 year - gas (gauze) 72 ( Foto. Gauze will will emerge with drive on four circles on base of under-carriage 4 69 ) ( ) ]. So, it agree upon after broken negotiations with fiat with russians, that cars will be in (to) on warsaw on presented soviet license GAS (GAUZE) factory produced nowobudowanej Żeraniu M20 Pobieda. Indeed license was free, however, engineering documentation costed 130 million contemporary zloty < golden >, but tłoczniki and machines emerge by many lat (summer; year) supplies of carbon (charcoal; coal) cost next 250 million zloty amount it polish < poland > pay off. It carry wars in poland after all II estimate of chance of reconstruction of car industry catastrophic has turned out - balance. All plants (bets), it was possible to begin that not exist in (to) which (who) production possibly, they were completely zburzone. Technical staff decide and it was diffused engineering entirely. Or everything produce wanted for this reconstruction of branch of economy zrujnowano. In rubbles state plant (bet) engineering legły - fabricating polish fiat, plants of (bets of) engineering Libermana but rooms of (shops of) firms Lilpop Rau and it produce chevrolet Loewenstein and they did not be suitable for reconstruction also Buicki. Important fact, unfavorable reconstruction of car industry also, negative attitude of contemporary decision-maker was, property of car was with ideology of socialist structure in (to) which (who) opinion contradictory. However, bunch of apologist of (follower of) motorization has appeared , which (who) in 1945 year in warsaw car club polish < poland > reaktywowało. Propagators of car industries have crowded around club, which (who) continuously pressed on state authorities, render influence (income) on them testing (try) and convicting (be sure), that it will will emerge factories of trucks and to decide transport problems personal przyczyni, many work-places will supply, but motor industry will open chance of development of (evolution of) domain of other economy. Built (created) central management of motorization has issued permission on enrollment of private personal car 12 april 1946 year exactly operators of car club due to it recently, but message has declared about preparation for new structure of factory next. It return in this case for pre-war licencjonodawcy or for italian fiat. Negotiations have been started in half (hunt) 1947 year, which (who) have ended 31 july 1948 signing of (subscribing of) next license agreement. Had to supply machines according to fiat and technological fix-ups, build factory, start up production of new car in (to) her (it) - model 1100 -ex- < b >, as well as model 1400, had which (who) first copies from productive tape in year 1950 zjechać. Plant (bet) had to produce according to forecasted plans 18 thousand vehicles a year. Work have proceed in two-shift mode. It choose warsaw on place of production and state plants of (bets of) engineering on prague initially intend rebuild, where personal cars were produced before war and small trucks, but it decide on concept of situating (localizing) factory on suburbs of warsaw ultimately, at highway Modlińskiej among - Golędzinowem but Pelcowizną. Crew has started structure in august from brigade of service 1948 year poland junaków, but two rooms (shops) emerge within three months. Endowment of (outfit of) plant (bet) already begin too come on, agreement (convention) guaranteed which (who) with italians (italy). Sensible became near the end of year 1948 " chill war " more and more. It has caused breaking of agreement (convention) in 1949 year with fiat on distinct errand of joseph of stalin -, socialism argumented in country which (who) impossibility of production building, from foreign cars camp dating ideologically. In his opinion standardized car camp can turn out helpful in possible case of (accidentally of) military conflict also. Stalin has presented poles license of obsolete personal car GAS (GAUZE) M20 Pobieda, it reached which (who) origin american ford but ( Foto. 1 ). Car plants (bets) produced cars from early 30 in (to) on american license [ Gorki gas (gauze) in (to) USSR personal - first produced serially but ford ( but ) and small trucks built in foothold about same sub-assembly - gas (gauze) AA. However, engine of this car was based on engine from 1940 year design dodge. Gauze agree upon in 1936 year on base but gas (gauze) has been built M1 or so called ( Emka Foto. 2 ). Summary meant 1 M1 Mołotov-Nr. New body process during war for gauze M1 and vehicle present stalin in 1946 year, which (who) shortly has entered as gas (gauze) for (after) for serial production it M20 Pobieda. He (it) was modernized during escalation of production permanently < steel >, numerous changes emerged and prototypes - e.g. sedan " " Pobieda-NAMI, Pobieda - convertible ( Foto. 3 ), As well as local version in 1955 year - gas (gauze) 72 ( Foto. Gauze with drive on four circles on base of under-carriage 4 69 ) ( ) ]. So, it agree upon after broken negotiations with fiat with russians, that cars will be in (to) on warsaw on presented soviet license GAS (GAUZE) factory produced nowobudowanej Żeraniu M20 Pobieda. Indeed license was free, however, engineering documentation costed 130 million contemporary zloty < golden >, but tłoczniki and machines by many lat (summer; year) supplies of carbon (charcoal; coal) cost next 250 million zloty amount it polish < poland > pay off.

1935: Licence agreement signed between Opel and Lilpop

26 February 1937…lodging with Treasury Minister hq of joint stock manufacturing company…did this coincide with bonds being issued?

War in poland before GM byl juz! In 1928 year in warsaw erecting shop chevrolet General Motors uruchomil samochodow. It on branch it factory Byla dziewiata swiecie. Work of erecting shop on fitting of car body polegala glownie, on place welded, on imported under-carriage. It assemble theses personal Oprocz samochodow ciezarowki. GM planowal rowniez budowe wiekszego zakladu And expansion of production, but owing to economic crisis, they give up zostaly, but production interrupted. In year second (other) 1936 place podejscie GM mialo, when with (from) firm included (reach; make) license agreement " zostala Lilpop, Rau and on " production Loewenstein wylacznosc and personal sprzedazy samochodow. It produce marks nastepujace opel engine 43 KM ( Kadett, price 5200 ) zl, opel 43 KM ( Olympia, price 6200 ) zl, four types 85 KM ( Chevroletow, prices from 7600 for 11900 ) zl, and two types Buicka 107 KM - ( piecioosobowy, 13900 ) zl and limousine ( 140 KM, 22000 ) zl. Only vehicle Poczatkowo skladano, but it produce in poland in course of time more wiecej podzespolow. From 1938 thesis office design istnialo, in (to) two prototype called polish chevrolet ktorym powstaly. For in august 1939 road ready badan byly, but in (to) war mobilized poczatkach zostaly and zaginely. In lublin investment " " structure factory Najwieksza Lilpopa byla silnikow it finds on this field - presently sie FSC. By on market 12281 period production erecting shop caly wypuscila pojazdow, supplier from 1937 polish stajac sie najwiekszym samochodow. During war concern zaklady Lilpopa zostaly podporzadkowane Hermann Goering Werke, then during revolt blasted doszczetnie. After polish chevrolet only zostaly fotog

GM in Poland

was already before WW2! In Warsaw in 1928 GM opened assembly plant for Chevrolet cars. It was then the 9th international branch of the company. Work in the plant was mostly focused on chassis installations, welded on the spot and mounted on the installed underbodies. Besides the passenger cars, the trucks were also assebled there. GM was also planning building of a bigger plant and broadening of production range, but due to economic crisis, the plans were dropped and production stopped.

Second attempt by GM took place in 1936, when it signed a licensing agreement with the Lilpop, Rau & Loewenstein company. LR&L got the exclusive rights to make and sell GM cars in Poland. The following brands were produced: Opel Kadett (43 hp engine, priced at 5200 zl), Opel Olympia (43 hp engine, priced at 6200 zl), four types of Chevrolet (85 hp, priced between 7600 to 11900 zl), two types of Buick - 5 passenger car (107 hp, 13900 zl) and limousine (140 hp, 22000 zl). Initially, only the car assembly operation was taking place, but eventually an increasing number of components were made in Poland were also used. In 1938 a design office was established and it developed two prototypes called Polish Chevrolets. The prototypes were ready for the road tests in 1939, but in the beginning of the war they were mobilized (for the army) and went missing. The biggest investment of Lilpop was the engine factory in Lublin (in eastern Poland); currently it is part of the FSC (Fabryka Samochodow Ciezarowych - Truck Car Factory). During the whole period the Lilpop factory has made 12,281 cars, becoming in 1937 the biggest Polish car maker. During the war Lilpop factory (in Warsaw) became subsidiaries of Hermann Georing Werke, and then completely destroyed during the Warsaw Uprising in 1944. The only trace of Polish Chevrolets are the old photographs...

Although, this licence agreement was unfavourable for the production of such original PZinz's designs like the CWS and Lux-Sport cars, it was very important for the Polish automotive industry. Polski Fiat 508 was the first Polish automobile made in thousands (2000 annually) from the home manufactured mechanical components. The standard saloon bodies were built from the the parts sourced from Italy, but there were also several bodywork variations (cabriolet, delivery van, etc.) available from the local coachbuilders. This kindly priced car obviously „brought the wheels" to many of the people, who could only dream about having of an automobile before. Indeed, the new, pro-motoring policy initiated by the Ministry of Transport in 1935 which granted the 20% tax refund (of the taxes paid in the last 3 years) for every purchaser of the new Polish made car, was very promotive. In fact, it made the Polski Fiat cheaper and encouraged other manufacturers for, at least, assembling of their products in Poland (like for instance General Motors). Annual sales of new cars (all brands) rose abruptly from a mere 1500 in 1934 to 14,000 units in 1938 (a rise to 20,000 was predicted for 1940). The PZinz crew grew from 300 in 1934 to 3000 emploees in 1939. The several military vehicles were also derived from the models 508, 518 and 621. After years of depression, prosperity seemed to be just around the corner.

Polski Fiat production, which totalled 10,000, was terminated by the WW II. Some of these automobiles survived the war, and were often seen (used as everyday cars) even in the 60's. Nowadays, the thoroughly restored vehicles can be seen at the classic car meetings. The automobiles of the brand Polski Fiat appeared again by the end of the 60's, manufactured by the FSO in Warsaw.

Polski Fiat And Its Competitors:

Family Cars Manufactured Or Assembled in Poland in 1939

Make & Model Engine Seating Capacity Max Speed (in km/h) Price (in zl)

Polski Fiat 508 1000cc, 24hp 4 85 4950

Opel Kadett 1080cc, 27hp 4 100 5200

Steyr 55 1160cc, 26hp 4 95 5900

Fiat 1100 1100cc, 32hp 4 110 6450

Polski Fiat 518 1900cc, 45hp 4 or 5 105 9000

Fiat 1500 1500cc, 45hp 4 or 5 115 9250

Chevrolet Master Sedan 3600cc, 85hp 5 or 6 135 7640

Chevrolet Master DeLuxe 3600cc, 85hp 5 or 6 135 9800

Opel Olympia 1500cc, 43hp 4 or 5 120 6200

Passenger Car Sales In Poland

Year Quantity

1934 1500

1935 2000

1936 4946

1937 9969

1938 14000

1939 n/a

1940 20000 (a forecast from 1938)

Thank you David:

Your research, as always, is awesome!!

Bill

Bill,

Just a little sideline here, because the press pic is so cool; 1942 Merchant Marine Motor Pool here in the U.S...

Larger, not exactly your cup of tea, but the variety of vehicles is appealing.

TG

Hi TG:

Thanks for the additional photo.

The Chrysler T-C Wagon and the Olds wagon are sweeeeeet!!

Regarding your comment, not only do I collect purely military oriented photos, but in the past I also collected anything on vehicles used in "business" and municipal service that interested me. Ambulances, taxis, police cars and so forth. I have not scanned much of any of that collection into my PC files but maybe I can dig some up.

To the point of my posting these photos, I have the utmost respect for members here who are involved in restoring "real" vehicles, used to do a bit of that myself. But, I am hoping that posting these old "in use" photos will add another dimension to the Forum. They form a part of the history of the remaining vehicles I think.

Thanks again

Bill

For some reason this thread got lost in my stuff. Still collecting two years later.

Here a nice 1936 Chevrolet ambulance from Norway.

Bill

A 1939 Lincoln Zephyr from Brazil.

Bill

1936 Dodge in a Thailand museum.

Bill

A few more.

Dodge 1936 Norway.

Plymouth 1938 Ireland

Buick 1938 Romania

Dodge 1936 Romania.

Edit: The photos and descriptions are bass ackward. Go from bottom to top.

Bill

Chevrolet 1937 Colombia.

Bill

Hudson 1936 Croatia.

Bill

Chrysler ca 1934 Romania.

Bill

Hudson 1938 Germany.

Bill

Plymouth 1938 Romania.

Bill

Cadillac model 75 1937 Romania.

Bill

I recently seen a TV show that told of Stuebaker trucks in Russia and how they greatly aided the Russians in wining the war by quickly moving war materials from the far away factorys up to the front.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=11&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CD0QFjAK&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.historynet.com%2Fstudebaker-us6-the-lend-lease-deuce-and-a-half.htm&ei=fL_LU5SOI461yATP4ICABA&usg=AFQjCNGiOufHdI_-tARVCDnEYwEHBecI_A

https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRT-Wh1xZ75Q9b9v81-LODv9K0CxsUCAQSibxaJXLMN-9OrEDdm

https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRanN9nyXKGeZJO4UTI8iaOwZSRQpliGC_eKRnurx26_X9lRVin

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS4cF75Kv_XK1DV-FOzrSGT-UJDXUzUK25pOqP11Ah7SPkjCN-F

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTZWBdKKp6ozGA8gSBdWO6c2ZRqvsK13g3F2Rq4Dz-cBzpLLQvz

Hi Roger:

Thanks for the response.........

The Lend Lease Story is quite interesting, not only to do with Studebakers. I have linked a pretty accurate set of tables of transport vehicles supplied to the Soviet Union and you can see it was quite a variety.

I say interesting in that contemporary military history reports from the former Soviet Union as well as histories written well into the 1990's have always downplayed the contribution of Lend Lease, not only transport vehicles but also armored vehicles, aircraft and the thousands of other items that made up Lend Lease. The US histories describe Lend Lease as a "game changer" and the Soviet accounts say it was "somewhat helpful".

I will say as a long time amateur researcher of such things that the vehicle and aircraft equipment supplied to the Soviet Union were, in the main, second line equipment compared to what we supplied our own armed forces. The Studebakers, Internationals, Marmon Herrington Fords etc. were used in very limited amounts by US forces. The AirCobra airplane I think was little used by our Army Air Force of the time.

Well, a bit off topic, but an interesting part of the US vehicles used overseas story.

Bill

http://www.1jma.dk/articles/1jmaarticlelendlease.htm

Graham Paige car used by a brewery, Netherlands.

Packard used by Marshal Zhang in Manchuria.

Ford 1937 used by Belgian refugees after the fall of Belgium. From ebay.

1937 Chevrolet with gas generator apparatus used in Norway.

It is not a WW era pic, but I found this one in a book of old pics taken in NZ. A 1937 Buick Roadmaster phaeton towing a racing hydroplane, taken in the mid 1950s I think. I guess the boat is flathead Ford powered from the exhausts. It is a scan so the quality is not brilliant. A rare car in NZ because, as far as I can find out, there were only three of these imported that year and none have survived.

Hi Mate:

Nice to see a Kiwi posting on this type of thread........

Your Buick is quite valid here as my intent was to have a photo representation of these vehicles that were produced 1935-1945 even if "soldiering on" a bit later. I do not normally include current "restored" examples as there are so many sites that cover that subject already out there. Actually I also stray a bit down to about 1930 for interesting examples.

In any case, I recently revisited a Lithuanian site that I had not looked at for years and they have a lot of postwar photos of American and other nation's vehicles still in use in the 1970's in various former Soviet Union countries. I will post a few here.

1939 Chevrolet sedan.

Bill

Here a very rare 1939 Chevrolet Imperial 7 passenger somewhere behind the Iron Curtain. Sorry for the quality but it is rare.

Bill

And a 1937 Ford "slightly modified" again behind the Iron Curtain somewhere.

Bill

1937 Oldsmobile Polis (police) car somewhere in the Soviet Union, probably Lithuania.

Bill,

The '39 Chevrolet Imperial intrigued me, and I found this on the IMCDb...

Scroll down the thread for more info and pics of the 7-P Imperial.

A Belgian-made car in a Roumanian film. Nzcarnerd from a post above commented on these on the IMCDb, where another thread says they were on a 134-inch wheelbase, which I can't confirm.

Great thread!

TG

Related to your thread (I hope), here's some more on these Chevrolet Imperials...

This is from GM's site, but the picture link is gone...

"1. 1936 Model Gläser-bodied 4-door Phaeton or 4-door Cabriolet.

These cars were based on the Fisher Body 1023 Imperial Sedan with its longer-wheelbase chassis. These cars were imported into the Antwerp, Belgium Plant of General Motors Continental S.A. and then railed to Gläser in Germany for conversion to 4-door Phaeton or Cabriolet which was equivalent to the Model 1016 Phaeton. The actual model was: MASTER DE LUXE IMPERIAL 7-SEAT LIMOUSINE WITHOUT DIVISION or SPECIAL SEDAN WITH TRUNK, MODEL 1223 FISHER 1023. The cars were then railed back to Antwerp or the Rotterdam, Netherlands office. The exhibition car is at the Amsterdam Motor Show in 1936. The car with top down still exists and was sold new in the Netherlands: F.B. Vrijaldenhoven".

Then there's this amazing thread on the VCCA site with a lot of info on the cars...

Learn something new every day!

TG

The 37 Ford in post#34 is likely a 36-37 Matford or other EuroFord. The 38 Olds in #35 is a 37

Hi Guys:

Thank you so much for your responses, greatly appreciated.

I will take Dave's comments first.

The Oldsmobile is indeed a 1937 model, my bad. I took so many photos from that site so quickly, all uncaptioned and some heavily modified, that I captioned them myself sometimes in too much of a hurry. No excuse, just happens sometimes.

Regarding the Ford, I assume your photo is a French Matford, 1936 model. My references are not as good as they should be on Matford but it is apparent that like the Brits and the Germans, they went their own way as regards styling by model year during most of the 1930's. In this case, Matford used the US 1937 style grille with separate headlamps already in 1936. Note, though, the louvers in the side of the motor hood are different than on my photo. As well, in all of my reference photos, this grille style in 1936 was not supplied as the traditional Ford "Fordor" body style, only as a close coupled "Berline" style sedan. From 1937, they used a version of the US grille but mounted the headlamps into the front fenders in a fashion a bit different than the US variants.

I attach a photo here and then I will do another post on the German variant as I am still having problems putting up multiple photos per post.

Bill

OK, regarding the German Fords for 1937.

Unfortunately, unlike "Oracle" David Hayward, a friend via the internet of many years before his untimely passing, I did not penetrate a lot of the detail information on US vehicles assembled or manufactured outside the US. I was satisfied to just collect the photos and relied to a great deal on the accuracy of the data I found.

My photo files indicate that the German 1937 Ford was a combination of a modified US 1937 grille mounted on 1936 chassis/sheet metal.

Note on the photo below that the headlamps are still free standing.

That would lead me to believe that "my" photo is indeed most likely a Euro Ford and probably a German product.

I would appreciate your opinion.

Bill