navigator4

Ran back out to the site, and a closer look revealed the word Opel cast into the steering gear. The cluster is right, too. No trace of the engine, what looked like cylinders was part of the body. So, mystery solved. Thanks for the help! Note, those lights are very well attached, but not movable. I guess there were no fenders (or roof or windshield, or ...)

Great work, that looks right! Besides the dash, there's that part under the curved windshield that is cut off on the jalopy. Will still get out there and see what else I can find, maybe there is a bit left of the engine. Thanks!!

Thanks for the replies. Those pics were taken by a friend, I will get out there in a week or so and take more detailed photos, maybe find a good clue.

Does anyone recognize this car? It's out in the mountains of Arizona at a mining area, so I presume it was used to get around the site. Has been pretty well chopped up and modified, but if you know your dashboards, it should be identifiable. Can get better pics later if needed. Thanks!

Great, thanks for the replies! This is along the San Pedro River in Cochise County.

Found while out hiking in southern AZ. Any thoughts on ID? Thanks!

On the Chevy frame, could that round thing on the right rear be a step to get into a rumble seat?

Rod, excellent catch! It's those kind of details that experienced old-auto gurus are invaluable for! That writing was not on the car when I first saw it, someone wrote it there later, trying to be helpful and probably using the body style (cowling) for clues. Compared to modern autos, that engine almost looks industrial. This one was probably connected to a compressor or generator, which would have been mounted on the adjacent concrete pier. Thanks to all for their input!

There used to be a tag there, but no more. It may be the one my friend removed long ago...

Couple more pics taken today... Paint on frame (flipped photo because it's written upside down) appears to read GS 11.7.28. Block stamp looks like R288160. No other plates/labels.

Got back out there, took a few more pics. There is no tag, but can see where one was riveted on on the lower rear, on the passenger side. Leif's pic of the engine showing the firewall matches exactly. Still believe it was a convertible/phaeton, as there is no evidence of the body having been cut. Note the pic (425) showing top of rear body, appears to have the pivot for the folding top (see red car above).

No ID plates to be found, and someone has removed more engine parts. The cowling has been stood up, but is in the wrong place and facing the wrong way. Couple more pics for clarity.

Thanks to all who replied for sharing their time and knowledge, it sure helps out those of us who would otherwise have a hard time identifying rusty relics!

Yeah, I dug more after I posted that and found that the last pickups were in '23. I would ask my friend what he remembers, but he passed away a couple years ago. I will try to get out there soon and see what else I can find, but it's a bit of a hike. Thanks!

A little damp today, but went out and took some more pics, maybe enough details to make a positive-ish ID. Note the rear forming is straight across the back; the Willys' curves upward. Also the rear side window shape is different. The green '33 that Keiser31 posted looks right, but kills my thought that this body goes to the cowl I linked above. The body looks like it rolled on its left side, and the frame appears to have been broadsided.