Vintman Posted November 18, 2015 Share Posted November 18, 2015 Hi Folks, After contacting many of our experts, they have given up on this one which they think could be British. To me this has an American feel of cca 1930/32. Photo from UK but enquiry from Canada of Canadians in UK in the late 1930s. Enquirer suggests a possible Austin. Would appreciate any suggestion to follow up! The bulbous bit of bodywork at chassis level behind the wheel must surely be a pointer to somebody, as is the step plate without a runningboard. Regards Vintman (UK)www.svvs.org Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Henderson Posted November 18, 2015 Share Posted November 18, 2015 Vintman, a great challenge picture, I hope they never stop coming.At first I wondered why there was no rumble step on the rear fender, but realized that it is rhd and it would be on the other unseen side. I see no resemblance to any "factory" made USA car of its era..The cylindrical projection at the rear of the front fender might indicate it had a torsion bar front suspension. The single step and the high bottom door were no doubt seen as very sporty features in its day. I'd love to discover this one in a barn somewhere! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dictator27 Posted November 18, 2015 Share Posted November 18, 2015 I agree with Dave. I don't think this is a North American produced vehicle, including Commonwealth preference ones from Canada. The projection behind the front fender is clearance for the drag link (reach rod) and the triangular shaped piece on the engine hood in front of the hood latch is clearance for the pitman arm. What little can be seen of the gauges could suggest Austin as their instruments were small and placed in front of the driver beginning in the early thirties. The three sets of louvres on the hood, the cowl mounted electric(?) wiper motor and windshield frame mounted cowl lights are not typical of Austin. Off topic, but the first British car to have torsion bars was the 1947 Jowett Javelin which had them at all four corners. The early torsion bar suspension used by Chrysler beginning in 1957 was a direct copy of Jowett's system and was used under licence. Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casper Friederich Posted November 20, 2015 Share Posted November 20, 2015 The patterns of the louvers suggests an early Wolsey Hornet, 1930-31:http://www.prewarminor.com/#/factory-hornets/4533782399At least the open models were all coachbuilt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nzcarnerd Posted November 20, 2015 Share Posted November 20, 2015 It is way too big to be a Hornet but I guess it could be a one of the larger model Wolseleys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vintman Posted November 20, 2015 Author Share Posted November 20, 2015 Thanks Dave and Dictator for your thoughts, and to Casper for his suggestion. I had looked at normal British makes but nothing has come to mind. Tend to agree with NZ about Hornet size but Wolseley Hornet was made in a bigger looking version with bodies by Swallow etc. Very nice cars, but none have the bulbous bodywork under the bonnet. Overall feel of the car is low budget but the coachwork looks nice.Very annoying that something that appears so relatively simple will have to go down as UNIDENTIFIED!! Regards and Thanks Vintman (UK) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JACK M Posted November 20, 2015 Share Posted November 20, 2015 Those guys appear to be looking for trouble. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stude17 Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 The patterns of the louvers suggests an early Wolsey Hornet, 1930-31:http://www.prewarminor.com/#/factory-hornets/4533782399At least the open models were all coachbuiltI agree with you Casper. This is not a large vehicle judging by the cramped posture of the three occupants and the small rear wheel. I will go with Wolseley Hornet with a custom body. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nzcarnerd Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 More re the size of the Wolseley Hornet. If you do a Google image search for 'Wolseley Hornet Swallow' you will that the wheelbase is short enough that the front of the rear wheel is about level with the back of the front(only!) seat. Our mystery car has nearly the whole diameter of the wheel as space between the two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leif Holmberg Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 (edited) Hi "Vintman" have you asked the Wolseley forum?Leif in Sweden. http://www.wolseleyregister.co.uk/members-area/forum/ Edited November 21, 2015 by Leif Holmberg (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stude17 Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 More re the size of the Wolseley Hornet. If you do a Google image search for 'Wolseley Hornet Swallow' you will that the wheelbase is short enough that the front of the rear wheel is about level with the back of the front(only!) seat. Our mystery car has nearly the whole diameter of the wheel as space between the two.The position of the rear of the back seat is relative to where the cowl is placed. The examples shown on the Google site "Wolseley Hornet Swallow" have the rear seat placed back as far as possible which is made possible by the positioning of the cowl. Some have longer cowls and/or bonnets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dictator27 Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 To me there are too many things which do not indicate a Hornet. The clearances for the drag link and pitman arm do not show up an any Hornet I have found. Regardless of the cowl length, the wheelbase is longer. This car has three groups of five louvres. From what I've seen, Hornets have three groups of seven. The body is higher and appears to be wider. The body reveal moulding is wrong as is the windshield. 'Tis a mystery! Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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