Chrysler products delivery convoy

[nzcarnerd]

I was going to put this in the Dodge trucks section but thought it would get a bigger audience here. Found on Shorpy. Just curious. Does that truck have the 'big block' flat head six in it? Can that engine be recognised in a view like this? Note also the tread on some of the trailer tyres!

[Spinneyhill]

I hope those covers don't flap 'else the dealer has a cut and polish to do before showing, to remove the scratches.

[JACK M]

I would think those tarp must just be for while they are parked.

[JACK M]

Spinney, Great minds think alike. (and at the same time)

Edited August 6, 2017 by JACK M (see edit history)

[nzcarnerd]

Interesting comment re the tarps. I would have thought the cars would need to be covered to prevent stone damage on the road. I wonder how fast they drove. Maybe not more than 30 mph - shifting over ten tons with a flat head six would be hard work. . What was the heavy vehicle speed limit?

 

Edited August 6, 2017 by nzcarnerd (see edit history)

[Rusty_OToole]

I don't know about the speed limit but I doubt they went over 30. Given the weight and how high it was carried, and the limited power they had to work with.

 

The car covers appear to be sewn to fit the cars. I should think they were on there while the cars were in transit but I don't know why they would need them.

Edited August 6, 2017 by Rusty_OToole (see edit history)

[zipdang]

Any comments on the engine question?

[Mark Gregory]

I wonder if the tarps are protecting the glass ? ?  The way they fit . Years ago the Ford plant in Oakville , Ontario shipped their cars out on trains and people used to drop rocks on the cars from bridges . Before the enclosed rail transporters .

Edited August 7, 2017 by Mark Gregory (see edit history)

[Spinneyhill]

It is interesting the tarps are on the top cars but not those on the lower deck. Maybe the natives throw stones at them.

[28 Chrysler]

No freeways at that time, driving through towns that had trees planted on Main St. 

Has anyone seen a big box van with scratches down the side ?

[Rusty_OToole]

If you open the photo in a new tab and enlarge it you can see quite a bit of detail. The tarps or car covers are sewn to fit the cars. They are also numbered. The lower numbers, presumably the older ones, are streaked and stained with something that looks like tar. 28 Chrysler may have the answer. Maybe there was some kind of tree overhanging  the road that drips sap on the cars. The streaks are smears of tree sap.

 

You can also see that the bumpers are protected by some kind of tape or brown paper glued on.

 

It is impossible to tell what size engine they have as they all look alike. They may very well have the stock Dodge engine of 217 cu in and 87HP. It would pull the load, it just wouldn't pull it very fast.

 

The license plates appear to be New York 1937. What kind of trees grow in New York that might overhang the roads and drip sap in the summer? I know I have parked under trees and come back a few days later to a car spotted with sticky sap but I don't remember what kind of trees they were.

Edited August 7, 2017 by Rusty_OToole (see edit history)