caramateur Posted February 28, 2019 Share Posted February 28, 2019 Hi all! I'm trying to help a friend identify a car they purchased which is clearly from the Brass Era. Whoever restored the car did so over a decade ago and added some decal that says "1902" and "Masthead" on the front. However, I cannot find any information on this make. I suspect the car might be an Apperson or early Ford model between 1905-1915, based on the style. But, judging from the style, I'm highly suspicious that it is a 1902. Here are some links to photos of the car: Any ideas? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spinneyhill Posted February 28, 2019 Share Posted February 28, 2019 (edited) https://www.triplekangkor.com/masthead-car-siem-reap/ British! Maybe. I think it is a fabrication of all sorts of bits. Let us see the engine. Masthead is not a name shown in lists of defunct British car makes. Edited February 28, 2019 by Spinneyhill (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caramateur Posted February 28, 2019 Author Share Posted February 28, 2019 3 minutes ago, Spinneyhill said: https://www.triplekangkor.com/masthead-car-siem-reap/ British! Thanks for your reply. I realize that is what they are claiming or have been told. And I don't doubt it was owned by someone from the UK, who may have originally brought it to Hong Kong where it was used during WWII, but I do doubt that it is a "1902 Masthead" as I have not found any info on such a company and the style is unlike any British car during 1899-1904. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spinneyhill Posted February 28, 2019 Share Posted February 28, 2019 I have added to my post. I think it might be a local manufacture. They don't look much like car wheels. Was there a Masthead truck? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caramateur Posted February 28, 2019 Author Share Posted February 28, 2019 2 minutes ago, Spinneyhill said: I have added to my post. I think it might be a local manufacture. They don't look much like car wheels. Was there a Masthead truck? I've found nothing of this name in anything relating to automobiles in Google, at least (except referencing the exact car in question - the link you gave IS the same exact vehicle). That is a good possibility it is a mix-match of automobiles. I'll see if I can get them to open it up and give me a picture of the engine block. A lot of the internal components, from peeking in the front, were mix-matched. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caramateur Posted February 28, 2019 Author Share Posted February 28, 2019 This has some similarities, a 1909 Buick Model F: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nzcarnerd Posted February 28, 2019 Share Posted February 28, 2019 Some relatively modern creation. I see in the second photo it has vented disc brakes and telescopic shocks. I wonder what is under the hood. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercer09 Posted February 28, 2019 Share Posted February 28, 2019 junk made from parts............... 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8E45E Posted February 28, 2019 Share Posted February 28, 2019 1975 Austin Marina hidden underneath, I bet! Anyone remember the 'Albany' made from a Triumph Spitfire? Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937hd45 Posted February 28, 2019 Share Posted February 28, 2019 Is it For Sale? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Shaw Posted February 28, 2019 Share Posted February 28, 2019 5 hours ago, caramateur said: This has some similarities, a 1909 Buick Model F: You must be kidding... Maybe the shape of the radiator surround, but nothing else... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oily rag Posted February 28, 2019 Share Posted February 28, 2019 I don't see anything from the brass era. The radiator looks like the same expanded metal as the Seeburg jukebox speaker grills with noting behind it. The pin on the bottom of the radiator shell looks like it is there to keep the hood and radiator from moving forward. It is nothing but a poorly proportioned tourist car that would fit right in at Toon Town in sunny California. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
46 woodie Posted February 28, 2019 Share Posted February 28, 2019 I'm betting that it was made from a combination of parts, as an attraction to lure tourists into thinking they are being driven around in some sort of antique car. Those front tires look like solid rubber. The seats look like modern, high back, bucket seats. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted February 28, 2019 Share Posted February 28, 2019 (edited) I don't know what it is, but it's not a 1902 anything. My guess is, that it is a small bus built for the tourist trade on a late model light truck chassis. A hand made body built in the last 10 or 20 years. The serial number, registration, and engine number would tell the tale. There is a good chance someone on this board could identify it by a few pictures of the engine and underside of the chassis. Masthead emblem probably picked up in a junk shop, it may be old but it is not even off a car or truck. Your friend has a unique and eye catching vehicle. If it is on a modern chassis it should serve him well for many years if he takes care of it. It is important to identify what kind of vehicle it is, so he can find out the proper service schedule and knows what sort of replacement parts to buy when they are needed. Edited February 28, 2019 by Rusty_OToole (see edit history) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Man Posted February 28, 2019 Share Posted February 28, 2019 (edited) Agreed, if you really want to know.... get some pictures from under the vehicle, parts like the rear end, suspension and engine will identify the year built. I would be shocked if it were any older than 1960's by Disney. My favorite part is the 1970's door handles, Ford/Holden? Masthead built ship lamps, most likely someone thought the emblem looked good. Edited February 28, 2019 by Graham Man (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JACK M Posted February 28, 2019 Share Posted February 28, 2019 Well, I have been to Siem Reap, Angkor Wat and Phnom Penn and never saw this car or any Bamboo trains mentioned in the above link. Additionally I didn't see any ads for same in those hotel racks that push the activities. That said, one of the most beautiful places I have ever been and would go back in a heartbeat. Maybe I could get a ride in that thing, but the small motor bikes with the trailers were plenty fun. I didn't get a very good photo, but here one is. But, How would you like to be an electrician there. Actually the wiring photos are form Viet Nam, The gas station and bike from Cambodia. The gasoline was sold by the liter from old soda bottles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe in Canada Posted March 1, 2019 Share Posted March 1, 2019 9 hours ago, 1937hd45 said: Is it For Sale? Estimate is $160 a ton. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caramateur Posted March 1, 2019 Author Share Posted March 1, 2019 14 hours ago, 1937hd45 said: Is it For Sale? No, at least not that I am aware of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
caramateur Posted March 1, 2019 Author Share Posted March 1, 2019 12 hours ago, Graham Man said: Agreed, if you really want to know.... get some pictures from under the vehicle, parts like the rear end, suspension and engine will identify the year built. I would be shocked if it were any older than 1960's by Disney. My favorite part is the 1970's door handles, Ford/Holden? Masthead built ship lamps, most likely someone thought the emblem looked good. Great job finding that. I was looking every where to figure out where the "restorer" got this emblem. Definitely not a legit automobile make. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mercer09 Posted March 1, 2019 Share Posted March 1, 2019 Jack, looks like you need to break down for a new " wiring harness" bud............. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
8E45E Posted March 1, 2019 Share Posted March 1, 2019 17 hours ago, JACK M said: But, How would you like to be an electrician there. The scrappers would be swarming all over that if it were in an old abandoned industrial area here in the USA!! Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Man Posted March 1, 2019 Share Posted March 1, 2019 OK lets try to be nice....how many of us went to get "blinker fluid", spark plugs for a diesel, antifreeze for a beetle....we were all novices at one time. How come Uncles were always the worst/best at that stuff? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lump Posted March 1, 2019 Share Posted March 1, 2019 This reminds me of the double-decker bus I bought from Walt Disney world some years ago. It certainly LOOKS old, but was made in the 1950's or 1980's depending on whether one believes the date on the title, or some research others claim to have done on these propane-powered GMC straight six-equipped vehicles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JACK M Posted March 1, 2019 Share Posted March 1, 2019 (edited) FWIW, I found a better pic of those bikes. They were all over the place. They are rigged with a kind of a 5th wheel affair. Edited March 1, 2019 by JACK M (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JACK M Posted March 1, 2019 Share Posted March 1, 2019 Hotel in Siem Reap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1912Staver Posted March 2, 2019 Share Posted March 2, 2019 22 hours ago, caramateur said: Great job finding that. I was looking every where to figure out where the "restorer" got this emblem. Definitely not a legit automobile make. I am not even sure masthead is the lamp manufacturer. It may just be a tag indicating that lamp is intended to be used on the masthead . Some of the lamps we had on the ship I worked on had similar labels, port. starboard, stern, anchor. They are very old fashioned however still required as part of the emergency equipment on ships {Canada at least} in case of a total power failure. Greg in Canada Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 2, 2019 Share Posted March 2, 2019 Certainly not a car from the brass era. Just a "touristy" abortion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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