The Magazine - PreWarCar

Is it a Derby Mystery?

2012-05-15T23:00:00Z

by Ron King: I attach a photograph, taken by a friend, in the 1950's of what I think is a very much modified 1928 Derby, possibly for racing, as one can see the traces on the original photo of what looks like painted on racing number in front of the outside handbrake and airpump, both in themselves I would think modifications. The rear springs look lowered by the expedient of fitting angled wedges under the mountings and of course the lack of front wings. Those on the back look more like driver elbow protection than anything else. What the oversize P100's did to the frontal area and speed one hesitates to think. I only know it is a Derby of 1928 because that is what is written on the back of the photo it would be nice to know if anyone remembers this car and could say more about it and if it still exists. (>>> Read More).

editor: we need to be convinced that it is a Derby. It is closer to a La Perle and the radiator cowl looks BNC-ish. Yet maybe it's a parts collection on a Derby chassis, who knows.

Is this all what's left of Peter & Moritz?

2012-05-15T23:00:00Z

Of certain makes of car only a few examples are left. Also there are marques of which only one specimen is left. Also there are automobiles known of which only a chassis or engine survived. With the most charming make Peter und Moritz (clearly inspired by the stripheroes Max & Moritz created by Wilhelm Busch) it is even worse. As far as known to Stefan Feller this radiator badge is the only tangible what' s left of the German cyclecar manufacturer of Naumberg that existed from 1921-1925. First with aircooled cars and later with watercooling. Not even sure to which type this badge was fitted. We are most eager to learn if any Peter und Moritz car (or any part for what it's worth) has survived. According to Georgano there was a relation with Rover. Can anyone add to cheerful background of the Naumberg car? (badge from collection Stefan Feller)

London Taxi waiting for new assignment.

2012-05-14T23:00:00Z

Bob Holmes sends us these photos of a 1910 Panhard et Levassor London taxi that has recently been discovered following the death of its previous owner in Gloucestershire, England. The car is fitted with Laundelette coachwork and features all of its original fittings including taxi meter, Metropolitan Police fare card, passenger to driver direction indicator, etc.. The car is totally complete and just needs careful recommissioning before it is ready to go again. It is thought to have been restored around fifty years ago and appears to have had very little use since until it was laid up around twelve years ago. The car has been entered for sale at Richard Edmonds auctioneers auction at Castle Combe racing circuit on Saturday 30th June. Hopefully a new owner can be found to carefully preserve this unique motor car.

Monday mystery axles

2012-05-13T23:00:00Z

Funny, ther's so little to see and still it's almost a car. As if it's only a few bits of chassis rails and an engine that's needed to get this cyclecar(?) going again...
Back to reality, Johan Kroon is asking your help to identify these axles. Finally somebody who takes the trouble to provide dimensions with his mystery object! What we also like is the 'tapestry' chosen by the photographer. When this ........ ever will come back to the road, it should be on a road like this.

Here some dimensions: the track width is 110 cm / diameter of wheels 54 cm / width of rims 6 cm / mounting of springs front 70 cm apart and rear 85 cm / brake drum diameter 20 cm / diameter chain wheel 17 cm.

Editor: looks like something lightish, we're looking forward to your remarks. Question for Johan: is it one or two chainwheels? And what is the size of the brass(?) hubcaps. Here a few more photos.

Ticks like a mouse, goes like a lion.

2012-05-12T23:00:00Z

Derek Wilson reports from last Sunday's VCC event in Ireland. He says it is a minor event, but look what a fine collection came down the road to join in! The chairman Bernard Williamson attented and navigated for Jim Boland in a beautiful 1912 Napier. Further Derek was truly amazed at the running of this 1912 Renault (CG?) , "it ticks over like a mouses heart and flies along". It is a 25 hp and the distribitor was so unique, a fantastic car owned by Brian King. The oldest participating car was Jonathan Bewleys 1900 Gladiator.

Do you have an event to report about? No matter how small or big. Click here to let us know.

What is it? Quiz # 322

2012-05-11T23:00:00Z

This is a pre 1914 car. The knowledge that it's a British made car may not be a great help, as it is a rarely seen guest; not even at typical brass car events. The manufacturers started in the steam business and proceeded from there into non-steam public transport. And only from there car production came in sight. Still, as a car marque this double name was on the market for two decades until the mid twenties. The car depicted here is a specimen of their most succesful series. Not only in sales but also in motorsport. Before leaving you with the problem of correctly describing this fine motorcar we like to wish you a sunny weekend.

Tell us as accurate as you can what car this is and you will have a chance to win the as ever infamous PreWarCar T-shirt. Post your answer in the comment section below. But be sure to read The Rules under Read More before doing so.
(winner & photo source to be disclosed next Saturday)

Salvador Dali's present to Gala ( Upd. 400 cars; two mascots)

2012-05-10T23:00:00Z

What's the greatest radiator mascot you've ever seen? During a recent visit to Spain we were confronted with the 1941 Cadillac that Dali gave to his wife Gala. It is in the court of the Theatre Museo Dali in Figueres, the hometown of Dali, just north of Barcelona. The monumental mascot is a later addition as you will understand. From various sources on the web we understand Dali was quite proud on the car about which he said that only five were built. Elaborate information about the more than interesting relation between Dali & Cadillac can be found with our Australian colleagues of Uniquecarsandparts. Yet we wonder what is the exact number built of the 1941 Cadilllac Series 62 four door convertible. Regarding the mascot, you may have guessed, that's a one off.

More Studebaker Signs

2012-05-09T23:00:00Z

Remember the Studebaker Sign Mystery we published a few weeks ago? That old photo prompted Mario José Laguna to do some more research. He writes: "I found an amazing book by Mario Barone on his adventures travelling by "road" from Rio de Janeiro to New York, via Montevideo, Buenos Aires, La Paz, Quito, Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras and Mexico. I had the chance to purchase a second hand copy of the first 1930 edition of the book "Heart and Will Power, Twenty Thousand Miles Across the Three Americas", which, to my big surprise, is a hand signed copy by the author. By reading the book, I learnt that Mr Mario José Barone (not José Mario), made his living demonstrating his Studebaker in public acrobatics, specially doing his "Leap of the Death" exercise. Most likely, the photo in Spain shows Barone's car going to/from one of his "Leap of the Death" shows, hence the written Studebaker sign across the car. Barone was supported by all Studebaker representatives in the countries he visited. The car in the photo might be the very same car in which Barone accomplished his American adventure, as he says in his book that he did it using his three year old car, with 124.000 miles in the odometer! The book provides interesting reading and, although poorly reproduced, includes photos in the difficult situations Barone was involved during his trip."

The Polish Sports Car Mystery (Upd. 1932 BSA FW32 ! )

2012-05-08T23:00:00Z

More than twenty years ago Pieter Beelen found this photo on a Polish flea market and just had to have it. But after all those years he hasn't been able to recognize the make of this little sports car. And neither can we. Is it of Polish origin? But then it's strange that it has Right Hand Drive, although it is parked on the right side of the road. According to Mattie van der Valk, who is an expert in identifying obsolete licence plates, the KM-494 registration is indeed Polish and most probably from the Klaipeda-Memel area. We have made and enlargement of the radiator. Perhaps that will help in identifying this car? Then tell us what you think it is!

Have we spotted the new MGB?

2012-05-07T23:00:00Z

Organizer Bart Kleyn of the Via Flaminia Pre-War Rally faces a slight problem. One of the participants of this rally that will start in about three weeks has had a spot of bad luck en blew the engine of his MG J2. Now he wants to bring his other car, an ultra-modern MGB, to the rally instead of the J2. As the MGB is clearly no pre-war automobile, Bart has a problem. What should he do? Allow the MGB amongst the other participants with their pre-war cars? Or should he be strict and say no! What do you think? Help Bart solve his dilemma and tell us what he should do...