Could I have some help with these cars please?

Could I have some help with these cars please?

Author
Discussion

MisterNick

Original Poster:

95 posts

28 months

Sunday 4th August
quotequote all
These photos were taken in Afghanistan between 1919 and 1922 by my grandad.
I started off thinking they were the same car, but soon saw they are different.
Cars were very few and far between, due to the lack of road infrastructure, but I have some pictures of two Fords out there that were used as ambulances, but according to my grandads notes the terrain was more suited to the mules, oxen and horses.
Are these Fords of some sort. One is labelled "RSM (Rifleman Sergeant Major) Coopers departure" and the other "Old Motor in Bazaar"
Are they on pneumatic tyres? Is there any relevance to the registration number? Are they the same model and reconfigured for passenger/goods use, and any other information would be helpful

Many thanks




Puddenchucker

4,454 posts

225 months

Sunday 4th August
quotequote all
The top one is, going by the design of the front suspension, a Ford Model T of some sort:


MisterNick

Original Poster:

95 posts

28 months

Tuesday 6th August
quotequote all
Thanks for your response. Sorry not to reply earlier, but I was trying to find another photo that I posted on another thread.

When you say "of some sort" do you mean some sort of Model T, or some sort Ford Model with a different letter suffix?

Any thoughts on the second one?

I posted this in another thread earlier this year. It was taken in the UK probably late twenties / very early thirties. i think it's in Hampshire. Again looking at the front of it, it looks like the Model T front in the picture.

Any further thoughts / observations / information would be very welcomed

Many thanks



aeropilot

36,580 posts

234 months

Tuesday 6th August
quotequote all
MisterNick said:
One is labelled "RSM (Rifleman Sergeant Major) Coopers departure" and the other "Old Motor in Bazaar"
RSM is Regimental Sergeant Major, the senior Warrant Officer rank in the regiment, so hence the 'official' ceremony.

MisterNick

Original Poster:

95 posts

28 months

Tuesday 6th August
quotequote all
Thanks for that information, i will look into that as I'm not that well up on the hierarchy. Also Cooper is not an uncommon name. This was post WW1. Thanks for replying

Missy Charm

912 posts

35 months

Thursday 8th August
quotequote all
MisterNick said:
Thanks for your response. Sorry not to reply earlier, but I was trying to find another photo that I posted on another thread.

When you say "of some sort" do you mean some sort of Model T, or some sort Ford Model with a different letter suffix?

Any thoughts on the second one?

I posted this in another thread earlier this year. It was taken in the UK probably late twenties / very early thirties. i think it's in Hampshire. Again looking at the front of it, it looks like the Model T front in the picture.

Any further thoughts / observations / information would be very welcomed

Many thanks

The van is on a Morris chassis, by the look of it. Giveaway is the 'bullnose' radiator grille. The coachwork is unorthodox, more than likely made-to-order or one off - it was common in those days.

MisterNick

Original Poster:

95 posts

28 months

Tuesday 13th August
quotequote all
Missy Charm said:
The van is on a Morris chassis, by the look of it. Giveaway is the 'bullnose' radiator grille. The coachwork is unorthodox, more than likely made-to-order or one off - it was common in those days.
Thanks for taking the time to respond.
I see what you mean by the rounded radiator grill. everything is in the detail.

Once again many thanks

some bloke

1,202 posts

74 months

Tuesday 13th August
quotequote all
Regarding the top photo, Ford swapped to a steel radiator surround about 1917 or so, so the car must be after that.
I think the 2nd photo is a different make but I'm not sure what. You could try posting it on r/whatisthiscar on Reddit.

MisterNick

Original Poster:

95 posts

28 months

Tuesday 13th August
quotequote all
some bloke said:
Regarding the top photo, Ford swapped to a steel radiator surround about 1917 or so, so the car must be after that.
I think the 2nd photo is a different make but I'm not sure what. You could try posting it on r/whatisthiscar on Reddit.
Many thanks. He didn't go out there until 1919 so fits.

Interesting that you think the other car is different. I'm not on Reddit, but will have a look

Does anybody have any thoughts on the second car. Also can anything be gleaned from the number plate. I will see if I can get more info on it

Edited by MisterNick on Tuesday 13th August 18:47

some bloke

1,202 posts

74 months

Wednesday 14th August
quotequote all
The second one has a different shaped grill - round shoulders, also it's like a primitive station wagon or woody with it's wooden frame body. The T above has a folding cloth roof. It could be an early chev but some fender/wheel details aren't quite right. The grill looks similar but could be another GM or Chrysler product. Or european...

1922 Chev:

MisterNick

Original Poster:

95 posts

28 months

Saturday 24th August
quotequote all
Many thanks for your reply and I am really sorry for not responding sooner..

As it is not easily identifiable, could it be that it is something cobbled together over several years. I would presume that they did not have a particularly good supply chain of new cars. As I mentioned earlier the picture is taken between 1919 & 1922