1. Ford Model Y 8hp, camping trip.
Seen in the first photograph below is a basic Y-Type Ford 8 saloon of the early 1930s. This particular Ford looks like it was being used
for a camping trip, if all the luggage piled on is anything to go by!
Note the very period looking roofrack, will all manner of goodies
stashed beneath a cover, tied securely to the frame. The open windscreen, and the trees in the background, suggest that this
Ford Model Y was photographed on a hot day, probably in summer. Mounted on the rear luggage rack is a massive storage trunk, which
appears to have been tied to the spare wheel which is bolted to the back of the car. A young lady is perched on the nearside
running board, inspecting her shoe!
The 8hp Ford Y Type was Ford's most affordable car of the 1930s, powered by a diminutive 4 cylinder sidevalve engine of 933cc. Two main versions
were offered during the Ford's production run, the long rad, and short rad, available as either a 2 door (Tudor) or 4 door (Fordor) saloon. A 5cwt van could also be ordered at the local Ford agents.
The 'shortrad' Model Y was produced from 1932-1933 and is the rarest of the Model Y saloons now in preservation. The 'longrad' was produced from 1933 to 1937 and featured some detail differences to the earlier car, primarily a taller radiator grille. I'm not 100% sure which version is shown here, but the shape of the rear wings makes me think that it is probably a 'longrad' - can anyone confirm either way?
2. Ford Model Y with its owner.
Second photograph in this section, shows a chap (is that RAF clothing he's wearing?) leaning jauntily against the side of his Model Y Ford. Again this is a 2 door, or 'Tudor', version of the Y Type. The main body of the car looks to be very well polished, with the lamps and running boards reflected in the bonnet side panels, yet the wings themselves look quite muddy, with a few minor dings visible too.
3. A Model Y parked with a lady stood alongside.
The third picture shows a woman stood next to a Model Y, obviously during the war judging by the blackout covers fitted to the car's headlamps. This photo came in the same batch as the picture shown above, but I do not know if it is the same car shown or not. The car below is registered DPE 691, I wonder what happened to it? The nearside headlamp has the familiar headlamp cover fitted to it, yet the offside has a cover of a type I've not seen before, with a tiny hole letting a tiny beam of light through.
Nowadays, the Model Y is a great way to sample pre-war motoring at an affordable cost, with support from clubs such as the Ford Y & C Register to make the experience a little less daunting. Cars competing at the same level of the new-car market included the Austin 7 & 8, and the original '30s Morris Minor. I had a Model Y briefly, although as you'll see on this page, it was far from a good example!
Return to Classic Motoring Photographs - Page 4.
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