Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Ray White]

Can someone identify the 1929 American car used as a Taxi in the programme?

http://www.itv.com/presscentre/ep1week14/durrells

[Bitumen Boy]

In the books it was a Dodge, IIRC - but they've taken so many liberties so far it could be anything

[Ray White]

The only part that looks Dodge is the headlamp bar. The rad cowl and emblem, side lights, bonnet louvres and instrument cluster all look wrong for Dodge. The right hand drive shows it to be an export model.

[peter scott]

Perhaps a Studebaker?

http://lord-k.livejournal.com/697889.html?thread=8399393

Sorry, not clever enough to present the image.

Peter[/img]
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http://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

[Ray White]

https://sites.google.com/site/identifyinginstrumentpanels/home/clusters-0

If you select the 1920's instrument clusters it looks to me like Marmon (1928 -'31) is the most likely. Although it would be a straight eight, I am pretty sure it is earlier than the famous "Roosevelt" model which has a more distinct radiator shell and had horizontal rather than vertical louvres. RHD (export) cars may have been fitted with local coachwork.

[roverdriver]

I don't think it is a Marmon. Wrong radiator shape.
I first thought of Dort, but that is wrong too. The nearest that I can come up with is an Essex, but although the radiator has the same multiple uprights as the later Essex models, the radiator in the film looks a bit to narrow.

https://www.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.virtualparking.net%2Fimgdir%2F915-530.jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.virtualparking.net%2Fvehicle-188-1928_essex_super_six.htm&docid=T7ERO5jUIpvlxM&tbnid=pxKjzCcqio2oeM%3A&w=530&h=398&bih=628&biw=1360&ved=0ahUKEwjpvLCkqs_MAhXIhaYKHRiBBgk4yAEQMwgkKCEwIQ&iact=mrc&uact=8
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Dane- roverdriver but not a Viking.

[Ray White]

I now have it on good authority that it is a 1929 Oldsmobile.


http://forums.aaca.org/uploads/monthly_2016_05/5732034d53f42_1929Oldsmobilefront.jpg.ba34aacf1ce86362ad73bc38a6e80244.jpg

[roverdriver]

Thanks Ray. It has been a source of puzzlement for me, and I can't think why I had not thought of an Olds. I'll sleep more soundly now.
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Dane- roverdriver but not a Viking.

[Ray White]

It certainly had me puzzled. In the end I asked for help on the AACA forum. An 'old car' guy who, like me, contributes to the Dodge Brothers forum (he has a '31 Dodge) came to my rescue.

He also pointed out that the '29 model is very similar to the '30 offering; the only obvious difference between them is the earlier car has the "pen nib" swage line on the bonnet top and scuttle. I had only seen this feature before on the Austin Swallow bonnet - I wonder if any other cars have it?

[nickjaxe]

So has it been confirmed...its an olds?

New series started tonight.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbBlfYO46mI

My other hobby.

[Ray White]

If the car in the new series is the same as before then, yes, it is a 1929 Oldsmobile.

Incidentally, if you see a T type MG midget it is just a "bits a" car.

[nickjaxe]

There was a red MG in tonight's prog....lovely to see the cars.

Thank you for the id on the Oldsmobile.

Nick.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbBlfYO46mI

My other hobby.

[Ray White]

I enclose a post in a MMM register forum which is most enlightening. I hope he has no objection.





Peter Seager-Thomas
United Kingdom
13 Posts

Posted - 16/05/2017 : 09:42:05 Show Profile
"CSU 421 was built up from a bare chassis and axle in the mid/late 1980's by a friend of mine.

I think the engine, gearbox and rear axle came from a 1098 Mk II Midget, the total cost being rathe less than a secondhand P Type head. The rear axle was of course too wide, so had an inch or so taken off the ends. Thus the 7" drums at the rear. The front axle was P Type but with TA/B/C brakes fitted, hence the 9" drums at the front! The wheels were oddities from Mike Dowley in that they were 19" centre laced, but with flanged rather than rolled edges.
The radiator shell was P Type but housed what I think was an Austin 1800 radiator.
The body tub came from Mike Dowley, I think all the other panels were by courtesy of jumbles. The speedo/tacho was home-made, the flyscreens were also home made, being built up from brass channel.
With two small daughters to carry around, the area behind the seats was fully upholstered.

This car, despite its lack of provenance, always seemed to crop up in photo shots, and it looks like that trend will continue!

Peter."

[Rootes75]

Whatever it is I wouldn't mind driving it!!
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Various Rootes Vehicles.