Odd looking Pheaton - Cabriolet - Pickup - Bus Model A body (original photo)
 

Can anyone shed some light on this odd looking Model A body? It looks like it may have a cargo net over the back half to contain the cargo. :eek:


http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/g...pse7499a5d.jpg

Do you recognize perhaps where the license plate is from (sorry I do not have a clearer shot of the car).

Fordially,
Brad in Maryland

Re: Odd looking Pheaton - Cabriolet - Pickup - Bus Model A body (original photo)
 

I would think from overseas, even though it's rh drive.
Paul in CT

Re: Odd looking Pheaton - Cabriolet - Pickup - Bus Model A body (original photo)
 

My guess is that the body is for Taxi use and has a back door on right side only...probably the folding top went up to second winshield and the driver got only a snap on cover from there to front windshield. At time of picture it has been pressed into service as a moving van...
What city is it from? I see an A and then a blur at beginning of #.

Re: Odd looking Pheaton - Cabriolet - Pickup - Bus Model A body (original photo)
 

Re: Odd looking Pheaton - Cabriolet - Pickup - Bus Model A body (original photo)
 

Looks like a 30/31 Dlx Tudor phaeton that was section between the door and qtr about 24 to 36". Jim

Re: Odd looking Pheaton - Cabriolet - Pickup - Bus Model A body (original photo)
 

lh?

Re: Odd looking Pheaton - Cabriolet - Pickup - Bus Model A body (original photo)
 

This has a very European look about it, It reminds me of photos my father took in Czechoslovakia and Hungary in 1945 as the war was ending. Many of those with a car, access to gasoline, and the wrong kind of politics or economics were fleeing west before the advance of Stalin's army. They did what they could to load and go and cargo netting was a good thing to have. Kind of a European version of "The Grapes of Wrath".

Re: Odd looking Pheaton - Cabriolet - Pickup - Bus Model A body (original photo)
 

I would agree with Ursus. Appears European body that has the back full of luggage covered by webbing for traveling in the War era. Body looks like some done in Denmark & Germany.
There could be arm indicators on the upper cowl, a feature of many Model A's assembled in Germany.

Re: Odd looking Pheaton - Cabriolet - Pickup - Bus Model A body (original photo)
 

Looks like the frame has been extended as well look at the running boards.
I think Bruce is right some sort of taxi made to carry a lot of people .

They may well be on the run !! but woudn't construct such a complicated body for that sole purpose.

John Cochran

Re: Odd looking Pheaton - Cabriolet - Pickup - Bus Model A body (original photo)
 

Both seat backs look extra tall and the front one seems to have a grab rail along the top for someone to hold on to like during a parade. I think Shultz would say, "Very Interesting!"

Re: Odd looking Pheaton - Cabriolet - Pickup - Bus Model A body (original photo)
 

possibly Russian .

Re: Odd looking Pheaton - Cabriolet - Pickup - Bus Model A body (original photo)
 

it appears to be Ap as the first two letters
which is Andhra Pradesh in India
probably some rajas tiger hunting vehicle
tom

Re: Odd looking Pheaton - Cabriolet - Pickup - Bus Model A body (original photo)
 

doesn't it look like the child has a turban on?

Re: Odd looking Pheaton - Cabriolet - Pickup - Bus Model A body (original photo)
 

Don't think it's Soviet. GAZ "A's" radiator shells lacked the central widow's peak at the top.

Sure looks like German bodywork.

Also looks like a standard height open car windshield paired with fixed frames for sliding glass in the front doors. The right door glass seems to be up?

Wonder why the door handle is so low?

Interesting, indeed.

Re: Odd looking Pheaton - Cabriolet - Pickup - Bus Model A body (original photo)
 

It is hard to tell whether the chassis has been stretched or not? Could be, but you usually see something in the valance panel where it is cut.
It is not from India ; they were Canadian RHD's & that car has US bumper clamps & LHD.
There were Russian assembled Model A's that were ex US CKD until the Soviets took over production after the A era & produced variations , the GAZ, with the well known AA radiator plus many other changes. It is possible this vehicle could be one of these, but the Soviets usually produced the normal US body types; unlikely to have been independent body builders in Russia.
The number plate on this unusual A looks very similar to German plates dating from the late '20's & into the '30's.

Re: Odd looking Pheaton - Cabriolet - Pickup - Bus Model A body (original photo)
 

License looks German to me. German plates identify the locale...I've got a list somewhere. Body has features common on circa 1930's taxis...lack of a streetside door is likely a legal thing, which would be a typically German way of stopping happy drunks from stepping out in front of a bus...
The turnsignals like that were used in Germany, but also in lots of other places

Re: Odd looking Pheaton - Cabriolet - Pickup - Bus Model A body (original photo)
 

Germany, farmers helper as it looks like there is a small cow in the back of the car.