Tudor variant

[johnbuckley]

Anyone come across one of these before?. It is a 1928/29 LHD Tudor ( with small bore engine). We have been told documentation exists stating that some Fordors came out of the French factory like this. Anyone got any info?

[1931 flamingo]

No idea, but certainly looks "neat". Could it be an after market body??
Paul in CT

[Oldbluoval]

I’m watching for something authoritative
But I’d “guess” it’s homemade

[McMimmcs]

Originally Posted by johnbuckley

Anyone come across one of these before?. It is a 1928/29 LHD Tudor ( with small bore engine). We have been told documentation exists stating that some Fordors came out of the French factory like this. Anyone got any info?

Was it an individual or a professional that told you documentation existed. On the surface it looks very homemade.

[johnbuckley]

Originally Posted by McMimmcs

Was it an individual or a professional that told you documentation existed. On the surface it looks very homemade.

Info was from Ford Amical France Club.
The photo perhaps does not do it justice. On examnination of the vehicle the standard of work indicates work by a professional, but whether at the Asnieres factory, a contemporary coach builder from new, or a later mod by a coach builder we just don't know.

[katy]

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I may be wrong but it seems to me that some of the US or Canadian sedan deliveries had doors like that. Anyone?

[Oldbluoval]

I’ve been around model a’s 60 years and that all new to me
But sure could be....something new everyday!!

[Tudortomnz]

I have seen pics of French V8 60 sedan [Model 62?] produced with rear door like that, version of Dagenham model. I would try & contact a big Euro Model A group eg. Denmark & see if they know of any. Model A's move around a lot between countries.
Ford Germany did some Tudors with door same as Deluxe Delivery [ single, side opening but hinged for RHD, not LHD !]. Cheers.

[Brad in Germany]

That horizontal split rear door on the Ford Model A was available in France either through the local Ford dealer or from a custom commercial body manufacturer.

Here is a photo from the Ford catalog (France) from December 1930 for example:




Those custom commercial bodies were most likely supplied to Ford by an independent custom body manufacturer .....most likely from Kelsch. Here, for example, is a copy of the era Kelsch flier showing that option available in either a Fordor or a Tudor version:


....and an original magazine advertisement for Kelsch custom commercial bodies that appeared in Le Fordiste magazine from 1930:


There were several other custom body manufacturers who also offered a similar custom commercial body, like these offered by Paris-Tracteur for example (from era Le Fordiste magazines):








....or this good looking Fordor version offered by Gaston Grummer & Cie (era sales flier):


But upon close examination of the photo John posted originally, based on the construction of the rear lower door, I would guess that the body of the one in the original photo is a "La Chatelaine", made by Carde & Fils. Here is an original sales flier showing that custom commercial body on a Tudor (note the two stiffeners in the center of the lower rear door):


Hope that answers some of the questions surrounding that custom commercial body on a Model A chassis from France.

Brad in Maryland (U.S.A.)

[johnbuckley]

Brilliant! Thank you Brad.

[Oldbluoval]

Wow!
That’s about as authoritative answer as one can expect....and more!

[HHR&R]

@Brad in Maryland
Thanks to JohnBuckley I'm unearthing this post, I wanted to send a PM but I have insufficient privilege.
I was wondering if you had a better resolution of that Paris Tracteur brochure?
I don't know if you've seen the post I did on the AF delivery I bought earlier this year to which I'm not allowed to post a link.
It looks extremely similar to the one in the brochure except that mine is a 3 door.
I'm tring to find out who was the coachbuilder of mine and the Paris Tracteur brochure is the most promissing.

[hmopthra]

That really is the most authoritative response that one could possibly hope for...and even more!