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Another vintage car surfaces; a 1924 four-cylinder

Started by Old Crock, January 14, 2012, 18:32:14

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Old Crock

Another vintage car, not on the ACOC register, has surfaced. This one, a 1924 four-cylinder. The car, yet again, resides in a museum, this time in South Africa. Here's a couple of shots - the car needing a little care by the looks of it, and the second photo showing some interesting details, not least that it was supplied by T B Adair, an AC agent in the 1920's, in Johannesburg.
   

Old Crock

I notice the car carries an ACOC badge, so interesting it's not on the register. Possibly re-registered since originally joining (though no South African cars shown for the year 1924)...

ACOCArch

A good find. Well spotted!
   
   The photo below, from the ACOC Archive, is of a similar car also in South Africa.
   
   Period adverts point to this being one of AC's more successful markets from the outset through into the 1920s, perhaps because South Africa was part of the then British Empire and shipping connections were good.
   
   

Old Crock

This second car is chassis number 31413, a 1927 four-cylinder that was known relatively recently to be in South Africa (and likely still exists there?)
   
   There are similarities between both cars in the photos, which make me wonder if they are, in reality, the same car? Even though the museum show 1924 for their car, and for the second the ACOC show 1927 (and this is correct).
   
   For example, both show the same-type wire wheels, not discs, and both have unusual bolt-on side windows, which move and probably extend also. Also strange, having the spare wheel on the left front wing, not right, (the first car shows no wheel-well on the right wing). It would be most unusual for a 1924 four-cylinder to have front-wheel brakes, unless fitted at a later date (though some wire-wheels did have fake 'drums'). So, some coincidental similarities?
   
   In some countries the registration number is changed when re-taxing/licencing the vehicle, which I think happens in South Africa (the recent 1928 2-door saloon that was for sale now sports a different S.A. number plate to a few years back).
   
   If the photos above are the same car then it would seem to have unfortunately deteriorated.
   
   PS Notice lack of tyre tread on TJ 121920!

jbottini

one man's deterioration is another man's petina. who knows what lurks under all the dust, if same car, she's at least been given new shoes.