1939 Vauxhall

[Lang]

I have just scored an almost fully mechanically restored 1939 6 cylinder Vauxhall. These little English cars are not really my passion but I thought it would be nice to do it up as one of the seemingly endless number of similar vehicles of all makes used by the British during WW2.

I know Tillys had many camouflage variations. I would like to do the Vauxhall in fancy dress as well. As it is black already I thought this pattern would be quick and easy.

Any comments welcome.

[Lang]

It looks like the previous owner was trying to do this colour scheme. What is that all about?

[Mike K]

Looks llke a 'danger UXB' car.

The British bomb disposal vehicles were finished with the red front wings.

Nerves of steel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POGiTmtyGIs

[Neil Ashley]

Does it have any military data plates on?

[Lang]

No it is Australian built by GMH. They still had the separate chassis like the previous model whereas the English version went to monocoque construction. You can not tell easily without looking underneath.

Unlikely to be used by the military but who knows with thousands of newer or low mileage private vehicles taken over early in the war before they got the preferred bigger American style staff cars in large enough quantities.

Many of these early odd-bods were returned to their owners or allocated to essential services starting not long after they were taken. Lots of photos of YMCA, Red Cross. Salvation Army and Local Government using variations of these little cars.

I am not claiming that history for this car just making a representation of an English vehicle so all the experts are 14,000 miles away unable to harass me at a show in Australia. I just lost a set of WW2 photos of these 6 cylinder Vauxhalls in UK service - trying to source them again. They all look to be black or plain green with one photo RAF, were they blue, hard to tell with b&w photos.

[Mike K]

This scene could be in Greece , but the date is a little late.

Doesn't look like a 36 Ford to me. A Australian staff car.

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1128053

This is a 36 Ford appears to be LHD. Salvos with AIF number

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1128016

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1128013

French car

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C2123418