7A1 and 7A2 beetlebacks

[aj.lec]

Originally Posted by Bruce Parker

There's a parts list catalogue that shows the differences. Off the top of my head, the big differences are that there is no opening on the top of the 7A1 and there is one on the 7A2 that had a steel tubing frame and canvas cover. The small side windows forward of the body doors were sealed on the 7A1 and swivelled to let air on in the 7A2. Likewise the windshield (if I recall) didn't hinge open on the earlier one as well. Basically the 7A1 had no ventilation so got very warm and the 7A2 was an attempt to fix that.

Ford and Chev are the same as these bodies were supplied by independent companies.

A sheet metal guy could fabricate the back of these if he started with a decent floor. The hard bits would be the bin swivel closures (sourced from Enfield rifle chests) and the cast mounting hardware on the rear deck.

Thanks. Would anyone have a copy or scan of the parts catalog ?