Main data for Ford BB?

[Dénes]

Hi all,

I am looking for the main technical data of the Ford BB.
I checked the net but to my surprise I could not find a site which lists these data.

I want to compile the datasheet for this Ambulance version, used by the Hungarian Army:


Thanks,

Dénes

[Bill Murray]

Bernard:
Google Ford BB Specifications and the third entry will give you most of what you need. I am just leaving for work or would have copied and sent it to you.
Bill

[Dénes]

Hi Bill,

I just spent more than one hour using Google to search for the main specs. The closest I've got was a 1-ton Ford BB crane truck, powered by a V-4 engine, which is not exactly what I'm after.

It appears the Hungarians used the 2-ton V-8 type flatbed truck.

I didn't realize it's so difficult to find the basic info on a popular US truck model...

If you will find the specs., I'd appreciate if you would either post them here, or contact me directly.

Dénes

[Bill Murray]

Denes:
Sorry I read the specs real fast.
I have German data sheets on both the so called light and long BB and I will scan and post them when I get home tonight. I also have some other stuff that might help.
Bill

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by Dénes
I didn't realize it's so difficult to find the basic info on a popular US truck model...

Dénes, is this basic enough? Or too basic?
http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/f...el_IDchart.htm

Regards,
Hanno

[Dénes]

Hello Hanno,

The type sheet I try to compile for ALL vehicles in Hungarian Army service is much more detailed.

Here is what I have so far for the Ford BB truck:


VEHICLE SPECIFICATION

DESCRIPTION: light truck

HISTORY: 216 of the 131-inch-wheelbase and 805 of the 157-inch-wheelbase Ford BB flatbed trucks were manufactured in the USA in 1933. The 4-cylinder engine (V-4) powered version was designated Model C, while the 8-cylinder engine (V-8) powered version was the Model 40. The Hungarian Army bought a number of chassis from Germany in 1941. The local Uhry Bros. company built the bodies as ambulances, special rear loaders and fuel trucks. Additionally, a number of flatbed trucks were also impressed into military use


Vehicle type: light truck, 4 x 2
Manufacturer: Ford Köln (Germany) + Uhry
Manufacturer's designation: Ford BB Model 40
Years of production: 1932-1933
Honvédség designation: 41 M Ford BB 2 tonnás terepjáró
speciális jármü
Number of vehicles imported: 1017 chassis


Total Weight: t
Length: m
Width: 3,988 m (wheelbase)
Height: 1.743 m
Number of seats: 2
Type of body: closed cab
Payload: t
Empty Weight: t

Engine type: Ford V-8, gasoline
Displacement: 3622 cc
Horse power: 75 HP/RPM
Gearbox: 4+1
Driven axles: rear
Maximum speed: km/hour
Fuel consumption: l/100 km
Capacity of the fuel tank: 64.4 l

Note:

Dénes

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Denes...

I wasn't aware that Ford made a V-4 ..I am very familiar with their in line 4 Cylinder models used in their model "T" and "A" trucks and the Model B V-8 but not the V-4..
Could you confirm or is this a misprint...??

The 4-cylinder engine (V-4) powered version was designated Model C,

[Alex Blair (RIP)]

Sorry ,I forgot the scan,..
Here it is..

[Bill Murray]

The BB 4 cyl was an inline sidevalve motor. Ford Germany first came out with a V4 in I think the 60's. SAAB also used that engine.
Bill

[Dénes]

Alex, Ford trucks are not my specialty. I only copied what I found on the net.

Here is a long list of various broshures published by Ford-Werke, Cologne.

One of them is: 'Handbuch BB 4-Zylinder Lastwagen', from 1942:
www.fomcc.de/files/bestand.pdf

Dénes

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally posted by Dénes
Hello Hanno, The type sheet I try to compile for ALL vehicles in Hungarian Army service is much more detailed.

Dénes, that was to be expected. Seems you have come a long way already, though. Sorry I cannot be of more help.

H.

[Bill Murray]

Hi Denes:

The scans did not work yet, but I can comment as follows.

The Ford BB ceased production in the US in 1934. James Wagners book "Ford Trucks Since 1905" indicates that the BB lived on in Europe and Russia for some years as it was more suited to road conditions in those areas.

Your posting indicated that the Hungarian Army purchased 1017 such BB models in 1941 and that may well be true. The latest Typenbuch I have for German vehicles is dated 1938 and both the short and long chassis are represented there although not with the V8 motor option.

To try to fill in some of your blanks:

Total weight long chassis: 3.300 KG
Payload: 2,5 metric tons
Empty weight: 1.720 KG with cab
Max speed: 4 cyl 75 kmh V8 85 kmh
Fuel consumption: 4 cyl 24 l/100 km V8 26l/100 km

As always, I will continue to try to get more information but that is all I can contribute for the moment.
Bill

[Dénes]

Thanks, Bill, for the additional data. All welcome.

However, the weights don't end up. If the empty weight was 1,720 KG and the payload 2,500 kg (confirmed by Hungarian sources), then the total weight should have been 4,220 kg.

Can you check the mentioned German book for the proper model number of the BB truck (V-8 engine, long chassis)? It should start with a 'G'.
What was the manufacturing period at the Cologne Plant?

Does it mention anything about the exports to Hungary?

Thanks,

Dénes

[Bill Murray]

Morning Denes:

I have no definitive answers but will keep going with what I have.

The latest of my Typenbuchs indicates the BB was still in production in Germany as late as 1939. However....neither this edition nor any of the earlier ones indicates a V8 engine version.
At the same time, obviously such versions did exist as you see photos of them once in a while in German and other European countries service. Some appear to be dedicated military trucks, the majority seem to be captured or impressed.

We know that Ford had assembly plants in Holland, Belgium, France (Matford), Spain, Sweden and I think Denmark as well as smaller operations in, for example, Rumania.

Even though production of the BB ended in 1934 in the US, where a V8 was a standard option, it obviously continued for a number of years in Europe. I would imagine it is entirely possible for the US or Canadian Ford plants to have supplied kits for these later BBs that allowed them to be fitted with V8 engines as the engines were still being produced and the rest of the necessary parts would have been in the spare parts supply system.

I will try to find the time to go through my issues of Wheels and Tracks to see if I can find anything further on Fords in Europe. I do remember 4-5 articles on the subject and it may be I find an answer there.

As a side note, your Hungarian truck would seem to have been called a BB-85 in the US. That is the designation for the vehicle with single rear wheels such as seen on your photograph.

I will come back to this later.
Bill

[Bill Murray]

Denes:
Another source says total all up weight is 4370 Kg.
Bill