From Stephen H – I was brought up in a small country in Southern Africa called Lesotho in the 70’s. I now live in Miami. Back then the roads were dominated by old American cars brought in from South Africa – Dodge, Pontiac, Ford and old British cars – Humber, Austin, Land Rovers. My dad had an old Studebaker at one time. I had cause to go back recently almost 40 years later. I was hoping to see some of the old cars survived. Sadly this is a very poor country and every redundant vehicle is broken down with the parts used for roofing, tools, metal containers. There’s very little left.
Now most of the cars are used Japanese imports (this is a rhd country). Most don’t last long because of the complex electronics so relatively new cars lie abandoned all over the place. They are cheap – I saw an 8 year old Mini Cooper exported from the uk to Japan and then shipped to Africa, at 125k kilometers, on a car lot. I asked the guy how much – converting to USD it was just $1,250 and that was negotiable! Choose an old Japanese econobox and they’re even cheaper!
I did spot two old wrecks rusting gracefully at the side of the road. No idea what they were but the white one looks French? Couldn’t find any trace of badges. Thought it might be fun to see if any of you can identify what they are?
So, who’s up for the challenge of identifying this pair? Special thanks to Stephen for sharing these with us! Good luck guys!
One looks like a 1937 Plymouth sedan. The other a Ford Anglia, maybe 1953.
Top one may be a 37 Plymouth.
38
dave–good eye, I think you are right, 38 has same curved front grill as our mystery car. 37 grill is slightly different.
1938 Plymouth with a 1937 rear deck lid.
First one looks to have started life as a ’37 Mopar of some sort
Second one seems to have a lot of Austin A40 in it’s lines – esp the nose area. Likely an English car from late 40’s – possibly a Vauxhall
Second car has very similar steering wheel as 1950 English Ford Prefect
2nd car is an Austin A40 Devon (the 2 door version was known as the Dorset)
Crazydave and Robert A, Looks a lot like the A40. I think you are right. Just that every photo of an A40 I have found has a lower contour extending from the lower front fender to rear fender wheel opening. Maybe I am not finding the right year. Here is one with the curve clearly visible:
http://www.austinworks.com/reg-dev.jpg
Austin A-40
#1 is/was a 38 Plymouth deluxe touring sedan. #2 I would guess is an Austin.
looks like a morris minor
Josh, thanks for sharing this!! Kinda fills in a little known bit of “automobilia” from a different part of the glode! Very interesting.
Here is my ’38 Dodge, virtually identical except for the grill bars and badges.
Speedo–Very Nice. Looks real good in the snow.
Good pic, SPEEDO. How do you post a photo on this site?
The Austin, probably an A40 is pretty self-evident.
1938 Plymouth, no doubt about it.
The second car is clearly an Austin A40, probably a 1949. I own two Devons and a Dorset, so I’m quite sure of what I’m saying. I’d love to have the rear bumper off the car pictured. Any chance the owner could be reached? If anyone knows where I can find the exterior door and quarter panel chrome trim from a Dorset, I’m looking for that too.
I think you guys are correct that the American car is a 1936 or ’37 Plymouth. When I was a kid we had a ’37 Dodge which you all know is identical except for the grill.
The Engish car I’m not so sure of so I’ll leave it up to you.
That second one looks like an A-40 Austin…My Dad owned two of those as a young man, here in Canada.