Vehicle identity requests

[Maxschnauzer]

Hi, what Kfz version of this Horch staff car? Is there any way to know the difference between all version (to me all look the same)?

Source: http://kavallerie-regiment18.de/aa25.html

Hello Alif,
It looks like a 1940's Kfz. 21 based on the Type 901 cabriolet chassis (like Guderian's shown here):

m_gl_Einh_PKW_Kfz_21_Komandeurskabrio_Guderian.jpg (69.89 KiB) Viewed 1411 times

See http://www.kfzderwehrmacht.de/Homepage_ ... s-pkw.html for a guide to mittlerer geländegängiger Personenkraftwagen Nummern including those manufacturered by Horch.

[spannermann]

Hi,

Definitely not a mEpkw Kfz 21, the Kfz 21 has a fixed curved lower edge windscreen whereas this mEpkw has the standard straight lower edge fold down windscreen, therefore it has the standard "Kubelwagen" body, and you can also see that it has the side mounted spare wheels.

So it is a "Stutzrader", which is the earlier version of the standard mEpkw field car, and this one could have be manufactured by either Horch (Typ Efm 901), Wanderer (Typ Efm 901) or Opel (Typ mPI 901). it is not possible to tell the manufacturer in the photo.

cheers leonard paul

[Maxschnauzer]

Leonard Paul, you got me on that one, I didn't notice the spare wheels this morning (hadn't had my morning cuppa yet) Sorry Alif for throwing you a curveball.

[kerryboo]

Alif, Max and Leonard Paul,
Just out of interest, there were a few pilot models of the Kfz21 which retained the side wheels, but they were a little more "faired in". Photos are not common, but here is one blurred example,
Kerry.

[Maxschnauzer]

Interesting Kerry. As the saying goes "The more I learn the less I know."

[peeved]

Here's another early coachbuilt Kfz. 21 with a nice two tone paint job: http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic. ... 5#p1689775

Markus

[Sean N]

Hi Sean,
... I guess it is unusual to see both types together in German service, sadly the information on the back states that they were both later destroyed in an air-raid.
Best regards,
Kerry.

That's interesting. We should be thankful that so many photographs survive rather than being destroyed as families die out and old albums are thrown on the fire, yet it saddens me that so often family photograph albums are split up for, say, eBay sale and the context of the photographs is lost. It's interesting to see information on the background to the photo as well as the photo itself. Thanks Kerry.

[kerryboo]

Sean,
Even as a collector who loves to add interesting images to my collection, I would much prefer that they would remain in albums and family collections, so that their personal, and historical, context is not lost forever. But, that is, sadly, the nature of the market, we all want photos, but cannot, for the greater part, afford the financial cost or the space needed to collect entire albums, and there are many dealers who can, and do, buy the albums and split them for profit. Sad.
Please, can anybody say what this wreck had been in happier times? The artillery wheels, perhaps, point to 20s/early 30s and with a lightweight or fabric body?
Many thanks,
Kerry.

[kerryboo]

Hello all,
The last one was obviously not possible, but how about the small truck behind the Crossley IGL8, perhaps Belgian?
Thanks,
Kerry.

[Bill Murray]

Hi Kerry:

This one is a bit of a "leap of faith", but I think it is a Belgian FN.

Below are two example photos and the two ID tips are the "Wing" radiator badge and the "bug eye" headlamps. Also the front bumper seems to be similar. As you have learned well, when dealing with these very low volume vehicles, the bodies are rarely the same on the same chassis, being specially built for each individual customer.
Edit: Screwed up the second photo, I will fix it later.
Bill

[Bill Murray]

Here is the other one.
Note also the brow over the top of the radiator on this one, also found on your example.
Bill

[kerryboo]

Thank you Bill. To be honest, it was the bug-eyes that made me think Belgian. I am sure that manufacturers from other countries will have produced similar vehicles, but that style of light does suggest Belgium to me.
Thanks once again,
Kerry.

[kerryboo]

I am reasonably sure that this is a 1936 Chevrolet, but what is the purpose of the curious body? My thinking was along the lines of the police personnel vehicles, but the fact that it is a US truck makes me doubt that idea.
Thank you for looking,
Kerry.

[Bill Murray]

Hi Kerry:

I think you are spot on regarding the vehicle identification.

Such a vehicle would probably not have been available in Germany itself so it must be a beute vehicle from another country.

I have not found such a vehicle yet in my files but I would think possibly Belgian or Dutch as they imported a lot of such vehicles in this time period. I will keep looking.

Bill

[Maxschnauzer]

Another troop transporter from eBay: