There were several manufacturers making an odd-bod series of motor vehicles in Australia since the late 1800's, several of whom made differing bodies to suit their niche market of farmers, etc. Because Australia is fairly isolated from the rest of the world, there came a time when it just made sense to begin manufacturing our own motor vehicles. The first man to heed the call was Sydney-based bicycle maker Charles Highland, who released a motorised tricycle in 1894. Two years later, Highlands namesake company dropped a four-wheeled two-seater, which was constructed largely of bike parts and powered by a De Dion-Bouton engine.
Around the same time, two gentlemen by the names of Herbert Thomson and Edward Holmes were making the Phaeton, also known as Australias first steam car. As far as history is concerned, Thomson and Holmes ushered in the arrival of our nations first true cars.
In 1903, the Australian Motoring Association (aka the AMA) was formed to protect the interests of motorists. That was followed by the creation of the Australian Automobile Association (aka the AAA) in 1924. The next year, Ford Australia established its headquarters in Geelong, using an abandoned wool storage warehouse to produce our continents first Model T.
Early/pioneer metal workers/blacksmiths, coach makers would import undercarriages or motors and attach them to hand-made bodies - of sheet steel formed over timber frames.
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The pictured vehicle, appears to belong to a fisherman or such - glass fishing floats hanging in the shed. But the manufacturer may have been a 1920 -1930 US manufactured undercarriage or sedan - made/modified to suit the fisherman's need for a truck.
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An uncle of my Mother was a farmer near Raymond Terrace NSW, who because of tractor shortage modified/used a Rolls Royce chassis and drive train - to manufacture a truck/tractor for farm work - perhaps causing my early love of the marque.
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Possum; AKA:- Ali El-Aziz Mohamed Gundawiathan
Sent from my imperial66 typewriter using carrier pigeon, message sticks and smoke signals.
Essex motor vehicles were either exported as complete cars or locally built from knock-down kits in many countries, making the Essex marque well known internationally as well as domestically. Essex vehicles were locally built in Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
The Essex was a brand of automobile produced by the Essex Motor Company between 1918 and 1922 and by Hudson Motor Company of Detroit, Michigan between 1922 and 1932,
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Possum; AKA:- Ali El-Aziz Mohamed Gundawiathan
Sent from my imperial66 typewriter using carrier pigeon, message sticks and smoke signals.
Looks similar - the 1928 Chevrolet had a longitudinal split windscreen and front fenders (mud guards) had a pressed groove around edges - it also had a brass screw radiator cap with "T" handles and a disc on top.
It may have originally been a '28 Chevy and modifications done by owner/s.
I wanted an "Elliot Ness" Chevrolet - I ended up with a 1932 4 door Sedan round body line.
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Possum; AKA:- Ali El-Aziz Mohamed Gundawiathan
Sent from my imperial66 typewriter using carrier pigeon, message sticks and smoke signals.
Yes my Dad was a Professional Crayfisherman (before PC took over). Was quite a well known brand.
It is all OEM as Dad aquired a second identical one for spares, after the left side of the windscreens was smashed at the local footy game. Had to drive 15 miles to get a replacement, straight off the shelf.
BTW, The Nut is in the background.
-- Edited by Craig1 on Monday 11th of October 2021 01:23:23 PM
Yeh, you have it Chris. Somehow when Dad traded it/sold it they loaded the spares ute onto the "good one" and drove off into the sunset, heading towards Zeehan.
My dad had one done up as a camper for beach fishing north of Nelson Bay NSW.
Kept it at Legge's Camp up Myall rivers way.
This is a 1927 Federal truck.Poor reception here,so photo won't show properly.Tomorrow I will hook up the Celfi Go.Looks completely different from Craig's picture? Cheers
-- Edited by yobarr on Thursday 14th of October 2021 03:27:22 AM
