A Market Mystery (update: Armstrong Siddeley, Willys Knight, Opel ? )

The license plate is issued in The Netherlands in the province of Zeeland indeed as Herman van Oldeneel already mentioned. So it is a 'Dutch' car.

K-883

License was issued on 20-5-1914 to Mr. Anthonie Weijns Jr. from Wolphaartsdijk,Zeeland the Netherlands.

The shape of the engine hood and the six stud disc wheels, and the rear end of the chassis suggest Studebaker Big Six around 1922-24. I haven't found a sedan with that door configuration i.e. conventional opening rear doors and the head lights are wrong too.

Mr Marenzi, I am sorry, but I disagree:

Drum-shaped headlamps were quite common in the mid-20s as was the shape of the bonnet of the car in question.

The six-cylinder cars manufactured by Opel in Germany in the late 1920s did have six wheel bolts, however their disc wheels were of a more sophisticated style.

Also, the protective plates beneath the doors had a different shape with Opel cars.

Given the simple apperance of the disc wheels, an American manufacturer is rather unlikely. I assume this is car was made in France.

I think it could be a 1926/27 Opel 15/60 PS six cylinder. Drum headlamps, six bolt Michelin disc wheels,sharp edge along the bonnet, similar pressing on the wings. It seems to be coachbuilt, not a factory body, the mystery car has two very rare details, the door handles and the very rare non suicide rear doors.I did find a few open four seater Opels with similar openning rear doors

If this car is American as assumed below, the very special shape of the bonnet indicates it might be a Willys-Knight. Personal radiator mascots could also be seen on them. Besides the main market in the USA the Willys Overland Company had factories in both London and Manchester, and Weymann bodies were sometimes mounted on them. As left hand drive, perhaps a car built in the US or a car built in England for the Continental market?

Did they make left hand drive Armstrong Siddeley's?

On a closer look on the picture it is clear that this car has a strong american look. The detailed pressing of the wings and the kettle or drum formed headlights makes this a good guess.

In the US the 'Weymann American Body Company' of Indianapolis, USA built Weymann bodies under licence from France, and 'The Budd Wheel Corporation' built pressed steel wheels under licence from Michelin also in France.

The drum headlights are of style that was popular amongst US manufacturers c.1922. The sidelights - not seen on US factory cars of the era - suggest the picture was taken in the UK or a country closely linked to the UK, e.g., Australia, NZ, India, Ceylon, etc. The sharp angle along the bonnet (hood) and the flattish radiator has me thinking of Stanley, Packard Single Six, Essex. The fabric body may well be a Weymann and I'm intrigued by the door handles. Disc wheels were optional on many US makes and certainly available for just about anything as an after-market. The style of the fuel tank would give us some positive clues but try finding pictures!

This seems to be a typical Weymann fabric covered flexible body from the mid 20-ties, most likely fitted on a French or a British chassis, as can be concluded from the matte finish and lack of double curved surfaces.

The body may be an original Charles Weymann body built in Paris or constructed under licence by one of the many companies building them under licence.

The car seem to be fitted with Michelin pressed steel wheels available on many different chassis as an option for wire wheels - heavy but elegant and easier to clean! British chassis, as can be concluded from the matte finish and lack of double curved surfaces.

The body may be an original Charles Weymann body built in Paris or constructed under licence by one of the many companies building them under licence.

The car seem to be fitted with Michelin pressed steel disc wheels available on many different chassis as an option for wire wheels - heavy but elegant and easier to clean!

The single alphabet registration numbers, white on a black background, were used in scores of countries around the world, including almost all the British Commonwealth countries and territories and the Dutch East Indies as well. However, the scene in the picture reflects a typical European scene, going by the headgear of the people. Definitely not a picture taken in Bombay.

Armstrong Siddeley mid 1920's

The "K" series registrations from 1 to 9999 were also issues in Mumbai around 1939, "K" being the last of the single alphabet series. A new Motor Vehicle Act of 1939 ensured that all vehicles were re-registered. Those who have pre 1940 cars with their old documents will find the old number mentioned in the registration document. Ofcourse the background does not show Mumbai err Bombay.

The early vintage Mors had six stud wheels like that, as for the radiator cap it looks like one of the t-bone accessories that were common at the time.

It might be a Nash but they didn't have side lights on the fenders.