Please help identify this car

[nickwise]

This is a photo of my grandfather taken in the 1930s in Esfahan, Iran. Could someone please help identify the vehicle, that would be really helpful. Many thanks in advance.

 

[TR3driver]

I can't identify it, but this might help others who can

 

[NutmegCT]

The car looks much older than the 1930s, so I'm thinking 1920 or earlier. Iran (Persia) had been occupied by Britain, Ottoman Turkey, and Russia during WW1, so that car may have been British; can't quite tell, but is it right hand drive? Actually, the uniforms look Ottoman - so photo might date before 1920?

hmmm - 1920 British Crossley?

 

[Basil]

Does look like RHD.

 

[Basil]

I am "pretty sure" it is a 1920-ish Willys Overland.

 

[NutmegCT]

I am "pretty sure" it is a 1920-ish Willys Overland.

View attachment 41113

Wow - that is *close*. A few differences: door sizes, vents on the bonnet sides, radiator head. Also, the Willys fenders have curved down sides, but the Iran photo car's fenders seem almost flat.

 

[nickwise]

Thank you all so much for your input. Just found out some more tidbits of info on the passengers. The man in the back is Reza Shah Pahlavi (Iran's Shah from 1925 until 1941) and the driver (my grandfather) was the first person in Iran to have a driver's license.

 

[Basil]

Wow - that is *close*. A few differences: door sizes, vents on the bonnet sides, radiator head. Also, the Willys fenders have curved down sides, but the Iran photo car's fenders seem almost flat.

I think it may be slightly different model or year, but there are enough similarities in dimension, fenders, convertible top location, etc., that if I were a betting man I'd say there's a good bet it's a Willys Overland. Not 100% sure, but 89% at least.

 

[Basil]

Another possibility - 1920-ish Vauxhall

 

[NutmegCT]

Thank you all so much for your input. Just found out some more tidbits of info on the passengers. The man in the back is Reza Shah Pahlavi (Iran's Shah from 1925 until 1941) and the driver (my grandfather) was the first person in Iran to have a driver's license.

Was your grandfather Seifollah Khan? first Persian with a driver's license? (1929)

Take a look:

https://www.farhadkashani.com/index...-25/192-the-history-of-cars-in-iran-1391-7-23

 

[NutmegCT]

interesting - same photo!

https://www.iroon.com/irtn/photo/3194/

 

[Basil]

A Ford? I'd have never guessed that!

 

[waltesefalcon]

I don't think it is a Ford, too many things look a little off. I'm thinking more like an early Chevy touring car.

 

[SaxMan]

If the person in the car is the Shah of Iran, the car would likely be something more upscale, like a Rolls Royce. Indeed - the car's grille does bear semblance to a Rolls from era just after World War I.

 

[nickwise]

from another forum:


"The vehicle by the Iranian bridge is a pre- 1917 Model T Ford. The radiator is typical of the 'brass' era Fords. The shape of the steering wheel and the brass gearbox immediately below the wheel, are typical T. The very distinctive T flywheel/transmission housing can be seen below the car, and it is equipped with transverse springs. That all points to a T, however the body is certainly not a factory one for a T, so it could be a locally made special body."

 

[NutmegCT]

Nick - what is "the Iranian bridge"?

Are they sure what they're describing is the same car in the photo posted here?

The car in the photo could certainly have a non-Ford "military" body bolted on - but how do we know the forum you quote is talking about the same car we're talking about?

Thanks.
Tom M.

 

[nickwise]

Nick - what is "the Iranian bridge"?

In the background of the photo is a famous bridge in Isfahan known as Si-o-seh Pol.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Si-o-seh_pol

Are they sure what they're describing is the same car in the photo posted here? ... how do we know the forum you quote is talking about the same car we're talking about?

The admin from oldclassic.co.uk posted the same photo to the "mystery photo" thread. And that was the response from someone. I only thought it would be of interest to the members here to hear another opinion. I have no idea who is wrong or right. Apologies if I did not make it clear enough here.

 

[NutmegCT]

OK - found it.

https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/for...p=138921&sid=23c1c0f56b7b6c537cca5f53bcc80497

Interesting that the post refers to having received the photo in an email - just a few days ago. That photo sure gets around!

Tom M.

 

[nickwise]

It was me who emailed him the photo a few days ago. I thought "why not spread the net to several forums?" to see what responses I would get. It's been really interesting. I may know next to nothing about classic cars, but I have an engineering degree, so I can appreciate what goes into making them. Thank you all for your input.

 

[NutmegCT]

Thanks Nick. You mentioned it was your grandfather driving, who had the first driver's license. So I wondered in an earlier post, if your grandfather was the same gentleman described on this webpage as having the first Persian (Iranian) driver's license.

https://www.farhadkashani.com/index...-25/192-the-history-of-cars-in-iran-1391-7-23

Tom M.