A Facebook friend who is also a license plate collector recently found some old images from the Vatican, and would like to identify the cars in these two enclosed photos. A number of us batted it around on Facebook, but no one came up with any ideas. I suspect that it’s mainly because no one in the group has any knowledge of mid-1930’s European sedans. Also, google image searches aren’t of much help if you don’t have a fairly good idea of what you’re looking for.
Aha! A challenge for Curbside Classic readers, I think. Considering the breadth of experience shown by commenters on this site, I feel certain that someone will be able to identify these mysterious black sedans.
The one in the first pic is rather low-slung as late 1930’s sedans go. Mainly for this reason I suspect that it’s Italian.
The one in the second pic certainly looks like the typical big stuffy late-1930’s sedan. The only problem is that every American sedan from that period has individual styling touches that can be used to identify it. This rig has generic lines, plain round taillights, and only a mysterious emblem on the trunk lid.
Readers, the ball is in your court.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pope-auto_1903_logo.jpg
Most apropos, but also likely wrong. Curses!!
The second one looks American to me, and a Google search makes me guess 1936 Plymouth. Possibly European export models had dual taillights.
http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2009/06/curbside-classics-review-1936-plymouth/
http://encarsglobe.com/photo/im/douglas-600cc-sv-de-luxe-twin-aero/11/
I’m with robadr on the second car being a 36 Plymouth. One or two taillights on cars of that era were often a result of laws of particular areas or just an optional accessory.
First one has me stumped. The shape of the rear window is much like the junior Packards of the 1935-37-ish era, but the roof does not look right.
The crest looks very Packardish to me.
Given thye kind of people who hang out at the Vatican these cars could be coachbuilt customs not regular retail cars
Pio XII had a thing for US cars, these looks very american to my eyes
Well, I’d have to agree that SCV29 is definitely a 1936 Plymouth.
I agree that the second one is a ’36 Plymouth – my ’36 Dodge had the same twin taillights, over-riders and bumper (and sidemount spare). The bumper and over-rider on photo one scream mid-30s Chrysler product too – the downward curving body line says ’37 ChryCo car to me, although they had split rear windows, and I can’t see enough of this one to tell.