Identifying an American car in The Netherlands

A neatly dressed gentleman and his stylish PreWarCar, which we believe to be American. We received this photograph from Mr van den Assem. He has already done some research on the picture and made things a little easier for us.

We now know that the registration number P 26973 was issued in March 1936 to a Mr Johannes Baptista Ludovicus Cornelis Marinus, who was also known as Jan. At the time he lived in the Raashuisstraat 1 in Heerlen, the Netherlands. He worked for an oil company and was well-off. In August 1936, Jan Marinus left for the Dutch East Indies but unfortunately passed away in a Japanese internment camp on Bangka Island in July 1944.

A mournful story to this picture. The only information that we have is about the gentleman. But what about the motor car? Can anyone cast more light on this story and tell us which car make and model this is?

Publié:

lundi février 15th, 2021

Vincent van der Vinne

16 Février 2021, 06:22

The mystery car seems to be a 1929/ 1930 LaSalle Convertible with a body by Dutch coachbuilder Schutter & Van Bakel. Attachted an advertisement of a similar body, on a 1930 Packard Series 7.

John Mereness

16 Février 2021, 04:14

Hello, Given the owner's name, we probably can find them to have been of very distant relation. This is a true odd duck (and quite stunning too). The fenders are LaSalle and the hood doors suggest 1931 (that said, it is not a standard 1931 hood given belt molding and ...), so my guess is that it is 1930. The wheels are factory optional Budd disks and were more available 1929-1930, with some very limited 1928 and 1931 application. Also, a 1931 LaSalle would have come standard with a Stone Guard over radiator (probably a feature most would not delete for the time period), the parking lamps may be LaSalle though the headlamps are not LaSalle, plus the horn is not LaSalle/Cadillac either. The coachwork is Custom and definitely European and the front bumper definitely of European manufacture too. They paid extra for a "painted" frame.

David GREEN

15 Février 2021, 13:21

I started off thinking that Peter Ransom had to be right, but careful comparison of the headlamp mounting on car P-26973 with the La Salle suggests they are the same. Three bonnet louvres plus ridged mudguards as well.

Michael Schlenger

15 Février 2021, 08:33

My best guess is Cadillac or LaSalle. The ports (doors) in the engine hood were introduced in 1931. The disc wheels appear to be unusual with these models. Attached is a photo from my collection showing a 1931 LaSalle.

Martin Flanagan

15 Février 2021, 01:04

The car appears to be a 1929 Lasalle that was produced by the Cadillac division of General Motors. This car is equiped with Balcrank tubular bumpers that were an after market accessory , and factory installed on Willys Knights in the mid to late 20's .

Peter Ransom

15 Février 2021, 00:49

Circa 1932 Stutz convertible coupe with custom European coachwork.

Identifying an American car in The Netherlands

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