22-09-2021, 09:56 PM
The car had been well modified for circus use. As it would be overloaded, especially in the back seat, steel supports had been fitted between the rear floor and the axle, rendering the rear springs redundant. As the car was being used on a flat surface, suspension wasn't necessary. There was also steel bracing in the engine compartment to beef up the radiator and bonnet.
There was an auxiliary fuel tank mounted above the rear nearside wheel arch which served the smoke generator/backfire device that was under the nearside running board, encased in chicken wire. A system of pipework and valves was fitted, the valves being between the front seats and also at the front of the car, presumably so that it could be made to backfire and belch smoke whilst the clown was turning the starting handle. The windscreen wiper was extended and terminated in a white flag. The pipework valves etc all looked WW2 vintage which supported the theory that the car was probably converted just after the war. When I looked at it, the number plates were missing. I believe it now has an age related number.