The South Australian & Broken Hill Ford distributors were Duncan & Fraser in Franklin Street, Adelaide. When James Snr. died in 1908 his oldest son James Newell Duncan became Managing Director. James Newell had suffered a bicycle accident in 1897 and was pinned under a tram. As a result of the accident had limited lower movement and walked with leg frames and sticks for the rest of his life.
In 1913 he commissioned a specially design coachwork on a Ford. The rear was raised higher and with no driver's side back door so he could not fall out. It also had a "One Man" hood. It was painted light khaki green with a dark green band around the top of the coachwork. What made it more stunning was the all brass had been nickel plated. Even the lights were painted green and nickel plated. Below are 2 photos from the Duncan Family albums. James Newell Duncan can be seen in the rear seat.
A few weeks ago Anthony Bennett put me onto a lead in a book titled “The Paddocks Beneath A History Of Burnside From The Beginning” by Elizabeth Warburton. On page 131 is a photo of the Duncan & Fraser bodied Ford. I thought it was Christmas. I had never seen this photo before and it was the James Newell car. I was told by the Duncan Family it was sold in 1915. The photo in this book clearly shows the new owners, Mr. J.O Thiele, shop owner of Hahndorf. This Ford replaced his old 1912 model. In this photo are the Heysen family of Hahndorf. Indeed, renowned Adelaide artist Hans Heysen, later Sir Hans Heysen, can been in the far left of the back seat in the photo. This photo is so clear we can see the lining on the body, the double lining around the cowl, the ⅜” thick dark green stripe on the felloes with a big dot on the head of each hub bolt. Simply fabulous.
Thank you to Anthony for giving the lead and filling in another small piece of the enormous Duncan & Fraser jigsaw puzzle.
David,
Congratulations on the "new puzzle piece!" I know it may also give you some new clues on Elizabeth Warburton the author may have additional information or leads on where to possibly find additional information. And the local historical society may have additional information etc.
For those who have not seen David’s web site on Duncan & Fraser Limited, please see: http://www.duncanandfraser.com/ And David, I would recommend you add a link to your web site on your MTFCA profile page.
Again, I know you are very happy at discovering the photo!
Respectfully submitted,
Hap l9l5 cutoff
G'day David,
That is great news. It is always good to find new information on subjects that we are passionate about. Good discovery by Anthony.!!
Best regards, John
I forgot to mention that Mr. J.O. Thiele was the Hahndorf agent for Duncan & Fraser. In May of 1912 Johannes took 3 photos of his family, the new Ford, his shop & the new agency. These are a great find. I have attached these lovely photos below.
Photo B16968 courtesy of the State Library of South Australia.
The Ford was registered #2223 in May 1912. Photo B16975 courtesy of the State Library of South Australia.
Photo B16985 courtesy of the State Library of South Australia.
Hahdorf today...
Good find, the last photo also puts a new light on an old myth about Bonds. The term of 'WAR LOAN BONDS" was never heard of or used in Australia in WW1,
They were called only 'TREASURY BONDS' or 'WAR SAVINGS CERTIFICATES'
Old photo's can tell a thousand story's!!
David -- While reading through your first post, I thought it was going to end with your having found the car and buying it! Oh well, I guess that would be too good to be true. Congratulations anyway on finding out more information about the car. It is a unique piece of Ford history. (Keep looking for it!)
I wish I had found it too!!!
The Heysen family are South Australian famous and still very active in the Hahndorf area. Hans' house studio called "The Cedars" is open to the public. I think it is time for a visit and see what other records they might have. Incidentally, Hans built his own caravan and towed it with a model 'A' to water colour paint his beloved Flinders Ranges. See the photo of the original combination.
Here is a image of "Summer" by Hans Heysen painted in 1909. The original work is proudly held and on display at the Art Gallery of South Australia.
Also time to track down the descendants of Johannes Thiele and see what they may have locked away in their family photo albums!