CROSSLEY VEHICLES TODAY

1929 19.6 engined 6-wheel Hunting Box

(photos - Moin Abbasi)

This 6 wheeled Hunting Box was delivered in 1929 to H.H. The Maharajah of Bahawalpur. It is built on a Crossley six-wheel chassis and uses the 19.6 engine. This chassis was mainly used for military vehicles but two are known to have found civilian use. This is one, the other supplied to King George V with saloon body is not known to survive.

The body here was constructed by Barker & Co. (Coachbuilders) Ltd. and was originally painted in mottled khaki with no plated or bright parts to make the vehicle as camouflaged as possible.

The vehicle was in store for many years before being restored by Mohsins Restorations in Karachi in 2013. It is believed to be the only Crossley in Pakistan.

Original information describes the vehicle as follows:-

"The accommodation inside is particularly generous. An extension of the main frame members of the chassis permitted the fitting of a saloon providing ample sitting space for twelve persons. There are long seats on each side of the interior of the vehicle. Under each seat is a large locker, and on top of each is fitted a mattress 2 feet in width, allowing the seats to be used as beds. There are two small windows on each side of the main body. In addition to the large windows at the sides of the driver's compartment. A large window is also fitted in the back door, and one in the partition dividing the driver's compartment from the passenger accommodation. All the windows are of a special double type, consisting of a glass window and a wire mesh. Behind such special protection the occupants of the saloon may sleep peacefully at night without any fear of the intrusion of snakes or other tropical visitors.

Inside the body at the rear are two cupboards, providing ample wardrobe and food storage spaces. In one of these cupboards there is accommodated a very large battery, to supply the extra lighting system included in the car's equipment. In addition to abundant normal interior and exterior illumination, there are provided no fewer than four special spot lights intended to make night shooting or photography from the car a practicable proposition. A large searchlight is mounted in front of the radiator, two powerful spot lights are on top of the driver's canopy, and there is a similar lamp in the rear door. Each of these lights is on a universal joint mounting, and can be moved by means of Bowden control or levers from the interior of the car. An electric fan is provided.

The body is fitted inside for the conveyance of twelve rifles in racks, from which they can be instantly taken. In order that it may be possible to shoot from the driving compartment of the car the windscreen, which is of un-splinterable glass, is made to lower outwards. Two towing hooks are provided bolted to the rear of the side members of the chassis inside the body. These can be used when the rear door is opened.

The Maharajah of Bahawalpur intends to use this car in connection with the photography of big game in their natural haunts, as well as for hunting. The car carries a wide range of photographic apparatus, as well as a large variety of hunting and personal equipment for the use of the Maharajah and his guests. His order was that the vehicle may be able to penetrate practically to any spot where there is room for it, so steel endless chain track for fitting over the driving bogies are carried. When not in use these tracks are accommodated on the two spare wheel mountings on each side of the bonnet. They can very quickly be fitted to the driving bogies by merely extending them upon the ground."