Solved - MJW #328 - Jensen chassisless prototype truck 1939

[woodinsight]

First of a few more from me -

Make, year and what was special about it?
One point for the full and complete answer.

[woodinsight]

Moving up

[pguillem]

Some one seems to be lying on this truck.  General de Gaulles's hearse ?

[woodinsight]

 

I didn't notice that!
By the way it's not French

[barrett]

Why do I get the impression that pguillem knows exactly what this is.... 

[pguillem]

Why do I get the impression that pguillem knows exactly what this is.... 

That's not always true, alas !

[pguillem]

I didn't notice that!
By the way it's not French

Does it have something to do with a religious event ?  If Général de Gaule is not there, maybe it is some bishop or cardinal ?
Or do I see Benito Mussolini lying there ?

[woodinsight]

You would be more likely to see Neville Chamberlain there!

[Carnut]

Those look like wartime headlamps.
So is this a military vehicle of some sort?

[woodinsight]

The photo I would guess is taken at the beginning of WWII.
However it's not a military vehicle but a prototype commercial lorry.

[Allemano]

[Carnut]

I believe this is a lorry manufactured by Jensen for the carriage of steel tubes made by the Reynolds family steel tube manufacturing company, which later went on the become T.I. (= Tube Investments), a huge industrial giant that owned vehicle manufacturing and bodybuilding companies themselves.

The first ones were built just pre-war, maybe 1939, which is why the one pictured is in wartime paint with its hooded headlights and white lines painted around the body, which was supposed to help you see it at night when all the lights were out and vehicles weren't allowed to display anything but pin-pricks!

[woodinsight]

I believe this is a lorry manufactured by Jensen for the carriage of steel tubes made by the Reynolds family steel tube manufacturing company, which later went on the become T.I. (= Tube Industries), a huge industrial giant that owned vehicle manufacturing and bodybuilding companies themselves.

The first ones were built just pre-war, maybe 1939, which is why the one pictured is in wartime paint with its hooded headlights and white lines painted around the body, which was supposed to help you see it at night when all the lights were out and vehicles weren't allowed to display anything but pin-pricks!

That's the beast - thanks for the full answer.
Another point winging its' way to you.

Unretouched image -