Solved - MJW #1190 - Ford V8 "Elephant Car" by Gillig 1938

Started by woodinsight, March 09, 2014, 05:45:20 PM

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woodinsight

March 09, 2014, 05:45:20 PM
What is this vehicle, what was it used for, what was it based on and when was it built?

woodinsight

#1
March 17, 2014, 03:28:45 PM
Can an Expert solve this one?

AlexFrance

#2
March 17, 2014, 07:00:26 PM
Let's start with the obvious: it must be a promotional car from a circus, probably to show around some animals?

As for the car: is it French?

woodinsight

#3
March 18, 2014, 02:55:45 AM
Quote from: AlexFrance on March 17, 2014, 07:00:26 PM
Let's start with the obvious: it must be a promotional car from a circus, probably to show around some animals?

As for the car: is it French?
No, it's not French and it's purpose is not as a circus promotional vehicle.
A small clue - the manner in the way it operates could be likened to a particular animal........ ;)

AlexFrance

#4
March 18, 2014, 10:25:55 AM
Well, what comes to mind in terms of animals is: elephant?  :)

woodinsight

#5
March 18, 2014, 03:35:23 PM
Quote from: AlexFrance on March 18, 2014, 10:25:55 AM
Well, what comes to mind in terms of animals is: elephant?  :)
YES! That's right........
However, having established the 'animal' connection can you carry it forwards?
As a clue I can add it is not European.....

AlexFrance

#6
March 18, 2014, 05:32:03 PM
So, was an elephant used to drive that car? And is it from India?

D-type

#7
March 18, 2014, 06:36:37 PM
Well, an elephant has 4 legs, so is the puzzle car 4-wheel drive?
Duncan Rollo

The more you learn, the more you realise how little you know.

woodinsight

#8
March 20, 2014, 01:54:14 AM
No it's not Indian or 4WD......

It's what you can see to the rear of the vehicle is what I meant by the way it could be likened to an elephant.

AlexFrance

#9
March 20, 2014, 07:15:04 AM
Quote from: woodinsight on March 20, 2014, 01:54:14 AM
No it's not Indian or 4WD......

It's what you can see to the rear of the vehicle is what I meant by the way it could be likened to an elephant.

That's one of the first thing I noticed and which led me to believe it was connected to a circus!  :)

All right, so I guess the rear part was used to move and show an elephant around? So any connection with a zoo maybe?

woodinsight

#10
March 21, 2014, 12:49:38 AM
Quote from: AlexFrance on March 20, 2014, 07:15:04 AM
Quote from: woodinsight on March 20, 2014, 01:54:14 AM
No it's not Indian or 4WD......

It's what you can see to the rear of the vehicle is what I meant by the way it could be likened to an elephant.

That's one of the first thing I noticed and which led me to believe it was connected to a circus!  :)

All right, so I guess the rear part was used to move and show an elephant around? So any connection with a zoo maybe?
Not connected to a circus Alex but was used in connection with an event.

One further clue - it's nickname included the word 'Elephant' for obvious reasons...... ;)

D-type

#11
March 21, 2014, 03:45:25 AM
Road train for taking people to or around a zoo?
Duncan Rollo

The more you learn, the more you realise how little you know.

woodinsight

#12
March 21, 2014, 04:00:16 AM
Quote from: D-type on March 21, 2014, 03:45:25 AM
Road train for taking people to or around a zoo?
Yes, it's a 'road train' of the powered vehicle and several trailers - hence the term 'elephant' referring to the manner of several elephants link their trunks and tails whilst walking in line.

That's the only animal link though - neither circus or zoo.......

Pinpointing the country may help

AlexFrance

#13
March 21, 2014, 04:09:52 PM
All-right, so it was the other way around!  ;D

Finally I was able to spot it: it was called the "Elephant Trains" and was used to transport people around Treasure Island at the 1939-40 Golden Gate International Exposition.

It was built by a US coach-builder named Gillig Brothers over a late '30s Ford V-8 chassis.

woodinsight

#14
March 21, 2014, 04:24:44 PM
Spot on Alex!
Well found and another point for you..... :)

Here's a view of the vehicle and trailers -

Bill Murray

#16
March 21, 2014, 05:16:18 PM
My sincere compliments as well, Alex.

I spent about three hours on this puzzle, convinced it had something to do with a Funeral Procession in South Asia or Africa or any country where elephants were more or less "revered".

I never considered the US, particularly as the towing vehicle had very small wheels and a very small frontal area looking more like a European car.

Especially bad on my part as I did a lot of work with Gillig when I was employed by SAAB-Scania USA and Scania started looking into exporting bus chassis to the US and they were a candidate for building the bodies.  I was not interested in the history of
busses at the time so did not spend any time looking at their historical archives, which they offered.  As my responsibility was Spare Parts, I was only interested in their service level for replacement parts and their warranty policy.

One of my many "lost opportunities" during my thirty year automotive career. Too many times I did not see the forest for the trees as my interests did not match my opportunities.

Good job Alex..........

Bill
Cheers
Bill
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