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Motor Vehicles in Aden
1925-1938
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In 1925 there was a ‘census’ of motor
vehicles currently on the road. The aim was to see what
was the lift capacity in the event of a natural disaster
or military emergency. The figures for 1927 onwards are
as at 1 January of the year in question. The reader will
notice that it differs from the other Table in that it
does not distinguish between taxis and private motor
cars. |
1926 Model T Ford. Nearly 55% of cars in Aden in
1925 were model Ts. |
| |
1925 |
1927 |
1930 |
1931 |
1932 |
1935 |
1936 |
1937 |
1938 |
|
Ford cars |
186 |
158 |
106 |
71 |
95 |
119 |
140 |
160 |
188 |
|
Other cars |
137 |
156 |
237 |
241 |
261 |
228 |
280 |
212 |
233 |
|
2/3 seaters |
16/0 |
29/0 |
25/19 |
19/19 |
30/18 |
41/26
|
104 |
149 |
144 |
|
Buses Ford/other |
62 |
68 |
74 |
66/1 |
65/1 |
43/3 |
56 |
62 |
53 |
|
Lorries and trucks |
26 |
29 |
24
|
16 |
18 |
21 |
20 |
45 |
48 |
|
Willys
Overland 1924 |
In 1925 the Fords were 20 HP
4-seaters; the ‘other cars’ included a noticeable number
of Maxwells, Overlands, 22 HP Chevrolets and 7-9 HP
Citröens. The buses had an average carrying capacity of
16 and the trucks and lorries averaged a load capacity
of 3 tons. There was also one tractor, a 35 HP Fordson
owned by Cowasjee Dinshaw.
From 1930 all the 3-seaters were Austins. |
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1925 Maxwell Four Tourer |
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The diminishing number of Fords
between 1925 and 1931 is interesting. It suggests that
there was a bulk importation of these cars, perhaps
around 1920, and that those remaining on the road were
reaching the end of their useful life. Few vehicles of
any kind were imported during the difficult financial
years of 1929-30. Fords imported from 1932 onwards were
all 30 HP models. |
The Landing Pier at Steamer
Point. Ford Model 'T' on right
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In 1925 Besse
had a selection of vehicles: his firm owned one Royal,
one Chevrolet and four Studebaker cars (none of which
were taxis); seven buses including four Rachet-Schneider
24-seater omnibuses (by far the biggest in Aden at that
time); and six lorries, including three Berliet
4-tonners.
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Jehangir Patel loved his Studebakers - he had two
in succession but for some reason they became
unavailable in Aden and in the 1950's he bought a dark
blue Opel Kapitan.
Cars (taxis?) in the
Maidan Square, opposite the Police Station, Crater
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The only Lagonda in Aden in 1925 was
owned by Bernard Reilly, at the time the Senior
Assistant. Most of the senior government and military
had Maxwells as their personal/official cars. Other than
the four owned by Besse there
was only one other Studebaker in Aden.
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