Toppins 1923 Truck?? With Fordson Engine

noncompos · Mar 5, 2011

An ad for the Toppins truck (??) appeared in the 9-15-23 issue of Comm'l Car Journal.
Only desc text reads : "Affords use of Fordson when needed-or of 2 1/2 Ton truck-and a power plant at all times". Illus shows typical period truck open cab (no top) and chassis, except where drivers seat would be is heavy-looking boxed-in area, apparently some kind of power takeoff rig??
Toppins Tractor Truck Co, Milw, Wisc; apparently no other mention or on web, apparently never got into production?? Have pic in email but don't know how to transfer to post.
Registered on Fordson forum but won't get OK to post for few days. Any comments appreciated. Bud

Anonymous-0 · Mar 6, 2011

There was also a prototype Fordson truck built using the Fordson tractor radiator and power unit. They decided to stick with the Model T. I believe that in England, Ford trucks were badged as Fordsons. In the late 40's they began to build a truck that used an engine design that was later adapted for the New Major tractor.

noncompos · Mar 7, 2011

CDMN: Many thxx for reply; I wonder if this"s the same thing...do you remember if that was in the early 20"s, or do you have any idea where info might be available??

Anonymous-0 · Mar 7, 2011

It is described in Leffinwell's book, Ford Farm Tractors. They only built a handful and used them only on Ford property. This was in about 1922. At about the same time, there was a Sampson truck, a company owned by Durant's General Motors. It looked virtually the same as the Fordson truck. There is one at the Dalton, MN museum. There were also Sampson tractors which appear to use the same radiator.

noncompos · Mar 8, 2011

CDMN: Many thxx for reference.
Finally thought to check Mroz's truck book; it mentions 3ton COE prototype under Fordson name in 1920, and a 2Ton (Ford/Fordson?)prototype using Fordson engine in 1922, but only said they didn't go into production.
It does mention, after the 1920 3Ton, that "Fordson dealers assembled a few of their own similar trucks using tractor engines".
Toppins apparently went into some limited production; inquiry on Fordson site got definite replies, one a Canadian model maker making models!!
Again, many thxx for info.

noncompos · Mar 10, 2011

CDMN: Forgot to mention in my 3-08 reply that Billy Durants/GM's rig was the SAMSON tractor (the old Sieve Grip company) and truck; there was a different SAMPSON truck 1905-12 or so, and a SAMPSON car produced in 1911.
Incidentally, SAMSON designed and built a few prototype cars, open sedans with rear seats etc removable to convert to pickup, supposedly only car GM advertised but never produced/sold. (Std Cat Am'cn Cars.

Toppins 1923 Truck?? With Fordson Engine

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