The Ford Model BB was a car-based truck made by Ford which was produced from 1932 until the outbreak of the Second World War.
General[]
The Ford Model BB was a truck made in the U.S., It was very similar to the Ford Model AA (1930-1931) but a few minor modifications had been made. The Model BB had modified front suspension and a more powerful engine. The truck had a water-cooled 3.3 litre 4-cylinder petrol engine which produced 50 bhp (later 52bhp) and reached an average consumption of 24 litres per gallon. The Ford Model BB could reach a maximum speed of 75 km/h.
German production[]
The Ford Model BB was produced at the German Ford Motor Company Ltd plant in Cologne Niehl between 1932 and 1939. Until 1935, the plant only produced parts which were installed elsewhere, then the vehicle was completely produced there, with both flatbed and box bodies. The Model BB had a payload of 1.75 tons and came with a short wheelbase (3,340 mm) or the BB-long which had a 2.5 ton payload and a wheelbase of (3,990 mm). The longer Model BB also had reinforced suspension, vacuum brake booster and reduction gear.
A noticeable difference between the German and other models was the consistent front windshield. Meanwhile, the low-cost Ford BB was also exported from Germany to the UK, as many British customers continued to place orders for the BB.