Chasing the provenance of a vehicle that has been in the family for many years, the body is by James Flood of City Road South Melbourne while the chassis is a 1912 Hotchkiss sedan.

While researching both the body work and the car I have noted many references to James Flood in the early 1900’s and have noted them here for later recall. As usual the body of work at Trove is of immense help.

This article also provided some additional information and a reminder that I should read at least the first James Flood Book of Early Motoring to help flesh out my timeline.

This is the earliest advertisement I could locate for the business in 1909. It was apparently established in 1908, given that the Early Motoring book was issued for the 60th anniversary of the company in 1968.

Later in 1909 this advertisement appears which claimed 10 years experience and that experience was in Essex England where James’ family were coachbuilders.

In 1911 they were located in City Road. There are various advertisements and articles but none provide street numbers.

Motoring incident in St.Kilda at an oyster saloon !

Apparently James Flood was a very generous man as evidenced in this article.

In this article James Flood was a witness in a court case in September 1911.

By 1915 the James Flood Motor Body Works was based in St. Kilda Road south of Coventry Street.

In January 1919 the adjacent Hoadleys Chocolate factory was burnt to the ground with damage to cars in the building or yard of Flood’s premises.

In summary, it appears the business of James Flood Motor Body Works was initially located in West Melbourne, and then moved to City Road, and then to St.Kilda Road, and later to West Footscray.

My purpose with this is not the history of the business, but just to confirm that the footplates in the body of the Hotchkiss vehicle are accurate and consistent with the time-frame of the coach building. Circa 1912 Hotchkiss chassis and circa 1912 Floods’ were in City Road South Melbourne.

I have an interest in Hotchkiss motor vehicles from the period 1900 to 1920(ish).

This is only my first post on this topic but if you are reading this and have any information on Hotchkiss motor cars imported from the UK or the USA to Australia in the early 1900’s, I would be grateful if you would contact me.

Thanks.