Desert water bag

In case any of youse get hot and bothered to find one, they are still being made however the graphics are generally not as nice as the old ones.
 
Here is a picture of one which we were presented with at the 21st Australian National Model A Meet in 2010 which was held at Launceston Tasmania. The desert bag was in lieu of the normal License Plate which we would normally receive at our National Meets. I think it was a brilliant idea. Many "A" owners were spotted using theres filled with water during the Meet week. Mine is still a vergin and just sits hanging on the wall with all my other mementos.
 

Attachments

  • 100_4497 RED SIZE.jpg
    100_4497 RED SIZE.jpg
    83.1 KB · Views: 20
I saw an old sign on ebay the other day that said Route 66, last stop to buy a desert water bag for the next 300 miles,
Wow!...Can you img. driving in an A model in the desert with no stop's for the next 300 miles :eek:.
Im just glad I have a desert water bag, Just in case :rolleyes:.
Louis,
Did many 66 trips in the '40's. Those signs were a GIMMICK just to get you to stop.:eek: We carried 4 water bags, as they slowly get lower from evaporation. Water was cold, odd smelling, odd tasting, but in the middle of the Mojave desert, it was like drinking NECTAR from THE GODS!!:D
Bill W.
 
Used one when driving round Australia in the phaeton in 2006. The water keeps cool by slow evaporation, however the evaporation rate was a bag full per day so really just for show rather than useful.
 
Used one when driving round Australia in the phaeton in 2006. The water keeps cool by slow evaporation, however the evaporation rate was a bag full per day so really just for show rather than useful.

Hello John, good to see your are still in the land of the living and still involved with Model A's. Have you got over your trip around Australia. I'm sure you have some really great memories which will last a lifetime.
A small group of us are planing a round Aust. trip for the National Meet 2014 which will be in Perth. As we live on the North East Coast of Australia it will meen doing a total distance of approx. 15000 km (that's 9000 miles for the U.S.) As you well know that is quite an adventure. Will you be coming back to Aust. or have you other Continents to conquer.

Terry
 
During the Reginal Meet held in Altoona Ia. Two weeks ago four couples in or group decided to go antiquing. All four came away with desert water bags. Each bag had differnt graphics, what fun !
 
This thread was very timely, to me, as I just found one, last week !
I believe that these go back to the "T" Model days. Mine is not that old, as it lists both American and Canadian patents of 1949.
It was very dusty and dirty. I washed it in mild hand-soap. I was afraid that detergent might affect the waterproofing.
MIKE :)

CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE - Twice
 

Attachments

  • waterbag.jpg
    waterbag.jpg
    361.9 KB · Views: 35
Last edited:
Here is a Model A era desert water bag in my collection that I bet you've never seen. It's a desert water bag around a galvenized box that was meant to clamp to your running board. You put your food in the box, close the lid, pull the cork and fill the flax bladder around the box with water, and drive away. The evaporation cools the water, and in turn, cools the contents of the metal box. The brochure advertising them is from 1928 or 1929 and I've only seen two others, one being in a museum. Note that the drain for the bag is just like the drain petcock on the lower radiator hose of the Model A.

Auto20Refrigerator20-2001.jpg


Auto20Refrigerator20-2002.jpg


Auto20Refrigerator20-2004.jpg


Auto20Refrigerator20-2007.jpg
 
Last edited:
I really like the Auto Refrigerator you posted. Most of our Model A's look the same, but it is the accessories that personalize our cars. Very cool accessory!
Thank you for sharing.
 
I thought Mrtube was saving the ending for those who didn't remember it. I remember the tanker said GASOLINE on the side. That was a great story.
 
Back
Top