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1910s-40s address - Park Ave Auto Body - 4269 Park Ave. Bronx, NY
4269 Park Ave. Auto Body., Inc.", and the door on the next building says
"Webster Sheet Metal Works"
From the early 1900’s though the late 1940’s family members owned and
operated the Park Ave. Auto Body Shop in the Bronx, NYC
Today there is a Park Avenue Auto Body, Inc. at 3884 Park Ave. Bronx, NY
10457, however it's probably not the same firm.
In the first half of last century, the Park Avenue Auto Body Shop not only
did repairs and painting, but also altered vehicles. In this case a 1940's
Cadillac has been modified to accept a chair for a handicapped person. As WW
II neared an end, more and more disabled veterans returned home. (1945)
Photo #1 shows inside the vehicle (you can read Packard Super Eight on the
hub cap. You can also see that there is no roof (removable?) over the
driver's compartment. #2 shows a ramp in place, an attendant at the ready
behind the invalid's chair. #3 shows inside the Packard, with the chair in
place. #4 is the back of photo #2, explaining the chair and platform, and
having a name and address. (late 30s)
Also a picture of an early 40's Woody Wagon
Bohman & Schwartz of LA also specialized in handicap conversions very
similar to the conversions done by Park Ave. Both firms are known to have
made station wagon conversions as well.
During the 1930s and early 1940s Park Avenue converted a few sedans to
rear-loading funeral vehicles through the installation of a rear hatch and
flat load floor with integral rollers and bier pins. Have also seen an
unusual Dodge flatbed 1/2 ton pickup built specially for J.P. Linahan, Inc. a
Metro NY funeral supply house active in the 1920s-40s. The flatbed could be
used to transport floral tributes as well as caskets and other equipment to
the graveside.
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