Even before leaving Melbourne, this small 4WD Model H truck created much interest.
Hundreds of visitors to Pioneer Museum have walked past this odd-looking truck, completely unaware of its unique status across the world.
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Charles Ruwolt bought this FWD Model H truck direct from the USA in 1927. His son Claude drove it up to his property ‘Yarramundi’ and had it displayed at the Yarrawonga Show that year.
Taking sheep to Yarrawonga prior to loading by rail for Newmarket, Melbourne. The trailer was made in Ruwolt’s Melbourne factory.
The unique status of this vehicle has only just been realized, following months of research in Australia and the USA.
This makes it of value in the heritage of vehicles around the world. In addition, the Society has the full provenance, including many black and white photos of its arrival in Australia, through to its full restoration.
The truck was loaded with wheat for transportation to a railway siding. The rear trailer tyres were solid rubber.
Richard Ruwolt, owner of the truck, was the grandson of Charles (1873-1946), who was a prominent German-born Australian engineer, industrialist and founder of the Melbourne engineering firm Charles Ruwolt P/L. He acquired the extensive property ‘Yarramundi’, Mulwala, later run by his son Claude, then his grandson Richard.
This truck was manufactured by ‘Four Wheel Drive Auto Company’ (FWD) in Clintonville, Wisconsin, USA. It was powered by a 4-cylinder overhead valve Wisconsin petrol engine, with a 4-speed gear box, constant mesh 4-wheel drive, mechanical diff lock. It’s top speed was 30mph.
Such a versatile truck, even moving heavy farm equipment.
In 1908, Otto Zachaw and William Besserdich invented a ‘double-wide’ universal ball joint, making practical 4WD trucks possible. They founded their FWD company in 1909, concentrating on building trucks.
Their trucks were popular during World War 1 in Europe, handling boggy roads, carrying troops and equipment. One was sent to Canberra War Memorial after the war.
Fully restored condition, in the Pioneer Museum where volunteer Bruce demonstrated the crank handle to Tanya from the TV show ‘What’s up Downunder’.
Unique Features
FWD was a specialized manufacturer of heavy-duty 4WD vehicles. Their output was significantly lower than major consumer brands. Some years FWD only produced a few thousand units, across all models.
The 1927 Model H series was part of a transition in the late 1920s from the famous WW1-era Model B.
En route to the siding, far outpacing horse-drawn wagons.
Such trucks from the late 1920s were used in gruelling industrial roles, such as drilling holes for electricity poles, and construction of roads. This ‘workhorse’ use meant they were used until they wore out and sent for scrap.
The 1927 Model H represents the early rugged era of heave-duty 4-wheel drive, often featuring open cabs, solid rubber tires, and exposed mechanicals.
The truck had basic but efficient controls.
The Ruwolt men were very proud of their truck, which was restored by the Yarrawonga Car Club back to its original condition. The Historical Society is most grateful for their efforts, as it is now an extraordinary item in the Pioneer Museum, and a unique and significant piece of American industrial history.
This series of articles is being published in support of Pioneer Museum which was closed in 2025 after the building was found to be structurally unsound.
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