Started in the 19th century by J. Bronkhorst, Sr., a Hilversum
blacksmith. Bronkhorst began repairing horse-drawn carriages
and went on to design and build them too; in 1905, the company obtained
a commission from Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands to build such
vehicles also for the Royal Dutch carriage house. Later, the
brothers Bronkhorst made custom bodies for wealthy clients on
imported automobile chassis; they acquired also a considerable
reputation for commercial vehicles built in the retro style (with square
cornered roofs, silver door handles and opera lights) for the funeral
trade; these were, built on the 1933 Buick chassis. Similar
funeral cars were built later on the 1939 Chevrolet Master-Imperial
chassis on 124-inch wheel base; these were sold through GM
Continental in Antwerp, Belgium. In the thirties, the
brothers built also convertible bodies on Cadillac, Oldsmobile and
Graham chassis; later, ambulance bodies and town car styles were added
to the program. The factory premises were severely damaged during WW2.
As neither brother had any successor, the business finally was closed
down in 1948.
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