Re: AU NG car question

Strangely enough they are called louvred vans! Pretty common down here in the southern hemisphere with many different classes in both 4 wheel and bogie versions. The one in the picture is a V class van on our 3'6" gauge system, wagons here in Australia all have a letter clasification plus numbers, this could be V1990 for example. The van to the far left is a standard gauge 4 wheel louvre van. The V van sides are made from steel, later ones on the broad and standard gauge were steel framed with timber louvres, all are totally ventilated.
They were a general goods carrying vehicle that would be loaded with anything not perishable, early last century loading charts even listed the number of rabbits that could be carried, dead of course!

Wayne from Oz.