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A TALE OF TWO JOWETTS

CLASSIC and VAN pick-up

FOR ENTHUSIASTS OF VANS, PICK-UPS AND CAMPERS December 2017 £3.80

THAMES E83W

EX-CO-OP MINOR Re-created to perfection

Ford’s fifties workhorse

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When I changed my E Class Mercedes 320 to a Volvo V70 I really missed the performance. It was then that I decided to try FTC. When the FTC arrived I took a note of my mileage [I already knew my MPG] and dropped the small metal tablets down into the tank. That was on Thursday evening.

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The car just felt more eager. As we pulled onto M27 I was quite frankly blown away. It just pulled and pulled and pulled. Several weeks later the garage collected the car for a service. When my mechanic, Andy, who I have used for over ten years, dropped the car back he said to me, “have you had that chipped, it goes like a rocket”? I laughed and told him about the little FTC tablets. Now they’re converts too! Since then the car has certainly continued to improve and the MPG is better by 10%. I’ve also installed FTC in my 1974 MGBGT and the effect is just as noticeable. It’s a marvelous thing to really enjoy starting engine no matter how long or short a trip you’re off on. Totally sold on this fantastic, low cost little product”.

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Contents Volume 18 Number 2

January 2018

ISSUE on sale Friday 15 December

4 From the Loft More mutterings from the decrepit one.

5 Ex-Co-op Minor Two famous names.

8 News Hot news, tepid talk and a few cold facts.

12 Readers’ letters Post Office memories.

14 Subscribe to CVP Easy decision – send us dough, we send you magazines.

16 Ford E83W Ford’s faithful fifties workhorse.

22 Scene in New Zealand Classic news from Kiwi.

23 Scene in America

23 30

Classic stuff from the States.

25 From the Archives More fascinating ads from the past.

26 Back in the Day Nostalgia unrivalled. We hope.

28 We’re still working Old timers earning a crust or two.

30 A tale of two Bradfords Check out this splendid pair.

34 Under the hammer Glance at the auction scene.

37 My Story Reliant Rialto woodie – this is most intriguing.

40 It’s Here – in Black and White Monochrome in its most magical form.

44 Readers’ ads Time you spent some money, dudes.

49 Next Month What we hope to bring you.

50 Tom Buckle Fond (mostly) memories of the J4.

34 CLASSIC VAN & PICKUP December 2017

3

FROM THE LOFT S

OME people never grow up. Not that such a situation is necessarily a bad thing, but it is reasonably common for people to retain a certain childlike (rather than childish) approach to life. This is perfectly acceptable provided no harm comes to anybody.

It could manifest itself at a wedding when the old man gets up, thinks he’s John Travolta and proceeds to embarrass the whole of the family with a series of moves and gyrations that he thinks, in that innocent part of his brain that is still thinking, is cool. It rarely is, of course, but who cares?

Thus, while out in the Minor, my attention was drawn to a Lotus Elise that pulled up alongside at the lights. It was a two-lane carriageway and there was little else about. I glanced at the two lads in the car and the passenger gave me the thumbs-up. People who like Lotuses (Loti?) generally like any car that is different.

I just couldn’t help myself: “I’ll race ya,” I rasped out of the window.

“OK, race ya,” came back the reply.

An utterly ludicrous and one-sided encounter, nevertheless, I revved the motor, dropped the clutch, managed the spin the wheels (just) and took off like, well, a 948cc-engined 1962 Minor would take off.

For 20, maybe 30, yards, I had him. We were neck and neck and then there was a deafening roar and the Elise whizzed

RUSS HARVEY A livery always adds that certain something to a van, so you’ll enjoy reading about the ex-Coop Minor that Russ tracked down.

MARTYN BARNWELL For this month’s main cover picture and feature inside, please put your hands together and applaud Mr Barnwell, for it is he who brings you the splendid photographs.

CLASSIC VAN & PICKUP December 2017

Ted Connolly, Editor.

For Editor, e-mail van.ed@kelsey.co.uk For Subscriptions, e-mail subs@kelsey.co.uk, call 01959 543747 or visit www.shop.kelsey.co.uk For Advertising, e-mail van.ads@kelsey.co.uk or call 01233 228750 For Free Ads, e-mail vans@kelseyclassifieds.co.uk JANUARY 2018 ISSUE on sale Friday 15 December

PAUL GUINNESS Is there no end to the archive material that Paul possesses? We sure hope not, at least, not for a good few years yet, anyhow.

Product Giveaways/Competitions With regard to product giveaways, free prize draws and competitions operated

by Kelsey Media, if any prize or other product is lost or damaged during the course of delivery to you, we will provide reasonable assistance in seeking to resolve the problem. However, it will not always be possible to obtain replacements for lost or damaged goods, and no financial compensation is payable by us where replacement goods cannot be provided.

4

off. Now, the Elise is pretty rapid in standard form, but it was obvious this one had been breathed on, judging by the dropped suspension, aftermarket wheels and impossibly-large exhaust.

When the pair of them were about 50 yards in front, they pulled over to the nearside and once again, the passenger gave me the thumbs-up.

It was a great feeling of camaraderie – totally ageless fun. Like I said, some people never grow up. In my case, I’ve managed to grow fatter, greyer and more wrinkled, but never up.

BRIAN CULPAN Brian has a great affinity with the Bradford marque and really enjoyed putting this piece together about two of these fine vans – you can tell by the way it reads.

TOM BUCKLE Buckle had a lot of dealings with the J4 – most were pleasant, but not all. Listen to his words of wisdom (or otherwise).

Data Protection Kelsey Media uses a multi layered Privacy Notice giving you brief details about how we would like to use your personal information. For full details visit www. classicvan.co.uk or call 01959 543524.

If you have any questions please ask as submitting your details indicates your consent, until you choose otherwise, that we and our partners may contact you about products and services that will be of relevance to you via direct mail, phone, email and SMS. You can opt-out at ANY time via email data.controller@ kelsey.co.uk or 01959 543524.

CHANGING OF THE COLOURS T

This ex-Co-op Minor van has had its fair share of paint jobs, but now, it’s staying just as it is – bright red and beautiful. Russ Harvey reports.

HIS Austin-badged Minor, affectionately known as WilFreD (WFD 890H), started life way back in November, 1969, registered in Dudley and assembled at Adderley Park as a Persian blue van, and acquired by the Co-op. The van was categorised by the motor trade as “frustrated”, a term that I had not heard of. Owner Roy Edwards informs me it simply means that the original customer order was cancelled and similar vehicles – in this case, vans – were then packaged for sale as a fleet at discounted prices and offered to large companies. WFD was included in such a sale to the Dudley Co-operative Society, in November 1969. After registration, it was dispatched to Coach and Motors, of Wolverhampton, to be re-sprayed and have the Co-op livery applied, however, it was painted red and not the blue and white that is more often associated with the Co-op.

As an Austin, it differs from its Morris brother by a few badges, namely, on the bonnet, horn push and rocker cover, and the famous Austin crinkle grille. It carries chassis number AAVC273913, this confirms its Austin heritage and is explained: A = Austin; A= A-series engine; V = van; and C = Series C (the Morris equivalent is series V). The van’s entire history has been

traced by Roy with the help of the DVLA. WilFreD remained in the ownership of Dudley Co-operative Society from 1969 to March, 1974, and it was with its next owner, William Norfolk, until July, 1992. The van spent a short time being cared for by a Nicola Clowes until Roy took over ownership back in June, 1995.

Roy originally carried out a full restoration on WFD 890H during 1995, returning the van to Persian blue exactly as it left factory and during the rebuild, he found numerous layers of paint on the back, confirming its history and livery changes. The fact it was an ex-Co-op van stuck in his mind and

Engine bay and 1,098cc A-series motor are immaculate.

CLASSIC VAN & PICKUP December 2017

5

Proud owners Roy and Collette Edwards.

Original Co-op stencil was used for ownership details.

remained stored there for future reference.

It was in 2011 that Roy put the van on a SORN. He was retiring and wanted a project and he decided the van deserved to be returned to the authentic Co-op livery that it originally carried when in service at Dudley. To ensure he had the correct livery, he contacted the local Black Country newspaper by letter, requesting help with his van, hoping to contact readers who remembered it in service and especially the original livery it carried when new. His letter never appeared on the letters page and instead, the paper ran a feature.

EXACT LIVERY

Following the article, several readers got in contact, saying they remembered the van, and

6

CLASSIC VAN & PICKď&#x161;şUP December 2017

two were particularly helpful. John Amos, who used to work at the butchery department, remembered travelling in the van but, more importantly, he was able to provide Roy with a sketch, illustrating the exact livery and signage that you see today. Terry Downing, who was a mechanic in the Co-op garage, remembered servicing the van and supplied the original stencil to produce the vehicle ownership details. These were legally required to be displayed behind the passenger door. Once the restoration was finished, Roy took the van to John for his seal of approval and he was amazed to see the van and confirmed the livery had been produced exactly as it was. Sadly, since then, John has passed away.

WFD 890H was specifically allocated as a TV and Radio Service vehicle, although it was based at the general store in Dudley town centre. However, it spent a lot of time in general use at Nith Place which, at that time, housed all of the various Co-op departments. Nith Place was also the home of the vehicle maintenance depot, sadly, none of buildings remains and the site was almost inevitably used for a new housing estate.

Dudley Co-op merged with the Midland Co-op Society in 1972 and WFD once again had a change of colour, this time to the familiar Co-op blue and white. This was confirmed during the restoration, when Roy uncovered all of these colours when the paintwork was stripped and various fittings were removed from the van. The actual colour used on WFD 890H for Dudley was from the BS381c range red (BS538), as used on the GPO mailvans, with the correctlypainted rims in primrose. They may appear to give that Noddy van feeling, but it is authentic and often makes people smile and children wave when they see it.

I met up with Roy and wife Collette in Broseley, Shropshire, and I must thank fellow Minor LCV Register stalwart

Lawrence Homer for suggesting Benthall Hall as a suitable location for the photoshoot, which it most certainly was.

While chatting to Roy, he recalled several amusing stories, including when heading for Northern Ireland. While boarding the midnight ferry, the van was at the head of the queue when an official ordered him to activate the hazard warning lights. He was somewhat bemused when Roy asked him if

Unusual shade for rims, but it is accurate.

Interior is smart – check out the minor Minor on the dash, so cute.

Bolts and fixings display all the colours that this van has carried.

he wanted the left or right one. On another occasion, a car chased him for several miles down country lanes, but there was nothing untoward because the owner just wanted to get a better look at the van.

JAZZ FESTIVAL

WFD 890H during restoration – plenty going on here.

WilFreD when first restored in Persian blue.

WilFreD is extremely well travelled and has been on the Bandon Minor rally, West Cork, on three occasions, a tour of Northern Ireland and the 24-hour JOGLE (John O’Groats to Land’s End) run, organized by the Morris Minor Owners’ Club Barnsley branch. On top of that, it has travelled to Denmark, with a short jaunt over the German border for beer during a jazz festival, and been displayed on the Minor LCV Register’s stand at the NEC during 2016. The van has featured on TV, too, most recently, albeit very briefly, in Danny and the Human Zoo, written by Lenny Henry and covering the early part of his career. The back end appeared in a mock-up of Dudley market, blink and you would have missed it. The van has also starred in an episode of Midsomer Murders in the opening scene, belonging to a rope manufacturer.

My thanks go to Roy and Collette Edwards for their help with this feature. I am also extremely grateful to the National Trust (www.nationaltrust.org.uk), who kindly allowed me to take photographs at Benthall Hall.

CLASSIC VAN & PICKUP December 2017

7

News

IS IT A PICKUP?

CHECK out this rather unusual vehicle.

The badge says MG and at first glance, it looks like a sports car – probably built from a kit. Well, that’s not unusual. Now take look at the tail end and you’ll see that behind the two seats is a stained and varnished wooden loadbed. So, does that make it a pick-up?

It was spotted at Giffnock Classic Car Show, immediately south of Glasgow, by Keith Cromb, our man north of the border.

He said: “To use a local expression, it looks home-knitted.” We do know that is has an MGB engine. Interesting, eh?

Keith is an incredibly enthusiastic supporter of the classic scene and when he got in touch with this photo, he estimated that he had been to at least 20 shows this year, with a few more to go. Well done, that

SEALEY PROMOTION TOOLS and equipment specialists Sealey’s are offering a new, limitededition, carbon fibreeffect wrapped top chest and roll cab. They are made from heavy-gauge steel and have steel inner walls for extra strength and durability.

Heavy-duty 35mm ballbearing slides provide excellent performance and carry weighty loads. The full-height rear locking mechanism locks full-length drawers in multiple locations and added security is provided by a cylinder lock (supplied with

two keys). Each drawer features black aluminium drawer pulls for added style and the lid is fitted with gas struts for smooth opening and closing. The roll cab includes four heavy-duty yellow castors with black alloys, two swivel with large toe locks and two fixed.

The part number is AP26CFSTACK and the package is included, along with many other goodies, in Sealey’s Christmas promotion, which means there are considerable savings to be made. For further details, visit www.sealey.co.uk or call the customer service department on 01284 757500.

NEXT MONTH

EVENTS

You can e-mail details of your events to motorevents@kelseypb.co.uk Send your news items to news@ kelsey.co.uk

PLUS:

● BEDFORD DORMOBILE King of the campers ● SCENE IN NEW ZEALAND Classic Kiwi happenings

FREE readers’ ads. Yep, we charge you not one dime, you lucky lot

MINIVAN RESTO

Reliving a golden era 8

CLASSIC VAN & PICKUP December 2017

PRE-WAR POST VAN

Intriguing 1938 Morris hybrid

CVP might not be the cheapest magazine on the market or bring you the biggest variety of subjects.

But come on, we do try and, anyway, you’re helping out a bunch of old fogeys.

On sale Friday 15 December

News

Day at the Museum Left and Below: Two of the vehicles on display at Aldridge Transport Museum.

LOYAL CVP supporter Dan Clelland has been out and about and was keen to report back on Aldridge Transport Museum, in the West Midlands.

Dan tells us: “This place is only down the road from me, yet I never even knew it existed until I stumbled across the website.

The place is run entirely by volunteers and has a superb collection of vehicles. Definitely a cause worth supporting.”

The sort of cause that we always support, so if you’re in the area, pop in. The address is Shenstone Drive, Northgate, Aldridge,

RARE DROPSIDE

ENTHUSIAST Frank Lucas came across this somewhat unusual J4 at Bridgwater Classic and Vintage Show, Somerset, and thought we’d like to see it. We’re pleased to feature it, naturally, and as Frank says, a J4 pick-up with a wooden dropside body is pretty rare vehicle. Much obliged, Frank.

Land Rover Dan spotted at Norfolk.

Interested?

Walsall WS9 8TP and telephone number 01922 454761. It’s open 10:30am-4pm on Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays and also Bank Holiday Mondays. There is on-site parking on non-event days and when there is an event taking place, a free park-and-ride service is available. Check out www.amrtm. org Dan has actually been a busy boy, because while on a visit to Norfolk, he spotted an old Land Rover, reposing behind a holiday cottage. He says: “Probably could be saved, but the bulkhead looks shot. It might yield some parts, though.”

Dan can provide details so if you are interested, get in touch through CVP.

GET A GRIP LASER Tools have released a new set of long-reach pliers (part number 6684), which are said to be suitable for both the professional technician and the dedicated enthusiast, who prefers high-quality equipment.

Their slim design and 16in length provides access into the depths of the engine bay or anywhere space is limited.

The set comprises three pairs of pliers with a choice of jaw angle – straight, 90 degrees and 45 degrees – and the handles are plastic-dipped for comfort and grip. Good quality does come at a price, of course and the set costs £68.42 (including VAT). Check out www. lasertools.co.uk

CLASSIC VAN & PICKUP December 2017

9

News Webb of Intrigue

Great panoramic shot of the Minor LCV Register’s vehicles – artistry, indeed, from Mr Harvey.

WEBB’S Garden Centre, in Wychbold, Worcs, held their annual classic Car on Sunday show, now in its 22nd year. It’s a superb family day out, seeing more than 300 exhibitors proudly displaying their classics, including some lovely commercials. As usual, the Minor LCV Register was out in force with more than 20 examples lined up. Furthermore, the sun shone and an amazing day was had by all. In my opinion, the star of the show was a splendid Hillman Imp AA van, which looks stunning, I didn’t know the AA used them. Russ Harvey VeeDubs line up to make an impressivelooking twosome.

Austin-badged Minor van to the fore.

A35 van is in fine order – who doesn’t like these little workhorses?

Villiers-liveried Thames 400E often appears in CVP – no wonder, it’s great.

AA-liveried Imp van was Russ’s favourite. We think it’s most attractive. Russ says he never knew the AA used them – neither did we.

GMC-badged Apache is something else, you’ll agree. Maybe.

10

CLASSIC VAN & PICKUP December 2017

The so-called rat-look is in vogue at the moment.

News

The Ridgeway Run

THE 33rd Ridgeway Run from Henley-on-Thames to Quainton drew a good selection of classic light commercials, as always, and our man, good all-round egg and rather fine snapper, James King, was there to record the event. Before allowing you to peruse his paintings in light, thanks must go to organizers John and Janet Ayre, who are stalwarts of the HCVS midland area. And now, you may peruse.

Paul Long, of Thatcham, Berks, brought along his 1964 Ford Thames 400E pick-up.

It’s a dashed fine example.

Patrick Edwards, of Clanfield, Oxon, entered his 1961 Morris Minor pick-up – simple, subtle and very smart.

Attractive blue and white 1967 Bedford J1 was driven to the run by John Smith, of High Wycombe, Bucks. It’s a lovely example.

We always like to see a Bedford HA in the mag. This 110 belongs to Dave Richardson, of Tilehurst, Berks.

Citroën H van is now in the ranks of the cool brigade, but forget the hype, because it is a lovely classic in its own right. This pick-up belongs to Roger Hoskins, from the Isle of Wight.

Land Rover Series 1 now has wide appeal.

This example dates from 1955 and the proud owner is Ron Mobbs, of Wheatley, Oxon.

Lovely old girl, this one – the 1938 Morris entered by Peter Chew, of Cookham, Berks.

Martin Walter made some great conversions using the Bedford CA as a base – this is a Utilabrake, entered in the run by Alan Bullock, of Iver, Bucks.

CLASSIC VAN & PICKUP December 2017

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Readers' Letters

RECALLING THE RENAULT DAYS I WAS scanning in some old photographs from my college days and thought you would like this one. It is my first mode of transport, a 1983 Renault 4 F4 van. I am sitting on the bonnet with a friend of mine standing by the driver’s door. This picture was taken in early-1990.

I bought the van for £100 back in 1988 from the local Post Office auction. It was originally orange with the two front doors painted white and the P&T (Post and Telegraphs) logo on the front doors was painted out with black paint. These were the last of the orange and white P&T vans because, from January, 1984, the P&T was split into Telecom Eireann, still using Renault 4 vans at the time, but now in a white/blue/grey colour scheme, while the postal service was now re-branded as An Post, using all-green Renault vans.

Thanks to this van’s working life spent around the west Connemara coast, the corrosion due to the salty sea environment was quite bad. I tidied up the van and cut out and replaced a lot of rot with fresh metal, thanks to help from my dad. It was painted Zetor Red, courtesy of a cheap supply of paint from a local tractor spares shop, applied with a Wagner electric spray gun. The finish was poor, but passable, with plenty of orange peel, but as a 22 year old, I had nobody to impress.

I drove this up to 1991, when the rear chassis cracked and I sold it for parts. My next car was a 1977 Triumph Dolomite

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CLASSIC VAN & PICKUP December 2017

1300, which kept me going until 1994.

Ironically, the Renault van had all its original bespoke shelving fitted, which I unceremoniously removed and dumped – today, one of these vans in original condition would be very rare and would prompt a lot of reminiscing at a classic/ vintage show by ex-P&T workers. If only we had a crystal ball to look into. These vans are sought after today and rarely appear at vintage shows. I hope this pic jogs a few memories.

PETER HAVERTY, Limerick.

The pic certainly does jog a few memories, as do your words. I remember the Wagner electric spray gun, as it was a few decades ago, but could never afford one, and I re-sprayed the front wing of my Sunbeam Rapier using a vacuum cleaner for power. Like you, I had nobody to impress, which was

just as well because the finish looked like suede. Peter has already sent us a great story about his adventures with a Nissan Urvan camper van and we will be carrying that in due course.

In the meantime, I feel you deserve a special reward for your letter, exclusive membership to the Elite Order of Sealey – Editor.

THAMES MEMORIES SEEING mention of the Thames 400E in the mag prompted me to send these two photos, which I thought you might like to see. The group shot was taken at Winchester Rural District Council depot, in Hedge End, Hampshire, in the mid- to late-sixties. It was some special occasion, but I can’t recall what. It shows three 400Es – two pick-ups and one van – and what look like a Massey Ferguson tractor and a Thames Trader.

The other was taken in New Zealand in 2008 and the 400E was parked by the roadside advertising for a fuel company.

MIKE WILLIAMS, New Forest.

Ta, Mike, we love all old photos.

Incidentally, does anybody recall the occasion at the council depot? – Editor.

Have your say in Classic Van and pick-up

IN ASSOCIATION WITH

Send your comments to The Editor, Classic Van and pick-up, Kelsey Media, PO Box 978, Peterborough PE1 9FL or email: van.ed@kelsey.co.uk

MEET JUNE THE COMMER PLEASE find enclosed a picture of June, my 1968 Commer PB with Bluebird Himalayan body. I came across her by chance and she had been in a workshop for the best part of 20 years, untouched. After towing her the 15 miles home, I got the engine running after changing the fuel and checking the usual – points, plugs etc – ready for the MoT the following week and she passed with one advisory, a steering column bush, which had slight wear, After the MoT, I rebuilt the engine and my wife re-covered the seats and made new curtains.

My wife and myself have had weekends away around the north East of Scotland and

the van has been to the classic car show at Glamis. I hope this might be of some interest.

WORDS OF GRATITUDE I WAS pleased to see that you found a spot for my ramblings regarding the chance meeting with Peter Letten (Letters October). ‘Er Indoors hasn’t seen it yet, as she’s away on hols with her sister (I neatly sidestepped that one). However, when she returns and reads it, to quote Fred Astaire: “There may be trouble ahead.”

Actually, I should make a confession at this point. When CVP landed on the doormat, I tore off the plastic wrapper and headed, as I often do, straight for the Thoughts of Chairman Buckle (and so read those before I saw my ugly mug staring back at me). Now, Mr Buckle, despite things he has been known to say, does often talk a lot of sense, as is the case in October’s issue regarding oil leaks.

Before joining the ranks of the retired in April (YeeeeeeHaaaaa), my last boss, or line manager, as modern parlance would prefer, frequently used an expression that had no doubt been drummed into him at one of the many courses he attended. This was “managing the customer’s expectations”.

The “customer” was anyone who was inconsiderate enough to try to upset the daily schedule of tea breaks by demanding goods or services of an audio-visual nature.

“Managing the customer’s expectations” involved taking a request that was usually expensive, complicated and expected to be completed yesterday and persuading the customer that a better solution was

something cheaper and simpler that could be done in easy time (our more skilful team members were adept at talking customers out of their requests altogether).

Customers’ expectations were, thus, gently lowered and we were better placed to meet them.

Anyway, this management of expectations policy must surely be applicable to classic vehicles. When our vehicles were made, many leaked a certain amount of oil from new (as pointed out by Mr Buckle). They often smoked a bit, didn’t always start, didn’t go or stop as well as modern cars and could prove a tad unreliable now and then.

We all appreciate this, but perhaps need

ROGER PACKER, Aberdeenshire.

Naturally, it is of great interest, a lovely looking camper – Editor. to manage the expectations of our wives, loved ones and the Oily Driveway Police, so that a drip of oil, a puff of smoke and the occasional jump start are not reasons for histrionics or divorce, but an accepted part of ownership of an old and interesting vehicle. I do like Mr Buckle’s solution of the drip tray.

STEVE ROBERTS, Devon.

As you may recall, Steve’s letter appeared in October when he recalled meeting fellow Bedford HA owner Peter Letten while out and about. This is the written sequel, which just had to appear.

I have one question, Mr Roberts, how come you are retired? You, surely are not old enough. Oh, and Mr Astaire actually said: “Do you mind not stepping on my toes, Ginger?” – Editor.

IT’S A CHEVY REGARDING the photo you carried in It’s Here – in Black and White in the October issue. The van is a 1942 pattern Chevrolet, which featured the famous art deco style grille. A wing mirror has been fitted to the offside wing to give the (left-hand) driver a bit more of a chance.

DAVID KNUDSEN. Initially, we thought it might have been a Dodge and are happy to be corrected.

Many thanks, David – Editor.

CLASSIC VAN & PICKUP December 2017

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FORD’S FIFTIES WORKHORSE

Thames E83W is a wonderful example of a commercial that found many friends in its heyday.

Photos by Martyn Barnwell, report by Ted Connolly

T

HE Transit changed it all for Ford when launched in 1965. It looked great, went fantastically, had carlike driving comfort and an absolute stack of loadspace. It immediately made the outgoing Thames 400E seem dated.

Please, don’t chastise me for saying that, because I genuinely like the Thames, but it’s a fact. However, don’t feel too sorry for the poor, old, downtrodden 400E, because it was guilty of exactly the same crime when unveiled in 1957. Back then, it was the new kid on the block and I doubt it ever felt any pangs of guilt when ousting the E83W. That’s evolution and it happens in most aspects of life.

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The stark contrast in the two models was brought home to me memorably when I was in the Boy Scouts (no, I never learnt to tie knots, cook by the campfire or help old ladies across the road, but I had a lot of fun), so memorably, in fact, that I am still able to tell the story in intricate detail all these years later. Don’t worry, the story won’t be that intricate, I am mindful or your boredom threshold.

Anyhow, one of the Scoutmasters used to run us little herberts and an assortment of gear around in an old blue and pink (significant, as you’ll discover later) van. It rattled and it smoked, but to us kids, it was luxury transport. Be aware that back in those

days, four-wheeled transport for the masses was still relatively rare and in the road where I grew up, all we ever saw were three cars (rich neighbours, the swine) and a weekly visit by the council dustcart.

And then one day, Steve Long – pround owner the Scout leader of a fine fifties Ford. turned up in a grey van and it really looked the business. Smart,

angular body, a load more room inside and noticeably better pulling power. A week after he got it, the van was re-sprayed green – a traditional Boy Scouts colour – and that was our troop’s new form of transport. Of course, I didn’t realise it at the time, but the outgoing van was a Thames E83W and the successor a 400E. But although I was too uneducated to identify specific models, I knew enough to recognise the huge difference in just about every respect.

I’ve obviously since come to learn just how significant the E83W was for Ford. Not a ground-breaker, by any means, but a dependable workhorse that became a friend to many small tradesmen. It was launched in 1938 and the model designation came from Ford’s system of using letters and numbers to identify their vehicles. The E83W was named as follows – E (English-build) 8 (the year of introduction – in this case, 1938), 3 (denoted engine hp, 1 for 30hp V8, 2 for 22hp V8 and 3 for 10hp four-cylinder) and W (forward control). The vehicle was badged as a Fordson – the name Ford adopted for its commercials – and it was re-badged Thames in 1952.

Old tax disc from December, 1955, is a wonderful piece of nostalgia.

Require more ventilation, sir? Why, just open the windscreen a touch.

SEMI-FORWARD CONTROL

The chassis, panelwork and mechanicals, including the axles, were purpose-built and unique to the commercial and not a great deal was borrowed from the contemporary 10hp saloon, the only major parts being the engine, some gearbox components and switchgear. Although the van was designated

One windscreen wiper was standard practice – and just to add to the luxury, it was vacuum-operated.

Original buff logbook has been preserved.

as forward control, it is more accurately described as semi-forward control and the bonnet did stick out noticeably. The engine was offset to the left (on UK, right-hand drive models) and sat back a fair way, therefore, there was precious little room in the passenger side. In truth, it was virtually non-existent, which is probably why a passenger seat was an option, rather than a standard fitment.

The bodywork was built from a combination of wood and metal and developed by Briggs Motor Bodies, a famous name in the automotive industry. To buy a new, basic E83W in 1938, you would have to part with £168, although there was the option to buy just the chassis and/or cab. The early models had their quirks, particularly the central throttle pedal, which was not common even at the time, although not unheard of.

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Berkshire County Council issued this Certificate of Weighing a Mechanically Propelled Vehicle.

one blade was standard), transverse leaf springs, a plethora of grease nipples that demanded frequent attention, thermo-syphon cooling and an oil filter being an optional extra.

If you’re lucky enough to get hold of an original handbook then you will no doubt be somewhat amused at the priceless piece of advice given to owners: “Never brake or accelerate violently at corners and on bends if this can possibly be avoided, as it may induce skidding, especially on loose or greasy surfaces.” I doubt if it would be physically possible to brake or accelerate violently in this vehicle, such are the rather gentle retardation and performance capabilities. After all, the 1,172cc sidevalve engine produced a mere 30bhp. Incidentally, although the engine shares its capacity with that in the later 100E cars and their van equivalents, it is a different motor altogether.

Can you imagine today’s Jack-the-lad – used to a seven- (maybe eight-) speed electronic sequential gearbox, speedsensitive power steering, anti-locking brakes and a couple of hundred-plus horsepower – jumping in and driving an E83W, with its agricultural steering, threespeed cogbox and central throttle? It would be like putting Lewis Hamilton in a pedal

Hungerford Old Tyme Fayre and Steam Engine Rally programme from 1974, which contains details of the Ford.

This sort of memorabilia is priceless.

ambulances, fire tenders with the Auxiliary Fire Service and as mobile canteens operated by the YMCA, Salvation Army and Church Army. You may well have heard of the Henry Ford-funded Ford Emergency Food Vans on the 10cwt chassis.

The hostilities actually extended the life of the E83W because for seven years, Ford, as with every other company, didn’t have the time and resources to develop new models and what was available simply had to do. Production ended in September, 1957, by which time, more than 188,000 had been built, the model being replaced by the 400E, as mentioned. The E83W changed very little during its life and right to the end, kept its overtly pre-war character – vacuum-operated wipers (the faster you went, the slower the wipers operated, although we should say wiper, because 18

CLASSIC VAN & PICKUP December 2017

The van was almost new when photographed here in its role as a working vehicle for a television and radio business.

Passenger seat was added later as an extra.

Interior is exactly what you would expect in a fifties light commercial – pretty basic.

car (although, knowing him, he’d do OK).

Even when production was finally drawing to a close, this commercial was still finding buyers and manfully warding off competition from the likes of the Bedford CA and BMC J-type. In its time, a most successful vehicle.

a driving school. The form is dated 27-9-1955 and it records that Gordon Leonard Andrews, of High Street, Hungerford, Berkshire, laid down an initial payment of £15 to secure the purchase. The price was £356 and to put that into some sort of perspective, the average weekly wage was around £10, so the van cost a good part of the annual average salary of £500.

In today’s money, £356 would be worth about £8,500, so we are now a lot better off, a new, equivalent vehicle representing a much smaller fraction of a typical salary.

Anyway, leaving the finer points of mathematics aside, the order form gives a breakdown of extra costs: Two-tone

WRITTEN GEMS

A fair amount is known about the history of the Thames featured, thanks to the foresight of several owners down the years who have preserved original documentation. One of those written gems is the order form from Pass and Company, Newbury, who supplied the vehicle. We haven’t been able to find out anything about this company and if you can help then please get in touch. Certainly, the firm’s name would have been ideally suited to

paint and lettering to instruction, £37 10s; Collection and delivery, £4 12 5s; Purchase Tax, £51 2 3d (ouch); road fund licence fee, £2 15; number plates, £1 10s; licence holder, 10s; and petrol and oil, £1 12 11.

Mr Andrews part-exchanged his old van, an April, 1949 Ford 10cwt, FBL 235, and was given an allowance of £135 and the deal was signed off by salesman C M Mackey.

The van then went on to be registered with the number LRX 59 by Berkshire County Council on 1 November, 1955, and the original buff logbook notes that its colour was blue and pink (coincidentally, the same as the van owned by my old Scoutmaster).

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Nobody has yet come up with a better method of holding out a choke cable than a clothes peg.

Loadspace was considered generous in the van’s era.

It records the road tax paid and the first amount was £2 15, obviously to the end of the year. Then in January, 1956, it was £15 and the same each year until January, 1959, when it was £4 2 6d. It seems that Mr Andrews chose to tax it on a quarterly basis.

In 1961, it went up to £5 10 and then £6 12 in September, 1965.

The next fascinating piece of memorabilia is a document issued by Berkshire County Council Local Taxation Department and is a Certificate of Weighing a Mechanically Propelled Vehicle.

The weighmaster meticulously noted that equipment included a driver’s side seat only, front bumper only, a six-volt battery, dynamo, self-starter plus two rear doors.

The condition was stated as clean and tidy.

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CLASSIC VAN & PICKUP December 2017

He noted that the gross unladen weight was 18cwt 7lbs, taking into account two gallons of water, at 20lbs, and two gallons of petrol, 16lbs. With those two loads removed, he was able to calculate the dry weight (that is, without fuel or water), however, he obviously got a little confused, because there are some crossings-out on the total figure and it is not quite possible to make it out.

According to our maths, it should have been 17cwt 6lbs. Whatever the case, it must have satisfied the county council, because the certificate was duly issued.

ORIGINAL BODYWORK

The van stood for several years after Gordon Andrews retired until bought by Mr Ron Scott, in 1972. Some work was carried out

over that winter and it was MoT tested in 1973 and then rallied and shown many times over the next 30 years by Ron, winning numerous awards. A poster for Hungerford Old Tyme Fayre and Steam Engine Rally has been preserved and it refers to the rally on 15 and 16 July, 1974, in aid of the Town Hall restoration and national charities and held on Hungerford Common. Ron entered the Thames and the programme gives a potted history, saying that the Ford was bought

by Gordon Andrews and used for his radio and television business. It noted that the bodywork was the original, as supplied new, and that the previous year, it won third prize at the national Ford Sidevalve Rally, at Leighton Buzzard. A minor stroke later caused Ron to sell it and it went to a new owner near Reading, who sadly removed the original, striking livery.

However, a photograph has been preserved, and handed down from owner to owner, of the van when almost new and it shows the original signwriting of G Andrews, High Street, Hungerford. He was a radio and television dealer and the writing says: “For those who seek perfection Pam Radio and Television.” Pam refers to Pamphonic Televisions, which were made from about 1951. The Pamphonic brand was shortened to Pam three years later.

These television sets and radios are now much-revered by enthusiasts of such vintage equipment.

Engine is humble sidevalve 1,172cc unit, producing a modest 30bhp.

On the door of the van, the writing says “The Record Shop” and back then, it was quite common for television and radio dealers to sell records, because the visual and audio equipment went hand in hand.

The premises still exist, but now, as a fishand-chip shop.

Altogether, a most interesting history.

And now, we bring the story up to date and the Ford is owned by Steve Long,

of Oxon. He said: “I bought the van five years ago and did a lot of work on it. This included new ash frames for the front and rear doors, cutting out and replacing rust in the body and a new paint job. The engine was rebuilt with new pistons, new-type con-rods, new valves etc I found that two exhaust valves were burnt out. It’s hard to believe that it was able to get along on two cylinders, given that the engine produces

little power in good condition. I have used the van for many shows and runs and it is a pleasure to drive, albeit at about 35mph flat-out. It is a very good starter, even though it is still on six volts.”

As you can see, Steve has personalised it with his own colour scheme and livery and it remains as a great example of one of Ford’s most popular commercials and a wonderful reminder of a long-gone era. Our thanks go to Steve and Chris for all their help with this feature.

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Scene in New Zealand

OVER here, we call them autojumbles, in New Zealand, they are known as swap meets.

Names aside, the principle is exactly the same – loads of enthusiasts turn up to either buy or sell anything from a few old brackets to complete vehicles.

Tony Kloet visited a meet at Christchurch and sent us these photos of interesting vehicles he spotted. We are indebted, as always.

Bedford CA looks to be a totally sound proposition – apart from a few surface blemishes, it appears to be rust-free.

It’s amazing how much a few custom touches and a coat of bright paint can change the look of the Bedford CF. We think this is a Suzuki Jimny – it’s a little difficult to tell with all of that trick stuff going on. Whatever the case, it was for sale for $5,000 (£2,818).

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CLASSIC VAN & PICKUP December 2017

Now here’s a ute to turn heads – a Ford Mainline. Tony says they were once quite common in NZ.

Smart Holden van has a highly-distinctive front end.

Datsun 1800 has been converted to a camper of sorts, we’ve certainly never seen anything like it in the UK. It was on offer for $6,850 (£3,861).

Scene in America IF you don’t like Yank metal then flip over to the next page. Having said that, we can’t see how anybody couldn’t like American tinware, we think it’s great. Whatever the case, Stateside stuff has a presence that cannot be denied. We take our hats (Stetsons?) off to Niall Campbell and Mike Williams for sending us these pics, taken on trips across the pond. Thanks, pardners.

Mike Williams was passing by a church in Joliet, Illinois, one Sunday morning when he spotted this Chevrolet, so he did the natural thing – photographed it.

Niall Campbell photographed this one in Arizona and we think – just think - it is an International Harvester.

Chevrolet Apache is not quite a van, but it’s as close as you’ll get. Picture by Niall Campbell.

It’s downtown Tucson and it’s night – perfect for an atmospheric shot of this Chev. Photo

by Niall Campbell.

This one is definitely an International Harvester pick-up with some sort of addition to the back.

El Camino is a pretty outrageous pick-up as standard. Now, add a set of rather wide wheels and the result is this. Niall Campbell snapped it in Tucson.

Niall spotted this Ford F-100 pick-up in Nogales, Arizona, and duly caught it on camera. It looks pretty innocuous, however, the skull and crossbones on the number plate say otherwise.

Right: The Dodge Ram is one almighty beast of a pick-up, thus, Niall Campbell was impressed when he encountered this line-up in Tucson. He was even more impressed when proprietor of the business Larry H Miller said he’d sold 37 that day. Amazing, especially when you consider that they cost around $55,000 – that’s more than £41,000.

A successful day’s trading, we’d say.

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FROM THE ARCHIVES Paul Guinness delves into his archives to bring you more fascinating brochures, ads and paraphernalia.

RUGGED BEAUTY

HOME ON WHEELS

IN this colourful brochure from April, 1979, Toyota described its latest Hi-lux pick-up as a “rugged beauty”, a practical truck that was “really way ahead of the field”. This was the third generation of Hi-lux, launched in its Japanese homeland in August, 1978 and finding its way to the UK from early the following year. Toyota admitted that the latest Hi-lux was “similar to its predecessor in looks”, although it had been “uprated and updated to give you so much more”. Mechanically, though, not much had changed, as the Hi-lux still used Toyota’s tried-and-tested, 1,600cc, overhead-valve petrol engine with 66bhp (and a top speed of 81mph) on tap.

CI Autohomes – the biggest motor caravan conversion company of the seventies – reckoned that “home is where you take it”, when promoting its latest Trailblazer model, based around the ever-popular Leyland Sherpa. This singlesheet leaflet insisted that the Trailblazer was four vehicles in one: “A comfortable car, a luxurious four-berth motor caravan, a six-seater bus and a load carrier.”

This was prior to the good old B-series engine being replaced by the new OHC O-series, but that was apparently no hardship. CI insisted that the 1,800cc, high-compression engine provided good performance with economy, helping to ensure that any Sherpa motor home was “tough and reliable”.

ROOM ON TOP

THOUGHT to date from the late-fifties, this fold-out leaflet promoting Eversure’s extensive range of roof racks included a section dedicated to commercial vehicles, with no shortage of different racks available for some of Britain’s most popular vans.

They ranged in size from 5ft to 9ft long, with the width ranging from as little as 2ft 10in (for an Austin A30 van) through to 4ft 10in (for the oneton vans from both Austin and Morris).

And what did you have to pay almost 60 years ago for a specialist roof rack?

As little as £10 10 0 for a rack for your A30 van (or Countryman), or as much as £25 for that Austin/Morris oneton van rack.

DODGE DELIVERS

ANOTHER brochure from the late-seventies, this one was issued

by Chrysler United Kingdom to promote the extensive range of Dodge commercial vehicles – which, in the case of its light commercial range, meant Dodge-badged versions of the old Simca 1100 and Commer Spacevan.

Issued in October, 1978, the brochure went on to quote satisfied operators of the entire Dodge line-up. In the case of the 1100-based Dodge High-Top van, they included CadburySchweppes, who reckoned “no other van has such a comprehensive first-year warranty”. As for the Dodge Spacevan, regular customer Glass (Coventry) Ltd insisted it was “the only vehicle of its type that we’ve found acceptable”.

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BACK IN THE DAY T

HIS is one of those locations that you will either instantly be able to pinpoint or not, as the case may be. In other words, you know the area or you don’t and there is no way that we can see of making an educated guess. The three Anglia vans – there’s one tucked in the left-hand corner – obviously belong to the Singer Sewing Machine Company, but that’s no great help, because Singer probably had several branches throughout the country.

However, the C-registration on one of the vans tells us that the picture was taken no earlier than 1965. The Minor van looks smart – then again, it wasn’t that old at the time – as does the Singer Vogue (no relation to the sewing machine company, of course), the upmarket version of the Hillman Super Minx.

The other car, partly out of camera shot, is a Ford Consul Classic, not a great success for the company, but now, rare and quite sought after.

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CLASSIC VAN & PICKUP December 2017

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WE’RE STILL WORKING Classics earning a crust despite advancing years (remarkably similar to the ageing mob at CVP, as it happens).

O

LD commercials never die, they just end up in the pages of CVP. What a lovely thought, eh? It sure is and keeping the spirit of those sentiments alive are Greg Mape, James King, Niall Campbell, Martin Underdown and Richard Harlow. These chaps are avid fans of the classic scene and rarely travel without their trusty cameras at the ready. You will notice, of course, that Citroën H-vans are in the majority and that’s because these French workhorses are currently the darlings of the street food vendors. They are, we are told, cool (whatever that word is meant to mean).

Anyhow, coolness aside, take a look at what our hardy bunch of lads spotted.

Seen at Llandudno by Greg Mape.

Greg Mape owns a Citroën 2CV and, thus, is a fan of the air-cooled French commercials. He spotted this H-van at Colwyn Bay promenade, Wales.

Citroën is in a beautiful shade of blue and dates from 1971. It is reposing, with the nose of a friend looking in, at Beaumaris. Photo: Greg Mape

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CLASSIC VAN & PICKUP December 2017

Maestro van was photographed at New Milton, Hants, by Martin Underdown. He says: “It looks really good and the garage, who own and use it, take a great pride in it.” We reckon it looks so nice that it’s worth two pictures. Martin tells us that he owns a 20-year-old Mercedes Sprinter camper, which will almost certainly be a classic in a few years, plus a 1947 Vauxhall 14 and two classic Saab 900s, which are in use daily. He says: “They all keep me quite busy.” We bet.

It takes a lot of sticky tape to get a van looking like this. Seen at London’s South Bank by our man about town, Jimmy King.

Check out the attractive metallic finish on this H. James King esq did more than that – he photographed it.

Richard Harlow snapped this Sherpa in Malta, still doing its daily duties.

The Marvellous Burger Company chose something really traditional to purvey their products – traditional to France, that is. This Citroën was caught on camera at Standard Quay, Faversham, Kent, and responsible for the catching was Jimmy King.

Suzuki Super Carry is a neat little thing and, judging by the bulky load you can just about make out inside, this one earns its keep. These vehicles were also made as the Bedford Rascal. Thanks to Richard Harlow – he spotted this one in Malta.

You’ve got to hand it to the Maltese, when it comes to colour schemes, they sure know how to make a van look pretty. Aluminium-framed side doors are especially well executed. Transit ice cream mobile was snapped in Malta by Richard Harlow.

Ice cream served in a most exclusive fashion – a Rolls-Royce based van, on duty at Kensington Gardens, London. This splendid vehicle is, we believe, a 20/25 that dates from 1935, which started life as a Hooper-bodied limousine and later served as a wedding car, before being converted for ice cream sales. Niall Campbell was the enthusiast who kindly recorded it in light for us.

The Windsor Cocktail Company imported this three-wheeled Piaggio Ape classic, from Italy, and converted it into a retro-style mobile bar. It’s called the Prosecco Van and proved popular at Kent County Show.

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A Meeting of two Jowetts Brian Culpan was delighted to encounter this pair, because the marque holds fond memories for him.

S

TUDYING the programme for the 2017 HCVS London to Brighton Run, my attention was grabbed by these two small trucks, because both were built by one of my favourite makers – Jowett of Bradford, in the West Riding of Yorkshire. Would they both arrive, at the same time, and could I persuade their owners to park up side by side at the Crystal Palace Park start?

One is pre-war, the other post-war, I’m older than one, but younger than the other – a sobering thought, this should be interesting. The younger one is a small dropside truck from 1950 (called a lorry by its maker), first registered as BJX 400 in the northern mill town of Halifax (where I was born). It was supplied by Jowett agent Carlton Autocars (Hx) Ltd, of Carlton Street, in the town centre, as was my father’s Bradford van. It has had just four owners from new and it is thought to have started out with a market gardener who lived near Bradford, maybe Queensbury, or Shelf (both on the outskirts of Halifax, where there was plenty of open land).

He must have been an important person – councillor, prominent businessman or had considerable influence – to get such a distinctive number, because the rest of us 30

CLASSIC VAN & PICKUP December 2017

in Halifax, at least, those who could afford a new vehicle, had to just take the next number in the sequence.

I’ve seen the original registration documents in the West Yorkshire Archives, held at Wakefield, and was amazed at their basic simplicity – this was taking frugal

A meeting of two very special commercials.

expenditure to the extreme. The Allocation of Marks Register for the series BJX consists of a very small, soft-back notebook that could have come from Woolworth’s for 6d. As a ratepayer, my late father would have been pleased that “council wer’ being careful wi’ ’is brass”. Its thin paper pages

With a mileage of over 340,000, Mike Fishwick’s dropside still looks good.

are lined and each numbered 1 to 999.

Beside each number is scribbled in pencil the supplying garage’s name (Carlton Autocars), the date (26/7/50) and vehicle make (Bradford). Most noticeable is that the number 400 was allocated out of sequence (and this to a cheap van), lower numbers were normally left out and given later to more-expensive vehicles including Rovers and Jaguars. Also, I was able to hold the original confirmation of registration, a small postcard, which clearly states the date (29/7/50) and that it was a van.

Paul Beaumont is Bradford registrar for the Jowett Car Club and his records show the earliest known owner as D Bentley, of Pudsey. I believe he was the second owner.

Pudsey is also near Bradford (and Leeds), but at the other side. He is thought to have looked after it well, but by the time it was acquired by the third owner, Mick Kavanagh, in 1989, it was showing its age and the van’s flimsy rear bodywork was very dilapidated. However he took it to the local Harewood Steam Rally that year.

Mick is a professional vehicle restorer and top motor engineer and he restored it to magnificent condition at his business premises, Cavendish Garage, Keighley, but as a lorry (dropside truck), adopting a factory-built cab. The lettering on the side was J Kavanagh & Son (Mick’s grandfather and father), Coal Merchant and Haulage Contractor, the business having been created in 1920.

upgraded late in the year. Roger adventurously took it on its first HCVS London to Brighton Run in May of the following year and it has made regular appearances at Brighton ever since.

It currently sports chromed hub caps, headlamps and radiator shell, normally only fitted to the Deluxe Utility (a van with rear seats and side windows), but it could have had these embellishment originally,

as buyers could have whatever they were willing to pay for.

Its older companion is a 1937 Jowett 8hp dropside truck that I’d seen on many rallies all over the UK. The factory, in normal production, didn’t build any commercials of this style. In 1937, it was still turning out the older style of van and small lorry.

Therefore, I had always assumed that it was just another cut-down saloon created during the last war when new vehicles were extremely difficult to obtain. However, owner Mike Fishwick has a logbook that shows the vehicle was registered as a truck before 1939, so it wasn’t a cut-down saloon created during wartime shortages and before the austerities of wartime had come into effect. It also seems unlikely that a saloon would be cut down when only two years old. This strongly suggests that it was made at the Jowett factory in Bradford, adopting the front-end sheet metal of a 1937 8hp saloon and the car rear wings. The divided front bumper comes from the larger contemporary 10hp range.

The windscreen has just the one wiper, as was the normal practice – why would the passenger need one? Very attractive, and very stylish, the truck is thought to have been specially ordered from the factory by the late Roy Braddock, a long-standing Jowett dealer in Marple, Cheshire. He wanted a garage runabout, but something

Roger Learmonth’s delightful 1950 truck.

UPGRADING ELECTRICS

The present owner is Roger Learmonth, of Cuckfield, in West Sussex, and it came to him in 2003 through classic car dealer and Jowett enthusiast Peter Rodgers, who restored it, keeping it totally as it came to him except for upgrading the electrics to 12 volts. From early in 1950, the Deluxe Utility was given 12-volt electrics, but vans and lorries had to use up the existing stocks of six-volt items before being

Side view shows just how long, and useful, the load area is.

CLASSIC VAN & PICKUP December 2017

31

Our man Culpan (in rather cool and trendy red cap) in deep discussion with Roger Learmonth.

SPARE PARTS

They say things aren’t what they used to be and when it comes to chrome plating, that is most certainly the case. Just check out the quality on this grille surround.

a little different, more upmarket than the standard factory version.

Two years later, war broke out and as hostilities increased, private motoring was banned, but petrol coupons were available to owners of commercials. It has sumptuous, armchair-sized front seats and a luxuriously trimmed cab, whereas the factory commercials had very small, thinlyupholstered seats with no lumbar region support, in fact, very little support for any other region. Roy Braddock wanted this to be a true dual-purpose vehicle – a working service truck during the week and personal transport at the weekends and evenings – rather like a modern 4x4 SUV. An early photograph of the truck posed outside the dealership shows the original colour scheme was a very dark blue with turquoise lower door panels and bonnet sides (traces are still visible inside the cab door jambs). The old tailboard has been retained in its unrestored condition and features the original shade of dark blue and livery, “Jowett Spares & Service Est 1906, phone Mar 1614”. An original “8hp” badge from a car boot or back panel is fixed below the tailboard. Roy appeared in the photograph posing alongside the truck and wearing immaculate white overalls – obviously a hands-on boss, but not at the oily end.

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CLASSIC VAN & PICKUP December 2017

The business was started by Roy’s father and the signwriting reads “H Braddock & Son Ltd, Auto Engineers, Oldknow Road, Marple”, and gives an establishing date of 1906 (when the Jowett brothers also started their business).

That may just be coincidence or this was one of the first Jowett dealerships.

Following closure of the Jowett factory in 1954, the company kept its promise to provide spare parts for at least 10 years.

When that time had elapsed, a lot of spares were scrapped, 30 tons of them were exported to New Zealand (a significant former market). Jowett owners had then to rely on a finite amount of those vital spares already in the system. So, following the demise of the factory spares distribution network, Braddocks was one of just two such outlets for spares. This truck is regarded by many Jowett enthusiasts as being of very significant historic interest, as it distributed vital spares around the north of England in the 1960s.

Similar conversions could easily be carried out on saloons, since they had a separate chassis – a monocoque body would have presented very challenging difficulties. Its current owner, Mike Fishwick, of Stockport (not far from Marple), can remember the truck running around the area when he was a boy. The total mileage now exceeds an astonishing 340,000. The truck still has its original engine and complete driveline as fitted at the factory all those years ago. DNC was a Manchester, Lancashire, registration series (Cheshire had its own, but Manchester was the nearest large city to the garage). The vehicle is now used only for rallies, but it still travels extensively visiting distant events and is always driven there and back. My sincere thanks to Paul Beaumont, Roger Learmonth, and Mike Fishwick.

There has been confusion over names for many years, so it is worth a mention. The cars were called Jowett and the vans named Bradford, after

Roger Learmonth and daughter Lizzie at the Crystal Palace start of the HCVS run.

Mike Fishwick with his much-travelled Jowett 8hp.

Time for a bit of fun with the Learmonth signwriting.

where they were made. The company wanted to distance the cars from the commercials, but it never worked and, thus, you’ll hear them referred to as Bradfords, Jowett Bradfords, Bradford by Jowett and sometimes just Jowetts. Even official documentation, such as original logbooks, vary in their descriptions – Editor.

PETER RODGERS Car Sales Visit V isit our new website:

www.peterrodgerscarsales.com

Everything from a Jowett to a Jaguar and a Morris to a Micra • Est. 1961 for Vintage to Present Day Cars

1934 JOWETT LORRY Green/black, only one of two remaining. Runs very well. £25000

1926 JOWETT LONG FOUR TOURER, blue/black, last owner 52 years, taxed and tested. Call for further details. £17,500

N

SOO G IN M O C 1980 AUSTIN MINI In flame red, very good runner, MOT £4250

1938 JOWETT EIGHT Green and black, very tidy condition, well known car in Jowett Car Club. £9500

1935 JOWETT 7HP KESTREL British racing green, sunroof, drives very well. £10950

1929 JOWETT LORRY, Pure Vintage, complete rebuild, as it left the factory. In pale blue with new interior and original registration. £POA

1950 JOWETT BRADFORD VAN cc model, dark green, runs very well. £9,950

1971 MORRIS 1000 Traveller in damask red. Total rebuild. £10950

2002 HYUNDAI AMICA low Insurance, only 2700 miles done per year. £1350

1934 AUSTIN 10/4 CABRIOLET Green/black, very nice condition. £17,000

Rear of 310 Bradford Road, Fartown Bar, Huddersfield Tel Tel & F Fax ax 01484 420902 Mobile Mobiile 07885 420902

Under the hammer A look at the auction scene for classic light commercials Ted Connolly reports.

T

HE value of classics has been a big discussion point for a few years, now, and some old vans and pickups are fetching quite incredible sums of money. On the other hand, there are those that have failed to attract more than a few bucks (relatively speaking).

Whatever the case, auctions are a great indicator of what the market’s doing because, after all, it’s the buyers who have the final say. This is not meant to be a scoop, hold-the-front-page for the latest news type of report, monthly magazines don’t work that way. Instead,

the idea is to give you a snapshot of what’s going down (as the trendy types say) at the auctions. Typically, an auction house will charge a 10 per cent buyer’s premium and most of the prices include that. Take a look at the results – highly interesting, you’ll agree.

three times to make sure ample coats were applied. He also had a two-litre V4 Essex engine fitted with stronger diesel gearbox, flywheel and diff. It passed through several hands, undergoing a full restoration along

the way. A splendid example, which had an estimate of £9,000-£14,000, but it soared to a highly-impressive and deserved £16,240.

Sold by Historics at Brooklands.

400 auto box and disc brakes all round. So, quite highly-specced for its year. Before being exported from the United States, it was treated to a full restoration to concours standard, using all-original GM parts, the owner having the intention of displaying it

on the show circuit. American pick-ups are definitely an acquired taste and the buyer, in this case, was prepared to pay £14,280 to acquire this one. Under the hammer at Historics at Brooklands.

FORD TRANSIT DORMOBILE THIS Mark 1 1974 Dormobile Transit is, quite obviously, in fantastic condition and offers an alternative to the super-cool VW camper that a lot of enthusiasts rave about.

It was kept by its first owner for around 28 years until he died and it then went to his son. It is said that the first owner was a manager at the Ford factory and that he ordered the Transit with specially-selected panels and put it through the paint shop

CHEVROLET EL CAMINO

THE El Camino was launched in 1959 and has come in various forms over the years and with a variety of engines. This example dates from 1967 and has a 4.6-litre V8 under the bonnet, three-speed Turbo-Hydramatic

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CLASSIC VAN & PICKUP December 2017

AUSTIN-BADGED MINOR

AS most of you know, the Minor van and pick-up were virtually identical whether called Morris or Austin, the only difference

with the Austin being the badges and crinkle grille. This ute was originally registered on 1 May, 1970, and came up for sale in excellent condition, having had a full body and trim

restoration. Historics at Brooklands dropped the hammer at £7,840, which is a reasonable price all round.

VW PICK-UP

THIS VW Type 2 double-cab pick-up was made in 1974/75 and delivered to Australia. The paper trail ends there and picks up again when it was registered in the UK in 2013. Since then, it has had a new 1,600cc motor and a new black interior. Right-hand drive versions of these crew-cab T2s are rare in the UK and, because they are versatile and offer generous space – and, of course, possess the air-cooled kudos – they are considered desirable. In the event, this one fetched £13,018 at Historics at Brooklands.

AUSTIN A35 PICK-UP

A MERE 475 (some say 477) Austin A35 pick-ups were made and they were dropped by the factory because they simply didn’t sell.

One of the reasons was lack of loadspace and the other was that Customs and Excise classed this little truck as a car and, therefore, it attracted Purchase Tax. In short, they looked pretty, but couldn’t carry much and were too expensive. Now, rarity has made them sought after and they can fetch quite big money. SWVA, at Poole, offered this 1958 example in show condition and with an interesting history – it featured in an ITV documentary about commercial vehicles, produced

by Yorkshire Television, and a newspaper cutting to prove it came with the vehicle, plus a comprehensive file of invoices and photographs.

So, what is an immaculate A35 pick-up worth today? A phenomenal £21,000 (plus buyer’s premium).That even surprised us although, it must be admitted, this little ute is in stunning order.

CLASSIC VAN & PICKUP December 2017

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FORD P100

The Mark 4/5 Cortina-based P100 pick-ups are the ones that most fans go for, but there is very little wrong with the succeeding Sierra-based models, because they make perfectly good workhorses and are gradually earning classic status. However, it cannot be denied that they have still not quite earnt their stripes, which explains why this 1993 example sold for a mere £800 (plus buyer’s premium) at SWVA, Poole, even though it was sound throughout.

AUSTIN A35 VAN

THIS A35 van was professionally restored in the nineties and used sparingly ever since, spending most of its time in dry storage.

SWVA said in the pre-sale literature: “This beautiful little van is much, much better than just good.” By all accounts, they were right, because it does appear to be in splendid condition, complete with a handy rear-seat conversion.

They put an estimate of £4,500-£4,750 on it, but that proved to be far too modest, because it was bought for £10,000 (plus buyer’s premium).

MARINA SUN-TOR TORCARS, of Devon, created a number of compact and attractive campers using relatively mundane vehicles as the basis and one was the Marina Sun-Tor. This one came up at SWVA, Poole, with no reserve and was said to have had a fair bit of work carried out, including a re-con fuel tank and new alternator, battery and brake cylinders. Nevertheless, it was sold for £1,750 (plus buyer’s premium), which we consider to be an extremely low sum, given the rarity and charm of these conversions.

AUSTIN A60 PICK-UP

THE Austin A55/60 pick-ups are difficult to place a value on, especially since in tbeir day, they were mere hacks and not very desirable hacks, at that.

So, Brightwells must have been pleasantly surprised when this example, dating from 1968, was hammered down for £17,200.

Mind you, it’s a prizewinning vehicle and described as better than new.

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CLASSIC VAN & PICKUP December 2017

MY STORY Terry Hunt, from Staffordshire, created a cute Reliant Rialto woodie called Baby Blue, demonstrating both skill and imagination. We’ll let him tell the tale.

I

BOUGHT the Rialto in September, 2015 and the kick-start I needed to start cutting the roof off was when I managed to get hold of a sheet of 8x4 plywood, did some measuring and found out I could make all of the major part of the bed and new rear of the pick-up, so, off I went. I took out the rear seats and belts then I took off the rear door and dismantled all the electrics. My wife, Gill, insisted I covered up and used all of the protection that is needed to work with glass-fibre.

The roof came off very easily and I then did drawings (on the back of a fag packet), went off to Wickes and bought the standard, off-the-shelf, planed-all-round (PAR) timber boards, measuring 6x1 and 4x1. I also decided at this time to buy the wood stain and, firstly, I bought a litre of cedar and to top it off, a litre of light oak, which was enough to complete the project.

The new rear window was achieved by making a template and taking it to a local glazier. He cut me a piece of laminated glass and I fitted it in using the rear window rubber.

The rear door was made out of 2x2 PAR and I strengthened the door jambs by bolting them on to the rear glass-fibre bodywork, I kept the number plate light and fixed it on to the new door over the number plate. The roof rack was made up in a fan pattern to suit the shape of the roof.

The first thing I painted was the woodeffect styling. The way I progressed this was masking up and spraying with a white undercoat, then proceeding to brush-paint the areas with two coats of cedar stain and then a day afterwards, a coat of light oak. The blue was bought from Halfords and after masking-up, it really tried my patience, I am no Chip Foose (he’s a famous American car designer and customiser, in

Load area is well-made and a credit to Terry’s skills.

Storage box has been built in.

case you didn’t know – Editor) and it took my wife to calm me down and continue to try. You know the old saying, if at first you do not succeed, try, try, try again. I think the finish is OK, but my main love is the woodwork, which people say looks very nautical and boat-like.

Even with all the best planning in the world, there are always a couple of CLASSIC VAN & PICKUP December 2017

37

Seats are rear perches from a CitroĂŤn, skilfully adapted by Terry to fit Baby Blue.

Wife Gill has grown to love Baby Blue.

A look of victory as the project progresses.

Tailgate is coming together nicely.

The Rialto is, actually, quite a practical vehicle.

38

CLASSIC VAN & PICKď&#x161;şUP December 2017

The early days when the back and part of the roof have been removed.

mistakes. The first was when I tried to fix the spare wheel on to the roof rack. It did not just look wrong, it was top-heavy, which is dangerous in a three-wheeled vehicle. The second mistake was the wood stain on the bonnet, which was applied in a continuous area from window to grill.

Again, it did not look right and spoilt the design, so I rubbed it out and repainted the border blue.

It took a lot of cutting of the ex-Citroën rear seats and a lot of work to make aluminium framing to fit into the new cockpit but, like all things, a lot of thinking and then doing is the answer.

LEVEL-HEADED ADVISER

I must thank the people who helped me to get the job done. Firstly, Gill, my wife and level-headed adviser. Secondly, my son-inlaw, Richard, who was always there at the end of a phone to encourage me and to come and help when needed. Thirdly, Paul Raybould, my mechanic, who never looked down on my little car and treated me as good as if I had the latest Morgan or Lotus Elite. Paul runs Louise Street Garage, in Gornal Wood, Dudley, and I needed him to sort out a couple of mechanical problems I was having with Baby Blue. He was so impressed with my Reliant truck, he only went out and bought himself one. It will be interesting to see what he intends to do with it and I look at it as a big compliment. I feel as if I am in good company now I have gone through the process of a rebuild.

Terry, who is 75, is a highly-inventive chap and, you may recall, we carried a letter he sent us a few months back, telling us about Baby Blue and also his Miss Marple three-wheeled bike he built with a friend. Hence, he likes to be known as Terry’s Terrific Tricycles. That’s all a bit of fun, of course, but when you look into his working background, you realise he can sure back it up. Indeed, he has many achievements and experiences to reflect on.

He said: “I started off as a carpenter

The great-grandchildren cannot wait for a ride in this little, funny car (their words).

Terry had to fabricate aluminium frames for the seats.

and wanted to learn from the best, so I worked for a shop-fitting company that had a very good reputation. I then worked for many companies and soon got drawn into London, where my claim to fame was overseeing the total refurbishment of Debenhams, in Oxford Street. That was 40 years ago. I then worked in Birmingham, refurbishing various insurance and bank offices. My wife and myself, with our 12-year-old daughter, took seven years out, working for a missionary organization in the UK, USA and Thailand and on our return, I got a job setting up a sets-and-scenery company for an audio-visual company, which was perfect for my set of skills.

Grandchildren Alfie and Gemma with what they call the cool, prehistoric, three-wheeled car.

Local constabulary to the rescue at Wombourne Carnival – the Rialto had a slight case of overheating.

“I invented a product to help my company and left to develop and market it. It was a lightweight framing system that could incorporate front or reverse screens and could go from six inches high to 16ft and could fill any venue, as it was adaptable. It was big boys’ toys and had lots of interest, but like all good things, it was copied and my patent could not stop them. The Government helped me develop it, but I could not afford the marketing. I even had an interest in the USA, but even with friends there to help, we could not protect it. Hey-ho, that’s in the past, lots of fun, but also lots of money lost.”

Thanks for sharing your story, Terry, we love Baby Blue and are also highly impressed by your many achievements – Editor.

Terry and a friend created this Miss Marple tricycle – clever stuff, eh?

CLASSIC VAN & PICKUP December 2017

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Louise Street Garage Est. 1948 Prop. p Paul H Raybould y MOT Testing g Station Class 3&4 Specialist alist Morgan & Classic Car Service & Repairs

90 Louise Street, Gornal Wood, Dudley, West Midlands, DY3 2UB Tel: 01384 252758

CAR BUILDER SOLUTIONS 00 50 S IN ER CT R FO E OV DU O CK AT I PR TO ED ING S M P IM HIP S

Sales & Advice:

01580 891309 or 01580 448007 891

email: info@carbuildersolutions.com

W 1 E 3 E N UE GU S e O W n SI AL NO onli l y l T p a A o c T c C OU your e us a r v i e d g or

or

www.carbuildersolutions.com

ToR orde or o rd e Tel: T 01 0 1s 15 580 58 5 891309 30 09 org07 07964 336183 orlon online asw www.cbsonline w.cb so on ine.c co.uk eder dr lTe al:nd , 0L89 i91 nd r9idor e 9L4a33 n36 e, 83 Stap enlin hne urat t, K en tT Nco 12u 0JJ

IS SiS SUE SU 9 ingPa Pd ag a gem ge 1 Un tUeEd229K o

IT’S HERE - IN BLACK AND WHITE

Y

ES, friends, it is once again time to indulge in nostalgia courtesy of that wonderful medium of monochrome. Nothing, but nothing, tells it the way it was quite like black-and-white photos.

For this month’s images, we must thank the Post Office Vehicle Club, because we have, in layman’s

terms, stolen them from the club’s magazine Post Horn. The club is dedicated to everything connected with the GPO, Post Office and all of the other incarnations over the years and is a genuine fount of knowledge on the subject. If you want to know more, check out www. povehclub.org.uk

Meantime, we invite you to rummage through the family treasures and dig out those old photos. Provided they have some sort of connection with classic light commercials and are reasonably within the laws of blasphemy, sedition and libel then we would welcome them. Conventional post, e-mail or carrier pigeon (carrier bag, for that matter). Over to you.

This photo dates back to March, 1974 and was a publicity shot staged to mark the introduction of 27 more postbus services, which included a route form Sittingbourne to Wormshill, in Kent. Terry Nation, who created the Daleks for Dr Who, lived in one of the villages on that route and two Daleks are seen meeting the postbus Commer. As an aside, it has been said that the name Dalek was taken from the spine of an encyclopaedia volume covering dal-lek, although that explanation is disputed.

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CLASSIC VAN & PICKUP December 2017

The 1969 bilingual Welsh Post Office livery is illustrated on this Minor 50cf van at Monmouth, in September, 1974.

Photograph: P J Relf

Right: A significant event in 1964 was the purchase of 2,000 Thames 307Es for use as mailvans and utilities. AJJ 902B was photographed at Fraserburgh station in July, 1965. Photo: the late R P Doig

Below: Wonderful shot of the Mersey Tunnel opening in July, 1934 and a GPO MorrisCommercial mailvan appears to have taken part in the official procession and is shown entering the tunnel.

CLASSIC VAN & PICKď&#x161;şUP December 2017

43

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S

TRADERS PLEASE CALL TALK MEDIA SALES ON 01732 445325 AUSTIN 1000 VAN

BERLINGO 1600 HDI

POP E494C VAN

2010, 62,000 miles, £2,900. MOT Dec 2017. 4 New Tyres-Recent Full Service. New Timing Belt-All New Filters and Oil etc. Excellent Condition. Lanarkshire. 01698 375605 / 07810566565.

1950, £1,850. Requires full restoration. Many replacement panels include all doors, rear panel, bonnet grille, inner wings. Good chassis. Two engines. Norfolk. 01508 488133.

FORD, FORDSON & THAMES 1972, £6,100. Ex GPO, older restoration. 9 months MOT. History file. Serviced, recent battery, rear shocks, tyre and wheels refurbished, totally reliable. No time to use.

Yorkshire. 0113 286 6148.

F1 305 CI

MORRIS, MORRIS COMMERCIAL MORRIS J2

TRANSIT MK1 PICK-UP 1970, £700. Was camper van. Cab and chassis with 2000cc V four engine and box. Plus loads of spares.

Cardiff. 029 2025 9728.

JEEP CHEROKEE JEEP 1997, 110,000 miles, £1,200 ono. In good condition. Wide wheels, auto LTM edition, tow bar, green. Or swap for good diesel estate or small diesel van. Calais, France. 0033 321 47 49 79.

AUSTIN A 60 HALF TON PICKUP

LAND ROVER

1963, £1,800 ONO. Cab + chassis very rare. Would make a good pickup. Was a box van family owned restoration and needs welding in the chassis. Chassis cab in good condition, last on the road 1987.

Was going to restore myself but do not have the time. Log book and all MOT's. Please call 07775 304760

MORRIS MINOR VAN

PICK-UP

£4,000 or open to sensible offers.

Unfinished project got the mgb engine and gearbox with overdrive giving it 5 speed should not take much more to finish needs a front windscreen phone for more information call. May P/X for bigger classic commercial. 07864 030508.

MAESTRO VAN £795 ONO. Barn fined, body sound, ex telecom still in yellow colour, 1 keeper only telecom. Still original shelves etc. Please call 01202 461373

1949, £15,000 ONO. SBC 409cc 350 auto box headers PS PB, new carburettor, new brakes, lines, servo and master discs and callipers, new wiring, body in great condition, Dolfin gauges. Berkshire. 07702 609763.

FIESTA 1.1 GHIA 1986, 67,000 Miles, £1,995. Service history, last owner 24 years, just out 15 years dry storage, 3 door, MOT Sept 2018, very original. Please call 07873 255657, Berkshire.

1980, £500. Unfinished hybrid. 100 inch, truck cab. 109 inch rear tub.

Mazda/Perkins 4.182 turbo diesel.

Good series 11A bulkhead. Good chassis. Bilstein shocks. Power steering. Needs finishing. Norfolk.

01508 518608.

MERCURY M1

1959, £7,000. Built Sydney Australia.

No rust, repainted. Datsun 1200, 4spd gearbox, power disc brakes.

Featuring red leather and wood trim interior, Morris bulldog embossing, tool and drink cabinets, maps and first aid pockets 07376 210 443

OXFORD 1954, £WANTED. Rear axle. Its bigger than the car. Also want 82.5mm +0.20" Piston for Norton B16 4 and rigid Norton frame. Lloyd.

01209213386.

FORD MODEL A

BEDFORD

PICK UP

CA

1928, £22,000. 10cwt Van, R,H,D 24.9 hp, new and old style logbooks, original reg, totally original, excellent condition. Please call 07850 353155.

South Northamptonshire 1960, £4,000 ono. Engine, gearbox and parts in back, taken out when used on stage, body in vgc, more pics if needed, local transport available. Berks. 07831 138408.

CITROEN

FORD TRANSIT MK1 1966, £2,500 ONO. Ex camper van, elevating roof, solid chassis, requires rebuild, photo's available. Please call 01527 852390 Warwickshire

1952, £15,500. Ford F1 350 cl 5.7cc 350, auto Lockar shifter, new socks, PS IFS new alloy rod, Edelbrook carb, good condition inside and out, great drive. Ascot area. Berkshire. 07702 609763.

MINI

1969, £7,950. Disc brakes front servo. MOT April 2018. 1098 engine, nice runner. Please call 07816 888718

SKODA

MINI 18

FELICIA HI-CUBE

PICK-UP TRUCK

PICK UP TRUCK

€13,500. Left hand drive and has been fully restored taking 3 years this truck is immaculate and drives beautiful. Ireland. 00353 876647695.

1940'S, £OFFERS. With a brand new steel pick up bed and tailgate. Many extra's. Telephone for more details.

Sensible offers. Derbyshire. 01246 465969.

£78,000. Quad 4 engine, truck conversion, digital dash, power windows, old out windshield, dual rear wheels, disc brakes, bench seat, custom upholstery, air suspension, 50 miles since completion. USA. 07708 675932.

2000, 98,000 miles, £500. Vehicle owned last 9 years. Large double doors at rear. Has been used for holidays, only light use. Comes with load of spares for enthusiast. Essex.

01268 413136.

CLASSIC VAN & PICK-UP DECEMBER 2017

45

EMAIL YOUR AD TO: vans@kelseyclassifieds.co.uk VOLKSWAGEN

TYPE 2 DOUBLE CAB PICK UP

VW CARAVELLE CAMPER

1978, £19,000. Very straight and sound. Having lived on a Cape Town vineyard. Documented mechanical.

Work done has MOT but awaiting birth certificate, honest untouched bodywork as imported complete with rear drop sides. Dorset. 01308 862045 / 07791 530618.

1983, £6,000. New clutch, new tyres, new exhaust. Fully equipped camper.

Resprayed. 3 berth, WHB and gas cooker, radio, tow bar. 12 months MOT. New awning. Dorset. 07971 385242.

VW T2 EARLY BAY WESTFALIA

CAMPERVAN

1972, £20,000 ono. Good condition.

Some extras inc awning MOT till Dec 17. Garage maintained. Reg, UBK543K. Dorset. david.howe60@ talktalk.net.

T1 SPLIT WINDOW

VW CONTAINER VAN

VOLKSWAGEN CAMPERVAN

£19,000. In Blue located in south of Spain Sheet metal/Paint: good.

Motor: good Seating: good.

Interior: some details-Matching numbers: good. Origin: Brasil (1973).

Included: new battery 60 Ah, oil, European Customs full documented (DUA), Spanish taxes (IVTM-2017), temporary Spanish plate, and insurance (third parties + assistance) until Mar-2018. If wanted to keep in Spain, I can add "Vehiculo historico plate" for extra +1000€. +34 654 33 54 69.

T2 CROSSOVER EARLY BAY

1979, £26,000. Exterior/interior excellent condition. Mileage: 82,313.

Features: rock n roll double bed, double bed in pop up, CD player, fridge, sink, gas hob, stow away table. Mot til May 2018. Wiltshire.

07766 541749.

VOLKSWAGEN MYSTERY MACHINE

1970, £29,995. California Import, Left hand Drive, full restoration summer 2014, great runner comes with MOT till September 2017, original Van with new canvas and extras. Guildford. 07500 777147.

VW T25

£35,000. Restored in racing green aluminium interior leather seats and belts 7/8 seats new rubbers and seals, billet ally extras and side step original wheels detailed to match rebuilt 1600 twin port AD code dual solex carbs fitted stainless vintage speed exhaust gearbox reconditioned running gear renewed. RHD Ideal camper food van or DJ bus. If unsold will be auctioned Dec 6th London Olympia through Bonhams Please call 00353 (0)857574375

£8,500. This is a very nice van in side and out, fitted with a Subaru 2.5l SOHC engine on a 3 speed auto gear box, MOT March 2018, LHD, sleeps 4, fridge, hob, night heater not tested, waste and fresh water tanks, privacy windows, front captain seats with arm rests, power steering, tow bar, 4 new tyres, full MOT, 2 leisure battery's, very good return on fuel even towing, built for the motorways, engine conversion alone cost £5,500. Suffolk. 07778 805244.

VW DOUBLE CAB PICKUP

VW T5 CAMPER LWB

1983, £9,100 ono. One Owner from New, first Class Body WorkSpare Engine. Partly Restored. West Yorkshire. 07836 794083.

VW EARLY BAY CAMPER 1969, £35,000. California imported rust free. Fully restored 2011 owned since. Wax oiled. Summer miles winter stored in insulated garage.

1776 completely rebuilt motor machined heads 40 twin Webber carbs. Braided hoses, electronic ignition, stainless exhaust, oil cooler, custom Porsche front disks, new rear drums with servo, anti roll bar, empi or original wheels, halogen headlights. Durham. 07515 855472.

T25 WESTFALIA LHD

1989, £10,500 ono. Professionally converted 78PS Panel Van. Fitted out for fun or business. Sound and video.

1915cc Petrol. New stainless steel exhaust. New tyres. Recent Service.

MOT October. Kent. 07721 942732.

VOLKSWAGEN SPLITSCREEN

1987, 200,000 miles, £7,500. I imported the van from California in 2006. 2 litre Petrol Watercooled engine. Power Steering, air conditioning. Engine reconditioned @150K. All original interior and trim in very good condition. Pop top roof. Rare slot in double bench seat converting it from a 5 to a 7 seater.

Serviced by local VW specialist, FSH. West Yorkshire. 07875 299621.

46

1964, £30,000. LHD. Bare metal restoration,original beige grey over Sealing wax red. Single unit smev hob and sink. New headliner, insulation throughout. Fresh 1776cc engine, twin carbs, new ancillaries.

07764 857129

CLASSIC VAN & PICK-UP DECEMBER 2017

1970, £14,995. LHD, full engine refit, rock n roll bed, many original features, converted bed in pop top, MOT May 2018, stored in garage.

Swindon. 07917 830346.

2007, 220,000 miles, £13,500.

2 berth, Bebb R 'n' R bed. Front captain's swivel seats. Smev 9322 hob. Resprayed Spanish green. DRL style headlights. New ABS control module. MOT December 2017. Illness forces sale. East Sussex. 07904 917389.

VW T5.1 TRANSPORTER 4 BERTH

VW LATE BAY CAMPERVAN

1975, £24,000 ONO. Tax Exempt, 1.6 litre Engine, Beautiful condition and great bodywork following restoration. 3/4 Rock and Roll Bed. Lighting and AV setup throughout.

Gas Hob and Sink 3 Berth plus Hammock for over front seats.

Pop-Up Roof. 12 Month MOT Leisure battery plus charging system. Herts.

07538 163882.

22,000 miles, £37,995. T30/102 2.0L TDi. Cruise Control, Rear parking sensors, Skyline roof, MOT compliant Rock n Roll bed, 18 inch White Audi Rota-style wheels, Double swivel front seat, Can 1401 sink and gas hob, Cold running water, Indel B Fridge/freezer, Platinum Leisure Battery (A Rated), Evo-Design Kitchen units, Fully insulated and Sound deadened. robertwoollven@ outlook.com.

TRADERS PLEASE CALL TALK MEDIA SALES ON 01732 445325 ALL OTHER MODELS IVECO 7.5 TON BEAVERTAIL

VEHICLES WANTED

TRAILER

CORGI GIFT SET

CA BEDFORD 1961, WANTED. Main light switch, no 31793F Lucas pull and push about 4 inch long. Please call 02392 470497

ICE CREAM VANS

2003, £2,500 ONO. Needs small amount of work to complete. Starts + drives, good project. Please call 01759 380121.

RENAULT EXTRA VAN

WANTED. Running or not. Any make.

Good price paid. Please call 07776 420039, Herts.

MINI PICK UP WANTED. Don't mind work, for 70 year old man. Please call 07507 220278

MORRIS 1000 VAN OR PICK UP WANTED. Must be running, engine must be good would prefer to be MOTed, do not object to welding.

Cleveland. 01642 491008.

MORRIS MINOR VAN 1990, £5,995. Genuine former Renault service van for 18 years! £££ Spent on restoration including professional re-spray, too much to list. New MOT. Probably the best example you will find! Please call 01424 756010 or 07721 377720

CARAVANS & MOTORHOMES BEDFORD BAMBI MOTOR HOME £POA. Low mileage, 2/3 berth.

Norwich 07854 241177

BEDFORD CF MOTOR HOME 1977, 36,000 miles, £Offer over £500. Spare/repairs. Good engine.

ZF gearbox/rear axle. 2.3cc. Will require trailering away. East Yorkshire. 01377 790080.

BOXER

1954-72, £Up to £4,000, WANTED. Van or pick-up wanted. Come on you farmers, look in that barn, anything considered. Good condition or bad, will travel. Also panels. Lancashire.

07745 470706.

SMALL CAR/CUSTOM VAN £15,000 maximum, WANTED. Minor, Pop, Fordson, etc. Must have V8 Pass Jag IRS. Anything considered.

Top money paid for the right car or van. Can collect anywhere. Dorset.

07966 455810.

THAMES 300E VAN WANTED. Not too dear for old age pensioner. Cash on the spot. Don't mind repair or paint. Bedfordshire.

07507 22078.

1970, £90 ono. 3 parts. Spare wheel.

Wooden base needs slight repair.

New lighting board. Leof suspension.

Ideal for 'Classic Tower'. Cymru (Wales). 07974 820994.

LITERATURE & INFORMATION FOR SALE

£20 inc p&p. Encyclopedia, 200 pages. Complete with road tests and full history of all makes. Trabant, DKW, Wartburg, SAAB, Suzuki, Subaru, Framo vans and Barkas.

Written by Mr Mark Telford in 1992.

Merseyside. 01516 390149.

WORKSHOP MANUAL £48 post free. HM Queen Elizabeth crowned 2nd June 1953, size 4.5 x 3 inches, near mint condition, no damage to enamel. West Sussex.

07527 635372.

£400. V8 diesel engine and auto box out of 70s Cutlass Supreme. No flex ring. Bought for project but won't fit in. Yorks. 0114 284 5020.

CARAVAN IDEAS 1997, £1,300 ono. 16ft 2 berth, full oven, cassette toilet, good clean condition. Merseyside. 01512 925589.

ECCLES SAPPHIRE

1971, £199 or offer. Caravan project.

Classic style, two doors, bay window.

Road worthy. Restoration or luxury garden shed. Come see, make offer, take away. Berkshire. 01628 661985.

£POA. Bonnet for 1968, £30.

Gearboxes for Mk 1 and Mk 2 and 5 speed aly box, £50 each.

Hertfordshire. 01442 832744.

TRAILERS FOR SALE TRAILER

£450. Car dolly trolly made by McArdle Fabrication of Coventry.

Ideal towing cars behind motor homes. Fully braked winch. Full lighting. Spare wheel. Very strong.

Nigel, please call again. Devon. 01822 855651.

ENAMEL BADGE

TWO STROKE CARS OF THE PAST

GMC

TRANSIT SPARES

£Offers. Chaplins Transport European Services. Aberdeenshire.

07931 44502 or 01224 642964.

2000-2003, £60. Volume 1-4 complete. Includes first ever magazine. All in excellent condition. Please call 07779 641406, Nottinghamshire.

FLETTNER VENTILATOR £50 includes P+P. Suitable for Van or Caravan. Good working condition.

Plus instruction for fitting rotates for air circulation. Dudley. 01902 682057.

LAND ROVER

2002, £9,750 ono. Campervan, converted by professional joiner, 2 berth, toilet / washbasin stainless steel hob sink over grill long MOT. West Yorkshire. 01484 667362.

EARCH IMPEX RENAULT MAGNUM

CLASSIC VAN AND PICKUP MAGAZINES

PARTS FOR SALE

1975, £VARIOUS. Back tub, £100.

Doors, complete, £80. Roof with sides, £100. Bonnet, £35. Rear door with glass, £80. 4x wheels 205x16 with tyres, £85. Essex. 01702 343266.

£40.00 inc P+P. 12 chipperfields crane truck + circus cage trailer with lions excellent condition v minor paint chips. Please call 07786385415

NUMBER PLATES £12 post free. BMC publication No AKD579D, dated 1956, with updates, covers Morris Oxford Series II and III, Morris Cowley, Traveller Series II, III and IV.5 ton van and pickup. Notts.

01909 721464. £3,000. Personal registrations for sale on certificates. Please call 07939 229200

MISCELLANEOUS FOR SALE

TROJAN MODEL 453

CORGI 1137 FORD

£65.00 inc p+p. Excellent n/ mint condition in original box with mechanic figure box end flaps missing. Please call 07786385415

1950-1960, £50. 15 CWT van blue excellent condition, model 453 "Beefy oxo" No box, post free. Staffs.

01283 566265.

CLASSIC VAN & PICK-UP DECEMBER 2017

47

COME TO THE UK’S BIGGEST

NEW YEAR’S DAY CLASSIC GATHERING

8 8 9 1 e r p L L A

VINTAGE, CLASSICS, COMMERCIALS, MOTORCYCLES & PRE-BOOKED and PRE-PAID CLUBS on the MUSEUM SITE

MODERN SPORTS and SUPERCAR DISPLAY PARKING in the HEIGHTS Parking in The Heights for ALL other vehicles

ALL WELCOME

Gates open at 9am

Please follow event signage on the day Standard admission charges apply

CLUBS contact Donna Hopton on 01932 857381 ext 253 www.brooklandsmuseum.com for details Brooklands Museum, Brooklands Road, Weybridge, Surrey KT13 0QN

NEXT MONTH

PERFECT PARTNERS Classic Minivan, classic garage – as we said, perfect

JANUARY ISSUE ON SALE Friday 15 December

CLASSIC VAN & PICKUP December 2017

49

TOM BUCK LE Fond – well, mostly – memories of the J4 and its quirks.

W

HY do you like classic vehicles?

Is it because you remember driving a particular model in your heyday? Or maybe a relative owned one years back? Or maybe you just like them for no apparent reason? In my case (and you knew I’d get round to talking about me, didn’t you?), I like all old machinery, but a lot of my enthusiasm for light commercials is based on being there the first time round. A fair bit of the stuff that appears in Elastic Band and Stick-up was clunking around when I were a lad (relatively speaking).

One of the first jobs I had was on a building site, taken to fill in the weeks of my school holidays. I was able to earn a few bob and it prevented me from vegetating. Come on, a break from school was welcome, but six or seven weeks in the summer was just too much spare time. The company I worked for provided transport for the men and it would make several stops every morning on a round trip of about 30-miles to the site. The blokes would pile in, light fags, generally stink and swear a lot.

This all happened in a Commer PB, kitted out very roughly to form a minibus. It had inward-facing bench seats, which appeared to have been fashioned from scaffold board, and a foul-tempered column gearchange which refused to allow first to be engaged until the driver – a man of few words, most of them utterly unprintable – had wrestled brutally with the stick and roared the entire contents of his limited vocabulary so loudly that passers-

CLASSIC and

VAN pick-up

Classic Van and Pick Up Kelsey Media, Cudham Tithe Barn, Berrys Hill, Cudham, KentTN16 3AG EDITORIAL Editor: Ted Connolly Email: van.ed@kelsey.co.uk Special contributors this issue: Russ Harvey, Brian Culpan, Martyn Barnwell, Steve Osmond, Terry Hunt, Tom Buckle.

Art Editor: Chris Hussey ADVERTISEMENT SALES Ad Sales: Catherine Rowe, Tandem Media Ad Sales Tel – : 01233 228750 Ad Sales Email – van.ads@kelsey.co.uk Team Leader: Melanie Cooper.

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MANAGEMENT Managing Director: Phil Weeden Chief Executive: Steve Wright Chairman: Steve Annetts Finance Director: Joyce Parker-Sarioglu Retail Distribution Manager: Eleanor Brown

50

by would spin round on the pavement.

The interior window frames were aluminium, but had become so stained with nicotine that they looked like they had been given a coat of dark-oak varnish. That all sounds a bit uninviting, but it was actually quite good fun rattling around to and from work with that motley bunch every day.

Another van I particularly remember is the J4. A friend – although beer-partner at the local battle cruiser would be a more accurate description – was a builder and used one as his daily transport. This was in the late-seventies and the J was still reasonably common, although a lot of the geezers preferred the Transit for its ease-of-driving and space.

We got talking over an ale or two and I mentioned that I did a bit of work on old jalopies as a hobby. The Morris needed a service and he entrusted the job to me. It wasn’t difficult, even though engine access was a bit limited, and I comfortable finished it in a morning, popping up the pub that night to collect my reward and them promptly dispensing it over the bar.

I did not drive it on that occasion and had that pleasure the next time he needed work carrying out. Some miscreant had clouted the rear offside and dented the quarter panel. I simply couldn’t get access from behind, so I got rid of the dent with great chunks of body filler and it came out fairly reasonably.

I delivered it back to his house and found the first mile or so quite unnerving. Because you sit over the front wheels, any suspension movement is exaggerated and I thought I was

Audience Development Manager: Andy Cotton Brand Marketing Managers: Debra Hagger and Nikolas Lovely Events Manager: Kat Chappell Publishing Operations Manager: Charlotte Whittaker SUBSCRIPTIONS 12 issues of Classic Van and Pickup are published per annum UK annual subscription price: £46.60 Europe annual subscription price: £61.99 USA annual subscription price: £61.99 Rest of World annual subscription price: £67.99 CONTACT US UK subscription and back issue orderline: 01959 543747 Overseas subscription orderline: 0044 (0) 1959 543747 Toll free USA subscription orderline: 1-888-777-0275 UK customer service team: 01959 543747 Customer service email address: subs@ kelsey.co.uk Customer service and subscription postal address: Classic Van and Pickup Service Team Kelsey Publishing Ltd , Cudham Tithe Barn , Berry's Hill, Cudham Kent TN16 3AG, United Kingdom

CLASSIC VAN & PICKUP December 2017

going to take off, honestly, it was like being aboard a space-hopper. I now realise that the front shocks were probably worn, which left the rebound virtually unchecked. I did get used to it, of course, but the steering was incredibly heavy and the gearchange an acquired art. It was notchy and imprecise and (a bit like the Commer I mentioned earlier) finding first gear required much ramming of the lever, accompanied by an embarrassing amount of crunching noises.

Anyway, going back to the dent, and the job came out well enough for him to ask me to carry out a complete re-spray. I should never have taken it on because a) my compressor was not powerful enough and kept running out of puff halfway through panels, and b) my garage was too small and the paint job had to be carried out in the open air. The final coats were applied on a hot summer’s day, which meant they were too dry and the finish was flat, but I managed to retrieve the situation to a degree by applying clear lacquer.

Unfortunately, this had to come out of the price I’d quoted, so the job was not a very good earner and a lot of hassle. Nevertheless, it was an educational exercise and whenever I see a J4 these days, I can appraise it with realworld experience, rather than pure nostalgia.

As I can the Commer PB. And days working on that building site. Health and Safety, political-correctness, industrial etiquette and all of that palaver didn’t exist back then. The site foreman sacked a bloke and he retorted: “What did you do that for, I haven’t done anything?“ The foreman replied: “Exactly.”

WEBSITE Find current subscription offers and buy back issues at shop.kelsey.co.uk/van Already a subscriber?

Manage your subscription online at shop. kelsey.co.uk/myaccount www.kelseyshop.co.uk CLASSIFIEDS Tel: 0906 802 0279 (premium rate line, operated by Kelsey Publishing Ltd. Calls cost 65p per minute from a BT landline; other networks and mobiles may vary. Lines open MondayFriday, 10am-4pm) For complaints or any queries about the premium rate number, please call 01959 543723, available 9-5pm, Mon-Fri. For all motoring titles (inc Classic Van) CARS@KELSEYCLASSIFIEDS.CO.UK c/o Talk Media Sales Kelsey Media, PO Box 13, Cudham, Westerham, Kent. TN16 3WT. DISTRIBUTION Seymour Distribution Ltd, 2 East Poultry Avenue, London, EC1A 9PT www.seymour.co.uk Tel: 020 7429 4000 PRINTING

William Gibbons & Sons Ltd Kelsey Media 2017 © all rights reserved. Kelsey Media is a trading name of Kelsey Publishing Ltd. Reproduction in whole or in part is forbidden except with permission in writing from the publishers. Note to contributors: articles submitted for consideration by the editor must be the original work of the author and not previously

published. Where photographs are included, which are not the property of the contributor, permission to reproduce them must have been obtained from the owner of the copyright. The editor cannot guarantee a personal response to all letters and emails received. The views expressed in the magazine are not necessarily those of the Editor or the Publisher. Kelsey Publishing Ltd accepts no liability for products and services offered by third parties.

Kelsey Publishing Ltd uses a multi-layered privacy notice, giving you brief details about how we would like to use your personal information.

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Classic Van is available for licensing worldwide.

For more information, contact bruce@ bruceawfordlicensing.com

Cudham Tithe Barn, Berry’s Hill, Cudham, Kent TN16 3AG. Tel: 01959 541444 Fax: 01959 541400 www.kelsey.co.uk

www.sealey.co.uk

Electrostart® Batteryless Power Starts It’s as easy as: 1. Connect 2. Energise 3. Start!

NEW

C

PRODUCT

12V OR

12V/24V

Features Simple and safe to use with no long term battery storage issues.

A

NEW

PRODUCT

B

NEW

All units can be fully energised in a matter of minutes.

D

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Innovative technology with no internal battery so no need to wait hours for the unit to charge before use.

Lightweight and compact for easy handling and storage, yet still delivers the same result as heavy, bulky, lead acid battery equivalents.

Output

Output Start Peak (EN)

List Price

Exc. VAT

Inc. VAT

A

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E/START1100

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£129.95 £184.95 £219.95 £439.95

£155.94 £221.94 £263.94 £527.94

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