Friday 30 November 2012

Body number plates.

I have another "bee in my bonnet " very un-apt for a bonnet less J van.
Our vans have chassis number and these are recorded on the vehicle "log book".
It has been recently felt that BODY numbers should also be recorded while we still can.
The reason, well lately some vans have turned up that have lost their chassis plates as they have been stripped of parts/larger engines fitted etc and also with out the "registration plates" it is very difficult to date a J type.
You can of course date it from the Triplex glass code if the glass exists.
Now I would like to go one step further and the Oz and Nz group (MCJTV) have been a great help in various owners supplying data.
I would like to record the following.
 Front axle number
 Rear axle number,
Chassis number,
Engine number (original if known),
Gearbox number and
Body number.
(Remember this has never been recorded apart from on the factory production record).

The Body number is on the right hand side of the Nuffield Metal Products plate, Fixed to the body behind the grill and below the radiator. In this case body J 41842.
Why do I want to do this? To help others, the list of year by year production figures at the bottom of this blog have helped a few owners to date their vans, body numbers could help to increase the accuracy of this list.
This could help owners who have had age related Number plates issued and also project vehicles out there that have NO identity.
As there could be a small risk of vehicle identity theft, this data base would NOT be published but genuine enquires would be answered.
Owners names, addresses, phone number, e-mail address or vehicle registration numbers are NOT required and will not be recorded.
I doubt I will get more than a handful but I hope at least the owners that are currently doing restoration projects will take the time to make a note of their Body number. Go on surprise me, give me all your numbers.

Saturday 24 November 2012

An Austin 101 was for sale on e-bay Australia.

An Austin 101 was for sale on e-bay Australia recently, the e-bay pictures made it look better than it is. Mr JB kindly went and view the van for me to show it "warts and all".
Thanks JB for sending me these pictures.



















Another J van for sale.

E-bay australia, item number 300822609053,
50s Austin Morris Commercial
Ex Bakers Van
Has spare steering wheel and column.
My father has had it for the past 25 years.
All in tack.
Extensive rust
Very rare
Very cheap!



A nice "B" series fitted to this J, what a sensible modification, or more
likely this is a JB van but wrong badge on the front

Add caption




Monday 19 November 2012

Historic Commercial Vehicle Show Melbourne 2012

Historic Commercial Vehicle Show Melbourne 2012,
The best line up of J vans and owners ever.
Two J's four JB's and one Austin 101, a total of seven vans and 8 owners a fantastic gathering, well done JB for getting them together.
For further pictures check out JB blog. http://aq62uumrcool.blogspot.co.uk/

Onto the NEC show,
Here are a few more pictures from the show, for others check out the J type registers web site. I was unable to go but a friend from work went and came back with over 400 pictures. I have chosen just a few that caught my eye.










 Yes a gold plated car..
Unique Wolseley 6/80 pick-up truck.



Saturday 17 November 2012

J types at the NEC this weekend.

The big classic car gathering is happening this weekend at the NEC Birmingham.
Here are a couple of pictures of the stand being set up on Friday.
The stand is in Hall 11, so do make a point of popping in to see the 3 J's on display.


749 VRF captured  on its way to the show. Picture taken by Mr Dave Gothard and posted on the CCMV Yahoo group site.

Monday 12 November 2012

Period J van.

Period J van in action.
http://youtu.be/Kiax2s5F0D4