In storage for 30 years!

Yes SXH 241 a GPO telephone planners van has been quietly resting for 30 years and has recently surfaced.

Its in fair condition and is already under restoration with it's new owner who has already restored one J type, so he knows what to expect.

 I was sent the picture below as another example of that OUCH moment. The picture was taken in 1953 at the bottom of Booker Hill in High Wycombe.

A Leeds mini-bus has an OUCH moment.

Ouch, that's going to hurt in the morning.

A nice Morris J type, registered in Middlesex in March 1956 has come to a sudden stop.
Fairweather Ltd of London N 10, now need another van.

NZ J van for sale.

• Original Drivers and Workshop Manuals included, not very often this happens, along with any previous written history from previous owner if we still have.
  
• I'm the third owner since new, I remember going to school in this van, even got to drive it too.
  
• Was owned by local butcher since new and my father purchased off him once he retired....
  
• Repowered with Renault engine and Toyota older style 5-speed gearbox so tough as bricks (North-South, 5 on the floor, 4cyl, configuration), Austin Princess Wiring loom and dashboard.
  
• Needs bodywork, but this is certainly a good example at this price.
  
• Collection is from Palmerston North and we will need 2-3 weeks notice as currently bring used as storage in our workshop.

Shipping is the full responsibility of the purchaser. If purchaser is outside Palmerston North, New Zealand we will prepare van for shipping from collection address.

Stunning original van, slightly modified but could easily put back to standard.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1955-MORRIS-COMMERCIAL-J-VAN-FRONT-SLIDING-DOORS-/130972338822?forcev4exp=true

The Buckingham Palace hire

R G Jones have just got around to updating their web site about all their recent major events they have tackled.
An extract from the R G JONES web site, it made me smile.
As Warrant holders, RG Jones participated in the exhibition (along with more than 200 others) while simultaneously providing sound reinforcement for the Gala concerts. Our stand exhibiting an original Morris J-type — the same as the one used by the original founder Ronald Geoffrey Jones back in the 1920’s.
I had no idea Morris J vans went back that far.

RGK 535 is for sale again.

The e-bay advert states, Well where do I start... RGK 535. (Fleet number U69871, chassis J/R 32354, as quoted in the POVC Telecom Vehicle Guide, great value at £10.) I've been wanting one of these for years. bought this in Feb but now have decided to emigrate and everything has to go.
It is a 1950 telephone engineers van. I wanted to find a chassis cab to convert into an Ice cream van (yes Mr J type, AN ICE CREAM VAN) Aimed at Me? Just because I like originality.

As with all UK J types the history of this van is well known, when the heating engineer company in Bourne end finished with it, they retired it to their orchard for many years (they are still around, in business and I have spoken to the owner who remembers driving it up until the '70s!!)

The chassis is really good as is the cab area. The 2 rear doors are usable and I have acquired 2 spare ex royal mail side doors which are included. The body is very poor and if restoring to standard both sides will need replacing but it is a pretty straight forward job and the interior ribbing is all in situ and good nick. The roof panel is loose but intact. The engine was scrapped by the previous owner but this did not concern me as I was going to install a modern 3 cylinder diesel.
I have the original crank if someone who needs it which I will gladly give to them.
The V5c is in my name.
This van needs restoring in whatever guise is your cup of tea. A usable ice cream/vending van is worth around £100K so well worth doing.
Located in Suffolk.

OBL 432's last booked rally of 2013.

OBL 432's last booked rally of 2013. With the next six weekends fully booked on family and friends events I took the opportunity to attend a classic car gathering at the Royal Windsor farm shop.
Here are a few of the other vehicles that were there.
A massive turn out, far above expectations but the very good weather seemed to be the key.

 Yes I was over come with the heat, I just had to take a nap in the shade of the van.

Check out this video for lines of New Morris J vans.

ALL IN A DAY.

Click on the picture to play the video.
Shame its not in colour....

http://www.britishpathe.com/video/all-in-a-day-reel-2/query/light+commercial+vehicles

The end of July,

The end of July, my 2nd vehicle rally of the year our local village Flower Show.

Three more events planned for this year, the longest day has passed, the nights are drawing in and somebody mentioned "only 150 days till Christmas". People do know how to cheer me up.

Project 101 sells on e-bay.

Sorry about not posting much lately, I just wanted the proud moment of the JB van going into Buckingham Palace to stay at the top of this blog for as long as possible.
Latest news, a project 101 sells on e-bay for a very nice price of £7650, a very straight body needing re-assembly. There were plenty of spares included which could be sold if not used on the restoration, all in all a very fair price for an easy project.
I understand it has been purchased and will be traveling up to Scotland shortly.