For all Morris J type Vans, Morris JB vans and (BMC 50's vehicles)Torque! e-mail fiftiesvehicles@mail.com. The copyright of any photograph on this blog-site will remain with its owner. No infringement intended.
Thursday, 4 September 2014
Friday, 22 August 2014
Blenheim's classic car show.
Blenheim’s David Clark now owns his dream car – but it wouldn’t out run anything, not even speed limit-abiding traffic.
But it’s that yester-year charm and sense of fun of his newest pride and joy, a cream-coloured 1954 Morris J Van, that Clark will share with visitors at CRC Speedshow, New Zealand’s biggest automotive and motorsport event, being held in Auckland this week. Clark joins 40 other classic car and motorcycle owners in the Classic Cover Insurance Classic Show, a new classic show which is part of the eighth edition of CRC Speedshow at Auckland’s ASB Showgrounds over the weekend of 19 and 20 July.
The Morris van is something Clark has wanted for more than 12 years.
“I saw one advertising a cafĂ© on the side of the road on the way to Takaka,” he explains. “Then I saw one (a Morris J van) advertised earlier in this year and I grabbed the opportunity. My wife Nikki tells me how caring she is to have bought me the magazine subscription the van was advertised in!”
Clark’s van was originally used to deliver goodies and materials when it was owned by Boons Bakery in Christchurch. The last owner, Graham Murray, from Paparoa, Christchurch, restored the van to its current condition in 1995. Two years ago it starred in a Canadian television advertisement for mayonnaise filmed in New Zealand. Everything on the van is original, and Mr Murray kept exceptional records for the vehicle, says Clark.
New owner, new name, and now the van is affectionately known as ‘Leslie Morris’ in a salute to legendary Kiwi film, ‘Goodbye Pork Pie’. Leslie Morris was the fictional licensed owner of the yellow Mini which made the mad run from Northland to Invercargill.
But unlike Pork Pie, the Morris J wouldn’t out run anything – not even speed limit-abiding traffic. “I’ve noticed the oil pressure gauge goes higher than the speedo,” Clark says with a smile.
One thing the Clark’s are looking forward to while being in Auckland is taking the van over the harbour bridge.
“I’m looking forward to cruising over the Auckland Harbour Bridge – with no seat belt on and the sliding door open, even if it is pretty cool this time of year.”
Clark is a self-confessed enthusiast of fine automobiles. He’s also the director of Wadsco Commercial Vehicles in Blenheim. “The Morris J is my weekend vehicle,” he adds proudly.
The Morris van is something Clark has wanted for more than 12 years.
“I saw one advertising a cafĂ© on the side of the road on the way to Takaka,” he explains. “Then I saw one (a Morris J van) advertised earlier in this year and I grabbed the opportunity. My wife Nikki tells me how caring she is to have bought me the magazine subscription the van was advertised in!”
Clark’s van was originally used to deliver goodies and materials when it was owned by Boons Bakery in Christchurch. The last owner, Graham Murray, from Paparoa, Christchurch, restored the van to its current condition in 1995. Two years ago it starred in a Canadian television advertisement for mayonnaise filmed in New Zealand. Everything on the van is original, and Mr Murray kept exceptional records for the vehicle, says Clark.
New owner, new name, and now the van is affectionately known as ‘Leslie Morris’ in a salute to legendary Kiwi film, ‘Goodbye Pork Pie’. Leslie Morris was the fictional licensed owner of the yellow Mini which made the mad run from Northland to Invercargill.
But unlike Pork Pie, the Morris J wouldn’t out run anything – not even speed limit-abiding traffic. “I’ve noticed the oil pressure gauge goes higher than the speedo,” Clark says with a smile.
One thing the Clark’s are looking forward to while being in Auckland is taking the van over the harbour bridge.
“I’m looking forward to cruising over the Auckland Harbour Bridge – with no seat belt on and the sliding door open, even if it is pretty cool this time of year.”
Clark is a self-confessed enthusiast of fine automobiles. He’s also the director of Wadsco Commercial Vehicles in Blenheim. “The Morris J is my weekend vehicle,” he adds proudly.
Wednesday, 20 August 2014
Monday, 18 August 2014
Hyde Park ice cream vans.
Recently pictured in Hyde Park selling ices.
942 BYY (ex GPO van) has now been joined by 9284 WB.
Looking like a fresh restoration, here is what it use to look like, when owned by Preston & Sons.
Then restored to Tartaglia's livery.Nice to see it out and about.
Tuesday, 12 August 2014
Friday, 8 August 2014
More period pictures.
Moving on to the present day, Supermarket windows, a reflection on modern times?
This weekend sees the first ever Classic Van and Pick-up Show at Gaydon in Warwickshire. The J-type Register will have a display there with, if all goes according to plan, two J-types, five J/Bs and Ken Cooke’s Austin 101.
Tuesday, 5 August 2014
E-bay items for sale.
There is a Solex JB or 101 carburettor for sale on e-bay.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/morris-carburettor-/321482865628?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item4ad9df3bdc
This seller also has a new old stock side valve J type water pump.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Morris-J-Type-Water-pump-/321482818019?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item4ad9de81e3
Wednesday, 30 July 2014
New owners video's of his J van.
Mark the new owner, bought this van very recently for a real bargain price. He seems to work at www.bigshedcustoms.co.nz. I wonder if he will restore this van to original specification or do a full custom job. Time will tell.
Saturday, 26 July 2014
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A list of chassis number and registration dates.
J/R 010 10/1949--J/R 649 1949--J/R 755 1/1950--J/R 1061 12/1949--J/R 1102 12/1949--J/L 1518 1950--J/R 1612 03/1950--J/L 2935 1951--J/R 4491 11/1950--J/R 6050 12/1950--J/R 6187 1/1951--J/R 10916 12/1951--J/R 10972 1/1952--J/R 14776 12/1952--J/R 145931/1953--J/R 15455 1/1953--J/R 16261 03/1953--J/R 18124 1952--J/R 19902 12/1953--J/R 20658 02/1954--J/R 21720 12/1953--J/R 23555 1954--J/R 24274 1954--J/R 25618 12/1954--J/R 25079 1/1955--J/R 25741 05/1955--J/R 29869 11/1955--J/R 30963 11/1955--J/R 3183110/1955--J/R 32465 11/1955--J/R 33340 1/1956--J/R 35466 1/1957--J/R 35671 12/1956--JB/MR 37200 06/1957--JB/MR 39547 12/1957--JB/MR 39012 1/1958--JB/MR 39648 1/1958--JB/MR 42533 1/1959--JB/MR 42677 12/1958--JB/MR 43367 1959--JB/MR 45648 1/1960--JB/MR 45693 12/1959--JB/MR 46009 02/1960--JB/MR 47648 12/1960--JB/MR 47907 12/1960--JB/MR 48069 01/1961--JB/MR 48219 01/1961
Approximate Production data for each year.
1949 750 vehicles -1950 5347 -1951 5051 -19524098 -1953 5027 -1954 6000 -1955 6894 -19563169 -1957 3284 -1958 3131 -1959 2965 -19602516 -1961 362
Total produced 48620