Peter Bateman writes: From the Great Southern Land comes a tale of restoration and renewal. Where there are bush fires around every pocket of undergrowth Will Hughes is making progress on J/B 41298. As can be seen from the photographs the van has not ventured too far from the original colours when it was a Bakers Crust van in Goulburn NSW.  Will expects to bring the van to Sydney for next year’s Australia Day CARnivale.  2014, to the best of my knowledge marks the 65th anniversary of the J type coming to Australia.  Let’s aim for ten J types at Macquarie Street Sydney. Even UK J-typers are invited.

It has been a struggle to find time to post things recently, so I’m going to try and post something every day for the next couple of weeks, leading up to the Classic Car Show at the NEC – 15/16/17 November 2013. We’re aiming for FIVE vans to be on our stand, more details to follow!

Iain Booth in New Zealand has unearthed a van previously unknown to us. It becomes the 303rd J survivor known to the Register. He was contacted by its owner, and has sent this photo. It is fitted with a Mark II Zephyr engine but the original engine, rear axle and gearbox are with it. At least it seems that the bodywork is reasonably intact, albeit rusty in all the usual places. A great restoration project.