Current Scene

Worldwide, around 600 ‘J’ type vehicles are known to exist, a little more than 1% of the production total. About 150 of these are in fairly regular use particularly during the rally season with around 75 in use on a frequent basis. 

The Cumberland Pencil Company still have a ‘J’ type which they have owned from new. The van can be seen outside their Museum at Keswick, in Cumbria, as a static display. Granelli’s Ices of Macclesfield have a coachbuilt  ice cream van which they have owned from new. This can be seen on display at their premises, and occasionally at local rallies.

Even now many ‘J’ types are used commercially all over the world. Examples have been recorded still hard at work in Australia, Burma, India, New Zealand, Tasmania and Thailand.

Vehicles very occasionally appear for sale in the ‘Review’, the newsletter of the J, JB and 101 Register and in the classic car press. These are usually snapped up very quickly. More vehicles in ‘scrap’ condition are now being restored as the supply of better prospects diminish. The best place to see ‘J’ type vans is at one of the get-togethers of the J, JB and 101 Register. The main annual event is at Tatton Park, near Manchester, which is usually scheduled for the first weekend in June.