Posted on November 19th, 2012
Meanwhile in Australia…
There was a HISTORIC COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SHOW here in Melbourne Australia 18.11.12 (An annual event)
We managed to get 7 Vans to the show – not a bad effort ( 2 on trailers and 5 roadworthy and driven).
John Brooksmith
Front view, Far left to Right
Nick Fuller Dark Green, A J with a J/B Engine
John Heir Black primer (he borrowed our J/B grill for one picture). He has a roller door at the rear
John Brooksmith Blue ( We have a J/B grill and a 101 grill but it is registered as a J/B because my initials are JB)
http://aq62uumrcool.blogspot.com.au/ Now registered as 07450H
Mike Red and White, MCJTV
Paul Howell Green J/B with a black J Grill (Ex New Zealand Van) http://jbmorrisvan.blogspot.com.au/
Sandy Payet Predominantly off white (to be resprayed)
Andrew Trollope Biscuit colour. He is only the second owner of the van and it is concourse. http://hdu072.blogspot.com.au/
Posted on October 25th, 2012
Kelly Ashton’s V8 J type makes Rat Day 2012
It was promised in this blog many months ago that Sydney’s annual GoodGuys Rat Day would sport three J type vans. Optimism was there in spades but reality showed me to have fibbed. There in a dusty well worn patch of Gnawley Park, Taren Point was a large group of spectators paying compliments to only one J type van. Kelly Ashton’s Ford V8 powered J. Kelly had his J type exhibited “in the build” and what a crowd it pulled. Kelly was almost hoarse after fielding questions and compliments for four hours. As seems normal these days someone will turn up and wax lyrical about having a J in the past or one in the shed. This time it was Kelly who dragged me out of the crowd shouting “Pete, Pete here quick. This bloke knows of a few vans” and he proceeded to list this one and that and I just had to say, “You must be Steve Day”…Yes! the bloke almost fainted. Steve was the chap I bought JB 41717 from in 1981. We all had a jovial time but I could not get any “new” finds on that day.
Much work is still to be done on Kelly’s V8 J but that first showing has been & gone and the next one will come with SOUND!
I wake each morning wondering if today is that One day….
Peter Bateman – Syd’sKnee – Oz
Posted on July 30th, 2012
JB/46628 is a very lucky J type. Phil Knight (the custodian) has been a model maker and model builder in his ‘spare’ time since forever! You know ‘spare time’,… time as in, going on holidays with the family, watching ‘uninteresting’ television, waiting for the kettle to boil or even the time other folk spend gasping on a ciggy? Phil’s model collection is best calculated by mathematicians but it does cover the walls of his workroom, study and large family lounge room. Comprehensive is a good word.
His latest feat is a JB, 1960 he says but I think he just went outside and measured up JB 46628. This photograph is of the ‘master’ body. There are about 36 other parts which go to make up the final kit, even the instrument binnacle is a stand alone piece.
A chap will need to devote a skilled hand to get Phil’s results but he assures me I could do it! I will need to be a very ‘controlled’ cove indeed. The detailing is commendable. Remember whilst looking at the van body in this snap everything has been made from scratch. Don’t bother to enquire of the hours spent. It’s only Phil’s “spare time”! Oh, the production run should start in late August.
Check out
http://www.thepartsbox.com/ Phil has done the master for his chum who owns the Partsbox and the model will be sold only thru them. Members might have some ‘spare time’.
Peter Bateman
Posted on July 17th, 2012
Tony Clipstone, the owner of J/R 649, the earliest known running J-type in the world, lost a courageous battle against cancer in Adelaide on the 15th July, 2012. He was 68.
Clipstone had a lifelong love of his beloved Morris vehicles and was the proud custodian of a Z van, a Minor van, an LC3 and an LC5. But his prize and passion was J/R 649. The LC5 fitted Tony’s madcap sense of humour as it enabled him to exercise his passion for the character of Claude Greengrass from the television program Heartbeat. His exploits at rallies and parties dressed as “Claude” were renowned.
It will forever be to Tony’s credit that J/R 649 has been preserved in original condition and unaltered.
Tony Clipstone was defined by his wit, humanity and sincerity. By profession he was a pharmacist. All comers were greeted with his openness and engaging personality. They were far too droll if they left without a smile. In the late ’90s, Tony ventured from his comfortable Adelaide home to live and work in the UK, as a pharmacist in North Wales. As an Aussie, he was able to entertain and bring a smile to the most crook (Aussie speak for unwell!) of Poms. Most found this bloke far too much fun and returned to his counter with any excuse for another remedy. He made friends easily and made all feel valued.
His farewell will be at Meadows, in the Adelaide Hills, and it is expected that the place will be overflowing. J/R 649 will of course, take pride of place. Tony Clipstone touched many; a gentleman whom it was an honour to have known. Tony is survived by his wife Wendy and mother Peg. Peter Bateman
J-owner Mike Slaney writes to inform us of the loss of another Australian J-owner and enthusiast, Chris Jackman, owner of an ex-Cripps Bakery J, now liveried as Jackman McRoss Bakers, which can be seen at http://www.jtypevan.com/morris-commercial/chassis-numbers-not-known/. Chris died suddenly at home, aged 42. He was a talented chef and mad about classic cars.
Posted on February 8th, 2012
Another Oz J type is to change custodianship. The van which originally was from Wangaratta in Victoria is leaving Steve Hartnell’s care and travelling the 2500 Km’s to Sydney to become a very pampered van for my plumber! Steve has been looking after this van for many years and it has travelled from Victoria to Darwin and then on to Cairns.
Before leaving North Queensland, Alan Hurst, the custodian of JB 46632 (the Sahara van-Bertha) went to take the attached photographs. Not bad eh? Look at the atlas and check out Cairns. It is in Queensland, Australia and is closer to Papua New Guinea than to the state capital, Brisbane. And here, we see two J type vans! Almost like the Scarlet Pimpernel!
Peter Bateman Sydney February 7, 2012
Posted on January 18th, 2012
Australian member John Beaton sends details of this Morris J/B van for sale at the moment on the Just Cars website. A second van advertised a week or so ago on the same site apparently failed to sell. This van is known to the Register and appears in the Morris J/B gallery.
Posted on December 31st, 2011
While children around the world were trying to stay awake and catch a glimpse of Father Christmas, he was enjoying a feast at Doyles Fish Restaurant.
Thanks to Peter Bateman for the photograph.
Posted on December 16th, 2011
Yet more from our intrepid Oz photographer and reporter of all things J-type. Peter Bateman writes:
“The attached are of Ian Booth’s old van from Christchurch, NZ. Now owned by Ben Doyle of the famous Sydney fish shop family at Watsons Bay, the van has found a new home. Any J enthusiast who wants one of Sydney’s best presented fish dinners can now enjoy their feed whilst looking at a J. After coming across the Ditch (the Tasman Sea for those geography pedants) the van was given the correct documentation for road registration by the local mechanical firm IFIXEM. Then a short transport stage to Bathurst for sign writing before another transport stage back to sunny Watsons Bay.
Not looking too bad for a van which was restored about 8 years ago. Now Iain has a reason to visit the Big Island!”
We have added the photograph and three others to MORIS J’s gallery page.
Posted on December 8th, 2011
Peter Bateman, Oz photographer and reporter on all matter J-down under, sends this photo to amuse all J-type owners and enthusiasts. Jealous? You bet!
Posted on November 6th, 2011
Another submission from intrepid Oz photographer, J-owner and enthusiast Peter Bateman:
“The Sydney railway travelling public are treated to the sight of J types at the Museum Underground Station. The historic station prides itself in maintaining a heritage of old advertising signs and this NRMA poster is the one to capture my eye. The NRMA sponsor the annual MotorFest on Australia Day, January 26 each year and I can guarantee there is at least one J there each year. Pop along”
