J-enthusiast and ex-owner Iain Booth has emailed us this scan of a page in a recent publication.
Don’t all rush out to try and buy what appears to be a very reasonably priced van, we are told it has already sold!
If by any chance the new owner is reading this, please contact us. We’d love to hear from you and hope to add your van’s chassis number to our records. Congratulations on owning this lovely van, you have what is probably the bargain of the decade!
The February-May 2014 Oxford Diecast Release Programme contains THREE new models using the 1:76 (OO-gauge) J-type castings. These are:
76MJ005: Post Office Telephones Planning Van – From the photo this seems to be the first of the Oxford Diecast J-type models not to have the window rubber printing effect, and is much better for it!
76MJ006: Carters Steam Fair Ice Cream Van – This is a rework of the Facchino’s model, so does not look much like the real vehicle (see photo in gallery, which shows that the real vehicle – a Whitby replica – is wider-bodied and without rear wheelarches).
76MJ008: Southdown – From the photo this seems to repeat the flaws of their Royal Mail model (76MJ004), and to add a few more. The silver-printed window surrounds (on both models) are just ridiculous! These models also repeat a mistake made on the 1:43 scale Corgi model, by giving the models printed indications of semaphore turn indicators fitted into the bodywork by the trailing edge of each side door opening. When fitted (infrequently) these were fixed to the forward-facing edge of each opening. Difficult to model, but in the circumstances surely better to leave off than do incorrectly.
When the Register learnt that Oxford Diecast were considering making models of the J-type, every help was offered and their Design Manager even measured and photographed 5003 NX in the primary research process. There’s really no excuse for these models being anything other than accurate, except where manufacturing processes involve compromise.
There does not seem to be a 76MJ007 listed, more details as and when.
The 1:24th scale J-type model that was mastered by Phil Knight, one of our J-type owning Register members in Australia, is now available to purchase. It is listed for sale at www.thepartsbox.com as a complete kit (code number 1426), or body kit only (code number 1427). The body-only kit caters for those intrepid Aussies wishing to make a model of one of the custom J-types that exist over there. Prices are 1426: $82.50 + postage, and 1427: $35.20 + postage. I wonder how many of these kits will find their way to the UK?
If you are interested in purchasing one, visit:www.thepartsbox.com
The models are also available on ebay, but at higher prices than those quoted by The Parts Box
Six J type vans drove to the Australia Day CARnivale display in Sydney on Sunday. I have to thank Andrew Trollope and Susan for coming all the way from Melbourne to drive a van to the event. Their help was great. All of the vans from 2013 attended and this year we had an addition of the old Norge Village Dry Cleaners van (featured on the cover of the J type book by D Allison and H Pitcher) in its new livery of the Sydney Packaging Company. This van has been nicely prepared and is now in daily use. It still has the Holden red motor it had when in Tasmania although the brakes and undercarriage have been improved.
I continue to be amazed at the positive sentiments the public has towards the J type. Many were only too happy to stop and tell their personal J type yarn and others just wanted to get into the drivers seat for a photo. I was told of a J which was deck cargo on a coastal steamer going around the Pacific Islands. When in port it was hoisted off onto dry land and provided transport for the crew whilst waiting for the cargo to be unloaded.
Also I was given a photo of Kelvin Mowtell and his company vehicle. It was J type in Ramset (NZ) livery. Kelvin still has great memories of that van. As a young surfer the J was a perfect company ‘car’ as on week-ends he simply popped his surf board and mates into the back and headed to the best breaks.
The 2015 CARnivale will see more J type vans. Let us aim for….
Peter Bateman Sydney January 2014
Another van previously unknown to the Register has surfaced, this time in Scotland. Registered HST 655, we reckon this to be an early 1955-registered van.
A post to let all members know that there is a Review working its way through the clogged-up postal system, it’s most likely to land on your hall floor after Christmas as I just ran out of time.
We have heard that the Irish van has gone to a good home, thanks to the ex-owner for letting us know.
We have also had contact with an owner in Scotland whose van seems to be unknown to us until now. More details to follow!
Wendy Clipstone visited Register HQ for a couple of days, armed with some ‘Joyville’ tins. Bringing Cadbury tins all the way from Australia to the home of Cadbury’s – we thought it a great opportunity for a photo shoot. There are 8 of these tins for sale, if any member would like one please email. They are £10 + p and p (which I’ll establish after Christmas).
For sale on an Irish Classic Car website
http://www.classiccarsales.ie/index.php/index.php/ads/morris-commercial-j-type/
The advert states:
“This is a 1951 Morris J Type, dry stored for the past 38 years, still fitted with its original 1600cc side valve engine, 3-speed gearbox and back axle. The van is rolling easily, steering is working, gearbox is selecting all gears, but the engine is not turning. No major rust problems and the chassis is sound. Condition overall is very good. This is a genuine unmolested Irish van, ideal for restoration. The van is located in Co. Cork”.
Located in Palmerston North, New Zealand, this van is for sale on ebay.com on 25. 11. 2013
Its current owner is the third owner since new, he remembers going to school in this van, even got to drive it too. Was owned by local butcher since new and current owner’s father purchased off him once he retired.
Repowered with Renault engine and Toyota older style 5-speed gearbox. Needs bodywork repair.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/131056331442
The Annual HISTORIC COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SHOW was on in Melbourne 24th November 2013 and the J Vans got together in force. A lot of history was on display but no other brand had 5 of a kind!
The day was a bit damp, but we got 5 Vans – all different colours. From Left to right: John Brooksmith, Nicholas Fuller, Mike Slaney, Sandy Payet, Andrew Trollope
John Brooksmith
For the rest of this week we’re keeping this message up, for all Australian readers of our Register Blog:
Gooday Boys
Next Sunday is the Historic Commercial Vehicle show again. We are looking for a better than last year’s 7-vehicle show. If we all turn up we will make it – so here is the call to arms!
The show opens 9.00 am, so if we all make it around that time or soon after, and see if we can get the same spot as last year, we can make history: THE BIGGEST J VAN DISPLAY OUTSIDE THE UK…
That should also get us a front page on the J-Register website, so we will be world famous.
It is also the 65th Anniversary of the J Van so it will be a fitting culmination for the year.
See you there, John Brooksmith.
On to news of a ‘new’ find in Australia. Early indications are that this is a contender for the ‘oldest surviving van’ title currently held by Tony Clipstone’s beauty. It will, however, take some verification. From the photos we can glean:
Early engine cover is a good sign, it can be seen in the back of the van. Round sidelights. It looks like the shock mountings are later. The front panel fitted in one shot obviously carries witness of a later Morris badge, not in itself much of an indication of age as they’re so easy to swap. This van also has the later chrome petrol cap rather than the screw-on brass one (which the Clipstone van has…)
I think we need the new owners to do the glass test on as many pieces as survive on the van. Locate the Triplex Toughened Glass logo etched into the surface of each piece (if original). Look for a dot below one of the letters in the word TOUGHENED. Original glass from 1949 should have a dot below the letter D. It’s not foolproof, but a good indication if all logos on a van are found and compared.
