The 65th Anniversary Rally is over, and there are already those who are talking about the 70th!

A panoramic view of Saturday’s line-up of J-vans. Photo by Annette Pijpstra

A really impressive display of vans was achieved. A mixture of J-types, J/Bs and an Austin 101. We had a GPO Planning van or three, a Royal Mail van, an ex-Australian van, an ex-New Zealand van, a coachbuilt pick-up, a van driven over from Sweden, a van attending a rally for the first time in probably 30 years, and more.

It was also a chance for owners to meet and greet. And marvellous to see the signs of another generation of J-enthusiasts coming through. Ken Cookes’s daughter Debbie’s enthusiasm for the van shows that she’s a ‘chip off the old block’. MYH 238 would perhaps not have made it to the Rally were it not for the help that Will Southard gave his father Graham over the months leading up to the event, and Abi Pitcher created the J-type cake for the occasion, and insists that 5003 NX will be hers one day!

It was wonderful to see J-owners Andrew and Susan Trollope and John Brooksmith and partner Annette, all four over from Melbourne Australia and able to attend the event.

Vans in attendance over the two days were: SLO 234 (Gary Sumner), 477 XUK (John and Margaret Rice), UMO 938 (Ken Cooke), MSK 194 (Peter Page), 949 BYY (Ray Kings and co-driver John Davies), 8444 UA (Peter and Helen Smith), 495 YUB (Ray Herritts) 224 TRE (Merv Whittingham), 5003 NX (the Pitchers), 745 VRF (Dennis Bradley), MYH 238 (Graham Southard), AHW 391 (Bjorn and Mona Stennsen) and TGC 321 (Steve Taylor). Register member Dave Raven, whose van is nowhere near to being rallied, came along in the cute Bond Minivan.

Our thanks to the BaMMOT museum staff who helped make the Rally as enjoyable as it was, and who went out of their way to make sure everything ran smoothly.

Click on any photo to enlarge.

Comments so far…

Thanks for a great day on Saturday. We all enjoyed it very much. The J’s, the company, and the buses with rides! And we were suprised at the museum content. Much more there than expected (Dave even found a bus with his name on!!). Great event in a great venue. Graham Daniels

Thanks for everything and more! Gray Southard

It was great to see everyone yesterday, just a shame I couldn’t stay longer. Seeing all the restored vans there has certainly spurred ne on to complete ‘Stan’. Thanks for arranging the event, it was very much appreciated.  Andy Pitts

Just a quick note to say many thanks for organising the j van get together. A quality turn out and so good to see the two project vans. Tell the girls the cake was fantastic. All the best, Roly and Caroline Turner

You seem to have done well on the Sunday, amd we were very impressed with the Saturday as well. John and Annette Brooksmith

Thanks again for Wythall. It was a great weekend; good weather, nice company and a great variety of vans, so well done! Peter Smith