It is with great sadness that we report that Ken Cooke, a long-time Register member, passed away on the 7th April after a long illness.

Ken was passionate about all things J. The fount of all knowledge regarding the J-type and its Austin 101 variants, he was always happy to pass on this expertise, acquired down the years, to any owner or enthusiast.

His favourite van was undoubtedly XRH 885, the Austin 101 that he had owned for 56 years. Fellow owners and enthusiasts got together with Ken to celebrate the 50 year-milestone at Gaydon in 2014.

Ken kept XRH in immaculate condition and attended many Register get-togethers in it.

He will be sorely missed on the Rally scene.

We send condolences to his son Kevin and daughter Debbie. Debbie has vowed that the 101 will remain in her possession, and that it will be seen at rallies as and when possible.

One of life’s true gentlemen, Ken will be mourned and missed by all who knew him.

Ken and his van featured in the  book, ‘The J-type’ by David Allison and Harvey Pitcher, and was a regular sighting on the TV series Heartbeat.

Ken and his daughter Debbie with presentation plaque

XRH 885 information board

We have heard from the organisers at Gaydon’s British Motor Museum that a new date has been scheduled for the 2021 Classic Van and Pickup Show, in conjunction with the Classic and Vintage Commercial Show. It is now scheduled for the weekend of August 14th/15th. This is in line with the latest government announcements about the timings for changes to the current Covid lockdown.

STOP PRESS: 03/03/21: The organisers have announced that the Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show, with Discovery, will not run on 11-13 June 2021 as planned. The next edition of the show will now take place 18-20 March 2022.

IN RESPONSE TO THE ONGOING COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND THE RECENT GOVERNMENT DIRECTIVES IN REGARDS TO THE PANDEMIC, THE 2020 LANCASTER INSURANCE CLASSIC MOTOR SHOW, WITH DISCOVERY, HAS BEEN POSTPONED.

Show Director Lee Masters explained: “The current Covid-19 climate has created uncertainty for both our exhibitors and visitors. With the weeks now counting down towards our open date we have taken the difficult decision to postpone this year’s event.”

“As a team, we are extremely disappointed as we have done everything within our power to try and make it happen. We want to thank all our partners, clubs, exhibitors, visitors and suppliers who have supported our endeavours to bring the show to you this year. We understand that this decision will be a disappointment to many people who eagerly await the Classic Motor Show each year and look forward to when we can get together again.”

“We would particularly like to express our heartfelt thanks to all the clubs and their members who, despite the current situation, were willing to support the show this November. To be fair to everyone, we will be inviting all clubs to reapply to be a part of the Classic Motor Show 12-14 November 2021. Further details will be issued later in the Autumn.”

Sunday the 9th is the day for what was the Classic Van and Pick-up Show at Gaydon. It has now been amalgamated with the annual Classic & Vintage Gathering, also moved forward from its original June date. 

In any normal year the Register would be happy to display, but in these Covid19-sensitive times we have not felt that it is safe enough yet to poke our heads above the parapet, as it were.
Find out more at: www.britishmotormuseum.co.uk/whats-on/classic-and-vintage-commercial-show

This was the best chance in many a year to see a complete set of Post Office J-types together – Royal Mail, Planning van and Utility, and a lovely pair of Austin 101s.

The Register would like to thank all those members who came along and chatted, and especially the members who brought along their vans to have on display. It’s quite a commitment in terms of time etc, but it is appreciated.

We got an ‘honorable mention’ at the club awards ceremony…

The Register has a stand at the NEC, in Hall 4, stand number 4-565, appropriately next to the Morris-Commercial Club.The show runs from the 8th ’til the 10th November.

Members will have noticed a lack of updates on the website and the absence of Reviews. Unfortunately, due to matters beyond our control, we have had to take this hiatus. No member will be out of pocket, and we will fulfil our responsibilities as and when possible, before expecting any further subs payments.

So, the Classic Motor Show is over for another year!

More than 71,000 visitors spent time in the eight halls, viewing 300 club stands and some 3000 vehicles. Despite being such a small Register, our display got a mention in Classic and Sports Car’s digital review, along with a photo of our stand. “A wonderful assembly of J-Type vans…” praise indeed!

With the show falling on the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day, the organisers had sent round, a few months ago, a note asking clubs to consider ways of marking this. Difficult when our vans only came along much later and even Morris~Commercial would not come into existence until some six years after WW1 ended, so we couldn’t even make  a big thing out of the war effort (which we undoubtedly could do with WW2).

Next year the Organisers are celebrating the 35th anniversary of the show, with the date already set for 8/9/10 November. Let’s hope we are offered a stand again.

One of the gallery photos shows what we achieved with the full-size relatives. They were much photographed and commented on, including by someone who introduced herself to us to explain that she was a cousin, or something, of Mike’s wife as she too had the very same photo at home. That must have been an amazing feeling, to be walking round the show and be confronted in such a way!

The Aussies have had a great time organising the Motorclassica and Bendigo 70th Anniversary events.

Six vans were on show at Motorclassica in Melbourne, whilst an impressive thirteen turned out for the Bendigo event. A fourteenth van turned up for the Sunday afternoon at the Morris Minor Garage.

Motorclassica (click on any photo to enlarge)

Bendigo (click on any photo to enlarge)

Morris Minor Garage, Harcourt (click on any photo to enlarge)

Meanwhile, back in the UK, the Classic Motor Show is on at the NEC, Birmingham. We have four vans on display. More photos to follow.