Exactly a fortnight until the NEC opens its doors to the Classic Motor Show…
Andrew Trollope, back in Australia after visiting the UK and attending the 65th Anniversary, recently sent a copy of ‘I’ve an Uncle Ivan’ by Ben Sanders. Published in Australia in April this year, the hardback book has lovely illustrations with a very retro feel, plus the bonus of a 3D paper template/print which makes up into a J-type pie van! ISBN no: 978-0500500361, Thames and Hudson (Australia).
Peter Bateman writes: From the Great Southern Land comes a tale of restoration and renewal. Where there are bush fires around every pocket of undergrowth Will Hughes is making progress on J/B 41298. As can be seen from the photographs the van has not ventured too far from the original colours when it was a Bakers Crust van in Goulburn NSW. Will expects to bring the van to Sydney for next year’s Australia Day CARnivale. 2014, to the best of my knowledge marks the 65th anniversary of the J type coming to Australia. Let’s aim for ten J types at Macquarie Street Sydney. Even UK J-typers are invited.
It has been a struggle to find time to post things recently, so I’m going to try and post something every day for the next couple of weeks, leading up to the Classic Car Show at the NEC – 15/16/17 November 2013. We’re aiming for FIVE vans to be on our stand, more details to follow!
Iain Booth in New Zealand has unearthed a van previously unknown to us. It becomes the 303rd J survivor known to the Register. He was contacted by its owner, and has sent this photo. It is fitted with a Mark II Zephyr engine but the original engine, rear axle and gearbox are with it. At least it seems that the bodywork is reasonably intact, albeit rusty in all the usual places. A great restoration project.
A long-overdue blog about the 2013 Goodwood Revival, a great weekend marred only by bouts of inclement weather.
There were 5 vans in attendance at the Revival, the RAc’s LDG 584, Kenwood’s LVJ 61, Hardy Engineering’s 221 EMF, Glynn Wiseman’s 344 CNM and 5003 NX, with two more to be found in the car parks, Peter Page’s Austin 101 MSK 194 and Bob Wall’s MJW 43.
‘Top Unique’ trophy and 3 J’s at Rat Day!
The annual Goodguys Rat Day in Sydney attracted one of the largest turnout of cars and visitors today for the 2013 Fathers Day event. From one J type van in attendance last year, there were three today and Laurie Bellette’s V8 J won Top Unique!
Rat Day in Sydney is a special event. A day of radical workshop specials, the vehicles made of (sometimes) discarded automotive parts which cause a gasp when first glimpsed and followed by the question “how can that possibly run?” or HOW can THAT be driven?” It is a very diverse automotive display. Today was the usual great showing of VW Combi’s and rare American small trucks but this year the display included an assortment of British-based vehicles. Of great interest to the register were the three J types on display. Sydney’s now famous 350 Chev powered V8 J type van was there along with JB 41717 resplendent in original stature and Kelly Ashton’s V8 J. All vans were of interest to the public and it was fascinating to see people compare the vans side by side. The judges were also impressed, Laurie won the trophy for ‘Top Unique’.
Peter Bateman Sydney September 1, 2013
For those interested in “old cars – made good” , have a squiz (look) at the September issue of Australia’s Street Machine magazine. Oz readers can go to their local newsagency but this digital age allows ‘away types’ access through the web. I was very surprised JB 41717, my ex ABBCO Bread van, was included in the magazine’s hallowed pages but this is the 300th issue and I had been there, with the van when it started in 1982.
You might think I too would love a V8 J? Too right, mate One day.
www.streetmachine.com.au
or FACEBOOK – streetmachinemagazine
Peter Bateman Sydney Australia August 2013
A J-type van has gone on sale on ebay, see photo.
It has been modified/customised along the way, but seems to be a very restorable van. Currently fitted with a Renault 1300cc motor mated to a Toyota gearbox, the advert also mentions an Austin Princess dashboard and wiring loom!
Oxford Diecast’s range of OO gauge models has been increased by the addition of this lovely model of the Facchino’s J-type Ice Cream van, YHT 511, in Whitby Engineering’s collection of preserved vehicles.
At approximately 2 inches long, this is a little model with some amazingly accurate detail – for instance, the word MORRIS can be read on the tiny grille badge! It has also been correctly modelled with only the passenger side door, a modification made by previous owner Gary Sutton when he rebuilt this ex-Verrechia’s of Bristol ice cream van.
A GPO planning van previously unknown to the Register has turned up near Manchester. SXH 241 has been acquired by a Register member and will be restored in its original livery. It is remarkably complete, but suffering some rot on the drivers side having been stored badly at some point in the past. It has languished only a few miles from Tatton Park for 30 years or so. Amazing that in all the time we were attending the Classic Car Show there nobody ever mentioned that they knew about it.
Adding it to the website passes a milestone, too. It is the 300th surviving van to feature on this website.
Roly Turner’s van OBL 432 is on display at Buckingham Palace! For the full story go to Roly’s blog at http://morrisjtypes.blogspot.co.uk/
