Commer

S

Steve Grima

New Member
Hi all,

I just became a member ... I came across this van and just got hold of it ...

Can someone pls give me some info about it? I know nothing about cars but would like to restore it to former glory :)

thanks
 

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A very early one probably "PA" designation - single side repeaters at the front along with three bar grill and big commer badge, not individual letters. Rear lights have been replaced by something newer by the looks of it. Petrol or diesel?
 
Hi and thanks for your reply :)

I am Maltese and due to the price of petrol in the 60s, the previous owner said that the original petrol engine was replaced by a perkins diesel... he promised to search for original engine and I will fit it to have it original...

there is a front diesel badge but it could have been added after the engine change.
 
Hi Steve and welcome to the Madhouse :)
It is a very early van even before the PA designation, probably around 1961/1963. I think it might be a Series 2 or 2A 1500 FC (forward control) as the last of the FC models had separate COMMER letters on the front. Some were fitted with Perkins engines from new, and had the DIESEL badge fitted, so if it is a replacement they went to the trouble of sourcing the badge. The original petrol engine would have been the 1500 three bearing crank one.
 
give me permission to ask you a stupid question :)

is it worth it to restore?

also is it easy to find spare parts cause surely i will need quite a lot to do a good job
 
No such thing as a stupid question, we remain stupid if we don't ask them ;)
Oh yes well worth restoring, an early van like yours is a rare thing indeed. Martin Maltas of commervanspares is the man to speak to, he hand makes all the repair panels you will need to a very high standard and has most of the mechanical bits and pieces too.

Here's the link to Martin's site.
 
thanks a lot mate ... I keep in touch and thanks a lot for you kind advice and information ...

much appreciated ...

who knows perhaps one day I join an event with it :)
 
Hi there Steve, that looks like a proper little gem you have there. Although financially they don't fetch silly money they are still well worth the time to restore especially one like yours. Certain parts can be awkward to find but as panky says Martin holds a great collection of parts. Keep us posted with any updates.
 
hi and thanks for your message :)

yes i will start posting pics of the process ... you are great for advice too cause I am not so informed about such matters :)

regards
 
Hi and welcome. Well found! If you love it, restore it. If you don’t, sell it on. That’s my view. Good luck :)
 
Hi guys .... Due to pandemic situation .... Project will start next week and on Monday it will have the first drive into my garage after 30 years .... Will keep u posted !!!!!
 
Hi guys ... The van is a series 2 as u said but was fitted with a Perkins 4108. But previous owner said it was petrol originally so the diesel badge was added later. Do u know what engine this was cause I need to fit original but first I need to find one
 
Hi Steve, It probably would have had the Hillman based 1500 three bearing crank engine originally but it would be advisable to go for the later 1725 five bearing crank version as fitted in the majority of the Rootes group cars of the late 60's and 70's. Visually there's very little difference and, although still not earth shattering, the power and torque increase is a benefit.
The alloy head version of the engine as fitted to Rapiers and Humber Sceptres is a further improvement and they go quite well especially when fitted with an overdrive gearbox.
 
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