Commercial Motor

martin maltas

martin maltas

0
Staff member
Just bought a copy of Commercial Motor, March 1963. Front cover has a wonderful array of consecutive number Commers, for SWEB, WF Farm Feeds and a Gas van. Where have they all gone [?][V]

BluebirdDebonair002.jpg


Also inside is an advert from Bluebird Caravans, not for a camper, but a Debonair Gown van and Luton :p

BluebirdDebonair003.jpg


I must make time to start on the butchers van :p

http://www.commervanspares.co.uk/

http://www.yorkshireclassiccampers.co.uk/
 
his was the mag i put a link to:) very nice[8D] that was a month before i was born:I:D

Dodgemark.jpg
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1980 perkins diesel spacevan
 
It is very interesting to actually see the proof that Bluebird Caravans used their Highwayman body as the base for trade vehicles. Just look at that Debonair: it has the early 60s Highwayman body without any windows in it. Looking at the main interior photo of the mobile shop version, the interior is exactly the same as the Highwayman camper - less the shelves and poles, of course. The veneered ceiling, the slats, the lamps in the ceiling, roof light - they're all the same :)
 
Are you going to convert one of yours to mobile shop then Jostien ;):(

Moley and Brian the Snail :)

1965 Series IIA Bluebird Highwayman
 
Not really, Deb. The idea was to keep them both as campers :)

Saying that, when I imported the first one (which looked like a rolling ghost, it should be said), I had to drive trough "red zone" getting off the ferry in Stavanger, in January 2005. The two customs officials who were on duty didn't know what make of it all, and could't keep their mask in the end. They started laughing, and one of them said: "Is this an old English 'hot dog' van, or something?" I can't remember what my response was, but I could have said whatever I would like, it still wouldn't have made a difference. They certainly had the best laugh they had for a while, that was pretty clear. I thought I had the last laugh though - until it refused to start 5 minutes later at a petrol station a few yards from the port. So that meant calling the 2nd recovery van in 36hrs.. and my first 36 hours of ownership..

So maybe I should start using the other Bluebird as a hamburger van?

Only joking ;)
 
Nooooo don't do it it's too perfect for that. Anyway we may never see the blue one again, the one that sold in Bridlington last year has'st rematerialised yet has it[?]

Moley and Brian the Snail :)

1965 Series IIA Bluebird Highwayman
 
Oh the simple minds of the uninitiated - rare and beautiful vans reduced to purveyors of fast food for hungry football fans:I
I lost count of those who asked me for a 99'er when I had my first van (white):(

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How refreshing
 
I get it everywhere I go -and they all think they're so funny.

Moley and Brian the Snail :)

1965 Series IIA Bluebird Highwayman
 
Get a burger ready for the next one and charge him a fiver and £2 for a cup of tea, reasonable show prices;)

th_IMAG0033.jpg

How refreshing
 
You know there is a Highwayman-bodied series IIa serving as a newspaper van at the Goodwood circuit? It is a tired old dog, though, so I think it serves a purpose in a good way. It would take a lot of work to put in back in good nick.
 
Never been to Goodwood but I've heard of that van, a bit of an institution and would be missed if replaced with owt else or made pristine I think:I
It will probably end up resting in one place less wheels and with boards from the ground up to the windows - just like a lovely old Duple bodied Bedford coach I knew that had been converted into a cafe at the local bus station:I
But we are talking Goodwood and that just wouldn't do:)

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How refreshing
 
quote:
Originally posted by Moley

I get it everywhere I go -and they all think they're so funny.

Moley and Brian the Snail :)

1965 Series IIA Bluebird Highwayman



Both with Smurf and even more so with Tigger, everywhere we go we get kids saying ''An ice cream van'' ...I would love to get an illuminated ice cream cone for the front of Tigger but I can't source one and Cazz is against it lol ..........:D:D

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''COMMER'EnSayThat''
 
I know where this Blue is. At the mo it is being transformed. Will keep you abreast of the progress.:Dquote:
Originally posted by Moley

Nooooo don't do it it's too perfect for that. Anyway we may never see the blue one again, the one that sold in Bridlington last year has'st rematerialised yet has it[?]

Moley and Brian the Snail :)

1965 Series IIA Bluebird Highwayman



three+one
 
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