Help Identifying my Grandads Commer Van

W

Welshnathan

New Member
Hi Everyone,

I'm on a mission to create a gift for my Grandad which is a display case filled with 1:43 scale models of his old cars and vans. One of which was his Dodge Commer which he sold a number of years ago. I'm no expert on these vehicles so I've signed up to seek out the help of the experts. I have looked all over the web and I'm pretty sure that there is no 1:43 diecast model of the exact model he had (it had two small lights next to the main headlights)

I have attached a picture below which is not his actual van but it was the same model. I would be most grateful if someone here could help my identify the model.
I think its a Suntor Major (early 1970s?)

I would also be interested to find out if someone on here has one. I have an idea which would involve taking a number of pictures around the van which I can then convert to a 3D model and 3D print as an alternative to a diecast model.

Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.
 

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Hi Nathan and welcome to the Madhouse:)
Pretty sure the picture is a Suntor as the Auto-Sleeper roof is different, this is our Auto-Sleeper

Jvji3kF.jpg


The Corgi camera van has the later front with twin side lights

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CORGI-47...h=item54640f1f13:g:xpYAAOSwSTpbwHsn:rk:8:pf:0


I used one as a basis to make a model for our Jennings Roadranger

94Ta8PD.jpg
 
When you say dodge Commer do you mean a later facelifted and rebranded one?
 

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Good point, there were also "Dodge badged commers" that didn't have the facelift but had Dodge instead of Commer on the front
 
Hi Everyone,
I appreciate the responses. No, after seeing pictures, it was definitely not the rebranded dodge version. I have since found a picture and after speaking with family members it appears that his Commer Camper actually started life as either a BT or Royal Mail van which he then converted. No wonder I couldnt find anything quite like it from pictures!
I have bought a 1:43 scale commer bus (CORGI 479 'COMMER 2500 SERIES BUS 'SAMUALSON FILM SERVICE LTD) which I will convert using moddeling clay (thanks for the suggestion Panky).
I wonder if his van is still out there somewhere?
 

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I always think of bovril when I see this van ?
If it is the same one definatly seen on ebay some yrs ago sure I have see it on google images too more recently.....
 
I would love to track it down, I was gutted when I heard he sold it cheap to get rid! Tried searching the reg but no luck...
 
Hi Everyone. I hope you are all enjoying the holidays!

I'm not a fan of unfinished disussions on forums so I thought I would come back to close this one by letting you all know how I got off. I bought the Commer bus as I said last time thanks to Panky's advice and I proceeded to reposition windows and fill in the unwanted features. I also designed and 3D printed his custom roof and attached that before proceeding to paint the model. This is not my strong point so please don't zoom into the attached picture too much as you'll see my poor painting skills! I could have paid someone more experienced but this is not a show model, its a gift for my Grandad so at least he can see that it was done by me...
I gave him his present on Christmas and he was over the moon. The commer is displayed between a Morris Oxford, Humber Sceptre, two Metros, a Focus and a Transit and it looks great. I am very proud of it, even if the van is poorly painted. Thanks again for all your help and advice. I still hope to find the van one day but i fear it was scrapped :-( (Reg: PBL 442L)
Enjoy the rest of your holidays and all the best to you, your families and Commer Van's!
 

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Did the same many years ago for my brother. In the early 80s he had a customised Mk1 Escort which was written off by a 'poor' driver in a modern.
I built a replica using a 1/32 scale Airfix kit. This was about 35 years ago and it still has pride of place in his home (note: Ferrero Rocher boxes make excellent display boxes).
 
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