I used to know this petrol engined 'B' series van quite well and I even drove it a few hundred yards at Chatham Dockyard once.
The restorer/owner at that time was well known to me and I made brief contact with the next owner (central London) when it was sold on but that contact was not maintained for long.
Van versions are now pretty rare and I always wanted one but I'm happy with the BF instead now as it's just as good looking in its own way. Plus I have a 5 ton payload 'big brother' Superpoise Mk IV anyway.
I have owned one of these in the past, in dropside form, and that one is nearing the completion of a major phase of restoration with its new owner, right now. Also, on the way to me in the new year should be chassis number zero of one particular variation on this theme. Appropriately, though, it is also only a chassis and running gear, no cab or body! Should make a good yard shunter or crane though, given time.
The basic cab design was shared with Dodges, amongst others, and there are many survivors of both types in Malta, Cyprus, New Zealand and maybe a few other places but not many normal control examples left in the UK, it would seem, just lots of special bodied BFs 'holding the Rootes Medium Commercial Fort' for that era.
Paul, I will phone you shortly. Have not checked in for ages and did not see your message until tonight. My email address should be accessible from my profile here though, I think.
Hugh
