Who made this van ?

upnick · August 15, 2011, 11:51:28 AM

Hi All,

I found this white metal van in my box of vechiles i have been intending to build for a while but can anyone tell me who made the real vechile please so i can go & look for reference pictures, looks to be late 60's - early 80's to me but i cant christen it.
Any help would be appreciated.

upnick · August 15, 2011, 12:02:46 PM

Just bene told it's the Commer walkthrough one to look out for your layout possibly but not sure who made it in its model form, if i find out i'll post it unless anyone can tell us

oscar · August 15, 2011, 12:41:56 PM

GEM N237?

upnick · August 15, 2011, 12:56:14 PM

Could very well be Oscar thank you as i seem to rmember when i got the kit it was in a tatty bag with a Dark blue header in which suggests Gem/Fleetline models

cloughie · August 15, 2011, 01:09:48 PM

found this for you nick tm19
http://www.bh-enterprises.co.uk/page21.htm

cloughie

poliss · August 15, 2011, 01:46:36 PM

Who made this van? Probably me.

Well, all the wooden bits on the real thing. The raised rails (rub rails) on the body are made from Beech wood.
Good times Proby. Good times.
Here's a similar one from 1968. http://www.travellerhomes.co.uk/?p=9477

upnick · August 15, 2011, 01:52:14 PM

Cheers Cloughie / Poliss both very useful links

the travellers homes site contains lots of older vechiles reborn in various guises to live another day

oscar · August 15, 2011, 02:30:03 PM

Ahh, but which of you knows why they were called 'Walkthrough'?

cloughie · August 15, 2011, 02:47:01 PM

a walkthrough is were there is no baulkhead between the driver compartment and the load compartment, so the driver can get to the load without getting his feet wet

cloughie

oscar · August 15, 2011, 02:48:29 PM

Nope!

poliss · August 15, 2011, 02:58:13 PM

Ah, it appears it's a trade name and it should be 'Walk-Thru' according to the Commer advert.
http://www.roadtransport.com/blogs/big-lorry-blog/2010/09/whatever-happened-to-the-walk-.html
A chappie on the site also says "that the 'Walk-Thru' name only applies to the Commer - the Bedford-Hawson was an 'Easy Access' and the Ford a 'Clearway'."

oscar · August 15, 2011, 03:05:59 PM

It was the first van where you could get out of the driver's seat and walk through to and out of the passenger door. Simples.

poliss · August 15, 2011, 05:14:30 PM

Oh dear.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/46166396@N03/4484436755/in/faves-londonitalian/

upnick · August 15, 2011, 05:18:53 PM

Quote from: poliss on August 15, 2011, 05:14:30 PM
Oh dear. http://www.flickr.com/photos/46166396@N03/4484436755/in/faves-londonitalian/

poliss · August 15, 2011, 05:25:29 PM

It's not the GEM N237. The front is different. http://www.gascupboard.co.uk/commer-walkthru-van-c1960s-p-4275.html