BRITISH motoring enthusiasts are an eclectic bunch. If you're a fan of vehicles with two, three, four wheels or more, then there's sure to be a club or group of like-minded individuals that shares your passion. There are organisations dedicated to marques, or even specific models, while others come together in celebration of certain types of vehicle configuration, whether it's three-wheelers, 4x4s, two-strokes or even the humble van.
The latter might seem like a niche of special interest, but the weekend-long Classic Commercial Vehicle show at the British Motor Museum in Gaydon, Warwickshire, is an excuse for enthusiasts to gather and show off their beautifully restored vehicles. Mixing with the immaculately presented lorries and gleaming trailers were a number of smaller models that show how the van has evolved since the end of the Second World War. With the electrification of commercial vehicles gathering pace, what better time to chart the past, present and future of the sector?
One of the oldest vans on display was a 1952 Austin A40 Devon van, owned by Chris Cole from Wellesbourne in Warwickshire. He used it as a parts collector for the family business until it was replaced by a Ford Transit in 2011. After some time left standing, Chris restored the A40 when he retired, and now brings it to shows such as this.
The A40 Devon was built in the UK from 1947-52, and the van was a windowless version of the A40 Countryman two-door estate. It was easily built on the same production line at Longbridge as the other models, courtesy of the A40's body-on-frame construction, while power came from a 40bhp 1.2-litre four-cylinder petrol engine.
This story is from the January 11, 2023 edition of Auto Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 11, 2023 edition of Auto Express.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
PERFORMANCE review
Updates have transformed the Audi RS 4 before it bows out for good, but can it beat the BMW M3 Touring?
Pick of the Porsches
In its 75 years, Porsche has built some of the most iconic cars ever. We look at the best
The rebirth of cool
Octavia has been the standard-bearer of Skoda's renaissance for 25 years. We mark that milestone by looking at four generations of the popular car
Evolution in action
As the Peugeot 205 turns 40, we look at how this most iconic of French superminis has influenced the brand's latest small car
Volkswagen T-Cross
FIRST DRIVE Updates focus on boosting compact SUV's quality
Vauxhall Astra ST Electric
FIRST DRIVE Estate version of electric family car comes with space to spare
Smart #3
FIRST DRIVE Has Smart righted the 1’s wrongs with the latest addition to its range?
BEAVER TOWN
When Citroen said it was supporting a scheme to rewild beavers in West London wetlands, we were eager to gnaw how it would work
HOUSE OF BUGATTI
| Upon his retirement, the man who's shaped all modern Bugattis SI reflects upon his stellar career with the ultimate supercar brand
AMG weaves its magic as Merc reveals faster CLE 53 coupé
THE new Mercedes CLE coupé is tasked with replacing two-door versions of both the C-Class and E-Class, and the line-up has been bolstered with the arrival of a hot AMG 53 variant.