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1975 Commer Caravanette - for restoration
Needs collecting on low loader or similar.
Whats good about it?
It's a commer caravanette
The back part is aluminium (so it won't rust)
The tyres are still up
It has an oven, a sink, over cab storage, and the inside is quite nice really.
V5 present
Low Miles
Whats wrong with it?
It's been sitting in the garden for 10 years.
A rubber seal from the clutch is broken (reason why I stopped using it)
Rust is eating it alive (but not the back which is aluminium)
whatever else decays in 10 years in the garden.
The door to the back part is hanging off
I've lost the ignition keys!
One window is broken (golfball)
Brakes are seized (but apparently this can be fixed easily enough)
other pictures of other COMMER s
http://fleetdata.co.uk/commer-photos.html
new cashmere website
www.idhisal.co.uk/cashmere/index.htm
Commer
Commercial Cars Limited began in 1905 after early trials in Clapham, London.
Land was quickly acquired in Biscot Road, Luton where the company was to stay
almost the next 50 years. A range of truck was quickly established and export
market opened before the Great War intervened, with military trucks then taking
over. Some 3,000 were to be built until 1919, gaining a reputation for toughness
and reliability.
The tough conditions in post-war Britain saw the company's fortunes decline prompting several spells in receivership and Humber gained control in 1926, with both being integrated into the Rootes Group later. Collaboration with Humber brought the Invader into production, powered by the Super Snipe engine, closely followed by the 7 ton G6 model and the Raider. From 1932 Commer was the first UK builder to offer Perkins diesel engines on its models. The LN series started to appear in 1935. Karrier Motors had been acquired by Rootes and production transferred to Luton, with trolleybuses later moving to the Sunbeam premises at Wolverhampton. The Karrier name was retained and was marketed chiefly for municipal and special purpose vehicles. Light cartage was catered for by van versions of the Hillman Minx or Wizard. Karrier also produced its own version of the Mechanical Horse, used by railway companies, but by 1946 the Scammell version controlled this market.
As well as Humber armoured cars Commer built K series for the Ministry of Supply during the war. Superpoise models had appeared before the outbreak of World War II, but were not built in great numbers until after 1948, production of the LN and N series continued in the meanwhile, some N series vans still being made in the early fifties. In 1948 an underfloor engined QX appeared with impressive chrome-work proving very popular with haulers. By 1951 the range of vehicles on offer was from the Express 8 cwt van to the QX 12 ton tractor unit. Karrier models also eventually went underfloor following the introduction of the Gamecock. Q.2 and Q.4 saw Army service in numbers in the early fifties, and were also operated by the Auxiliary Fire Service.
Post war expansion by Rootes saw the introduction of the TS.3 two stroke engine built in the old Tilling-Stevens factory at Maidstone and used with considerable success in the Avenger coach chassis, also popular with several fire services as a fire tender. Luton had outgrown its production capacity and a new factory was opened at nearby Dunstable, Biscot Road offices continuing as an administrative unit. The PA and PB series vans and pick ups were first produced at the beginning of the sixties, along with the "Walk Thru"; largely based on American designs of general purpose delivery vans.
The C and V series came in during the early sixties, closely followed by the Maxiload. These were Commer's "catch up" answer to the recently introduced Bedford TK range.
Following the Chrysler take over of Rootes Group, the vehicles offered were badged as Dodge, and the Commer name eventually phased out.
Commer photo gallery
Books on Commer
some discussions about COMMER
1979 Commer Van from UK and Ireland
Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-48
Characterful van demonstrating 1970's strength/reliability
What things have gone wrong with the car?
This is a very rare van, about 2 a year are seen. Mine is in light blue -
it sits outside my house everyday - I don't like using it much because there
are no dealers left! The youngest Commer would have been made in about 1980!
When used - only to go into Twickenham town itself, but that is hardly ever.
General comments?
So old that it has no heater/radio, but I really like it. Good loadspace,
rare, hopefully I might take it on a long run to give it a blast, but I won't
take it over 60mph - too risky. Quite comfortable and roomy. Seats made of
1970s plastic - windscreen wipers weak. Fun van though - not often seen! Runs
on 4 star petrol - I have only ever filled it up about 40 times!
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16th Dec 2000, 18:44 Spares are available for these vehicles.
If you want more info email me: woodytom@madasafish.com
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11th Jan 2001, 14:14 I don't if I've got the same vehicle as Woody - mine's
a Commer 'Walk Thru', which I use on a virtually daily basis. Anyone with
any Commer info can e-mail me at benitveal@hotmail.com.
I know of at least 2 other vans in Bristol, and in May (2001) I'll be travelling over to the Commer Club de Nedrland annual rally.
Any news of spares would be welcome - so far I've replaced/renewed virtually
everything, and it's due to go in for a respray in a few weeks time.
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25th Jan 2001, 14:56 I have a 7 ton 1963 Commer Horsebox based on the H5 design,
coachbuilt by G.C. Smith. If anyone finds any, let me know as I want to start
collecting & restoring them (for some obscure reason), or SPARES.
I also have the 7 and 9 ton maintenance handbook if anyone needs info.
Email: mat@eggblob.com
I also know where to get just about any bits for them except replacement
windscreens. Check http://www.vintagevehicleneeds.com
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30th Apr 2001, 06:56 I bought a 1973 Commer camper in September on a nostalgic
whim for £600, having spent my youth holidaying in Dads. They're great,
bodywork seems to go first but very useful and full of character. I'm doing
mine up ready to go round France in it. Speedy Spares in Shoreham, Sussex
have loads of spares for them - 01273 417889.
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5th May 2001, 11:01 I have an ex-BT Dodge van (formally Commer). Its X-reg
- the last year they made 'em.
Its lasted me 12 years, several holidays, house removals, piono transport etc.
I'm struggling this week to get it through the MOT. Its never been a problem before, but the bodywork is getting harder to cope with. Mechanically its sound - only 78000 miles.
I reckon that this time next year I'll have to let it go. Is there anyone likely to want it. Are there any enthusiasts?
Francis.kent@talk21.com.
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3rd Jun 2001, 14:41 Just bought 1977 Commer 2500 series minibus. Needs very
little work but missing a front side light - know anywhere to get bits near
Manchester?
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15th Jun 2001, 04:01 Hello!
We own 3 Commers. We are currently doing up our 1968 model (F reg) with the parts off an old K reg.
We have lots of spares including an excellent perkins 4.203 engine, clutch & bell housing, tyres, a body for Mr Francis in Kent, a side light lense for your last caller & many more.
Our friends are enthusiasts & carry out excellent work on welding & fitting. They have just replaced all our brake pipes, caliper resealing, beam axle, king pins, new bearings in the hubs, pistons in the brakes, new half shafts, steering linkages etc.
We are currently after a full set of brake linings, chassis no. C15413X.
Please send us details of the Commer annual rally. We'd love to attend next years.
We insure through Norwich Union vintage car policy for around £130 a year limited to 3000 miles annually. We get complementary RAC cover with that!
We love our Commer & still visit the original owners who used it as a walkthrough shop. In fact we had a call off Gordon the other day & he got us in touch with his mate whom we bought the spare Commer from. We’ve even got original photographs!
Get in touch.
Lynne, Dazee & the girls.
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28th Jun 2001, 15:36 We own two Commers - a PB Autosleeper Camper and a Handrian
PA Coach built. Holland was cancelled this year F&M. May be rescheduled
for September. Join the Classic Camper Club for details.
GORDON858@aol.co.uk
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30th Jul 2001, 04:23 Hello again, 1977 Commer minibus here. Managed to fnd
a side lens but now looking for a water thermostat housing for a 1725 petrol
engine, mine's developed a crack in it and is fair chucking water out. Any
ideas/offers. Commer rally in Netherlands sounds fun.
Contact Andrew on info@hulmegardencentre.org.uk.
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30th Aug 2001, 05:48 I've a Commer walk-thru L reg all kitted out as motorhome.
I've lived in said van for the past 4 years and am in the middle of selling
for an up-grade to a bus!! As said before, the body is the first to go, but
the Perkins diesel as per usual just goes on and on!!
Desperately seeking a manual at this time. let me know if one can either be lent/bought. I'd be most appreciative!
Dan @ leicfin@yahoo.com
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2nd Sep 2001, 09:22 Hello Commer lovers.
I have a 1976 CRG10 but she is sick. I need a new half shaft. Does anyone
have a 10 ton axle that they are breaking for spares. Please help. Contact
roughyhewn@talk21.com.
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26th Sep 2001, 11:39 New to the world of Commer motoring! Dan here, just bought
a 1976 Commer camper van for £400 quid. I was impressed how solid it
was and everything was working. The MOT comes up at the end of November however
and I would dearly love to see it sail through, if I need parts, any ideas
about where to get them in advance would be greatly appreciated! Also any
info on clubs and the like. I hope to get it ship-shape, re-sprayed and down
to Spain. I've never owned a camper before but I think it will change my life!
Any ideas how to fit a double bed inside? ;) Thankyou friends!
Dan email: mr_dan_wilson@hotmail.com.
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31st Oct 2001, 10:01 Hi, I have a 1962 commer PA panel van with a 1592cc petrol
engine. My van is the earlier version of the PB and so any body panels for
a PB will fit my PA. If you have any that are either new or in extremely good
condition that are second hand, could you please let me know. I am really
after panels, but anything may be of interest.
Thanks in advance, Richard Williams
Can you email me at dickster_2001@hotmail.com
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6th Dec 2001, 23:03 I've not long ago bought a 1978 1725cc Commer camper van.
I don't have much information about its history, but I assume it was assembled
here in New Zealand as the speedo is in kilometres rather than miles. Whether
the camper equipment has been in it from new I don't know; it's certainly
beautifully done: pop-top, two burner stove/grill, manual and electric water
pumps and a massive double bed that's as wide as the van when it's all folded
out. The stripy seat and cushion covers that someone's made at some point
are just wonderful. I use it for day-to-day transport as well as for going
away in and I'm definitely looking forward to the coming summer! Now, if anyone
can help me out with information and experiences with Commer vans I'd be very
grateful. I'd love to know where I could get hold of a maintenance manual
- I know they're not particularly complicated mechanically but I'm learning
about engines as I go. She runs really well, the only current problems being
that the radiator's had it (guess I'll get a recore done as parts are a bit
thin on the ground here in NZ), as has the brake light switch (might end up
improvising something here) and she leaks some oil. I guess the latter is
normal for old vehicles but I'm going to have a go at tracking the problem
(s) down anyway. Must get some photos on the web at some point too. Thanks
in advance, Adrian - hey_its_adrian@yahoo.com.
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16th Dec 2001, 17:26 Hi. I have purchased a 1964 Commer for £650 about
3 months ago. I am not a mechanic or Technician, in fact I'm a nurse. I am
after any information I can get on Commer Vans as it is going to be my hobbie
to restore the van. Condition is'nt too bad but need a few spares. Would benefit
from buying another the same. Unsure if it is a PA or PB. Anyone with any
useful telephone numbers or information to help please send to chrishomer666@hotmail.com.
Thanks.
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