A VAN FOR OUR TIMES

We visit the Classic Commercial Vehicle show to see how vans have evolved over the years

- Dean Gibson

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.