| Make |
Morris |
| Model |
Minor |
| Type |
External utility |
| Use |
Linesman's vehicle |
| Registration Number |
DYP 635 |
| Fleet Numbers |
U16492 to U16553 (DYP 455 - 516) 1937
U16554 to U16615 (DYP 633 - 694) 1937
U16616 to U16649 (DYP 838 - 871) 1937
U16650 to U16684 (EGU 43 - 77) 1937
U16688 to U16717 (EGU 201 - 230) 1937
U16718 to U16748 (EGU 289 - 320) 1937
U16750 to U16789 (EGU 601 - 640) 1937
U16790 to U16824 (EGU 722 - 756) 1937
U16826 to U16858 (EGU 884 - 916) 1937 |
| Date of picture |
1937 |
Utility Van for Linesman's use.
Note the
angled windows above the windscreen
which were used for spotting
overhead wiring problems.
Produced for the GPO, the Eight/Minor Hybrid van, had
the “look and feel” of the Minor vans to which its
postal workers, telephone engineers and the public were
accustomed. Whilst having the cosmetic appearance
of a Minor van, this hybrid vehicle used the chassis and
running gear of the Eight and Eight Series 1 models.
Production continued until the introduction of the Eight
Series Z van, which the GPO also purchased in large
numbers for postal & telephone service use.
Although most of the vehicle was Eight based, the van
with its Minor radiator was known by the GPO as the
Minor 35 cu ft.
The above information was taken from http://morrisregister.co.uk
Ray Holder from Bournemouth
comments:-
I drove U8272, reg. GUW272, for 3 or 4 years during the war around the
Wareham, Lulworth, Bovington and Purbeck area, and had ridden in it as a
passenger in 1938 as a Youth in Training., the picture is of the very same
version, the spokes in the wheels being in a straight line in the rims, whilst
the later version had alternate spokes in a different line in the rims.
The transmission shaft had canvas couplings instead of mechanical universal
joints, and these would fail at times, causing considerable vibration, and the
rear axle half shafts failed fairly often, breaking just inboard of the hub. These vans were often grossly overloaded and later versions had a double row
ball race hub bearing instead of the earlier single row type.
The passenger seat was a basic fold down flat piece of plywood, I found an
army seat cushion one day on the road, and that made life a bit more comfortable
for the occupant. The floor of the cabin was in lift out sheets, with a finger
hole just below the driver's trouser leg, and driving through an unseen large
puddle on the road resulted in a very wet leg!!!
The rear springs would weaken sometimes, and on a bouncy road the
transmission shaft would touch on the rear support for the floor panels, making
loud noises and lots of vibration.
The van had an automatic choke carburettor, with a temperature "sensor" on
the exhaust manifold. This was often unsatisfactory, and the float chamber top
air plug had to be removed, so that a screwdriver could be used to flood it and
start. The disadvantage of this was that a fly would find its way into the
petrol, and end up in the jet, so a quick removal of the float chamber was
necessary to clear the obstruction. I once had this loss of power after I had
overtaken a loaded tank transporter and only just drawn back in in front of it.
Fortunately he was able to stop in time.
Nicely restored vehicle in privet hands
Picture by Steve Knight |