Rootes75

We enjoy watching Bangers and Cash, just to see what's about these days. I would consider myself to be fairly young (early 40's) and I have always been interested in pre-war vehicles. My first was a 1937 Ford 10 that I bought when I was 17 and I still have it in the shed. I very much like British wartime vehicles but don't get me wrong US trucks of the period also interest me.

In the same sort of way, do you notice a lack of pre-war cars and trucks at shows these days? When I started out being interested as a teenager there used to be rows and rows of cars from the 1930's, now as time has gone on the trend is for cars more from the 70's/80's at our local shows. I also notice around our area that there is a lack of wartime British made vehicles anyway, it always makes it nicer to see them because of that. I know of quite a few vehicles tucked away in the vicinity of our village, very few will ever be seen or restored.

Great looking vehicle, very imposing.

Totally understand where you are coming from Andy. Have just read back some of your posts, you bought 2 of these? Am very keen on Rootes vehicles and have been trying to find a wartime Commer. This is very tempting.

I have been told on another forum that it was called the 'Second BEF'. I will have a look round to see what I can find.

I recall a story of my Grandfather, around the time of Dunkirk his regiment was boarded onto a troop ship and given notification they were being sent to France as reinforcements, I have a memory of him mentioning Cherbourg(?). After a few days aboard ship they were stood down and disembarked. Anyone have any knolwedge of soldiers being readied to be sent?

Do you think that when the paint starts going on its like seeing the light at the end of tunnel? I think it really does spur you on when it gets to this stage.

I think true barn finds are when people dont know they are there and then find them. I mean more about people who have things tucked away with no intention to do much with them, there must be lots of intances like that around.

I took the opportunity with petrol prices now below a pound a litre to take our 37 Hillman limousine out in the sunshine and fill the tank. When I got back to the yard a chap I know who usually works there stopped for a chat whilst locking the gates up. He mentioned a chap he used to work for locally who has a Morris Quad gun tractor tucked away in his shed, he has owned it for many many years and had a crane fitted on the back to be used in their garage. Its now hidden away behind lots of classic cars and alike and will probably never be sold on to be restored. Just made me wonder for a while how many vehicles must be tucked away in sheds up and down the country that will never be sold on or restored etc. Anyone else come across similar stories?

All coming together very well, it does look so much better to when paint starts going on.

Thsts a very nice piece of kit, it looks like a very sound project.

The Hartley Mask is what I have found available up till now on ebay etc. I have never seen a Lucas sidelight mask for sale, that would be an interesting find.

I have tried to find blackout masks for my 1937 Hillman 80.

I note the RAF Minx shown is not single colour but camoflage.

Superb metalwork.

Always good to have the correct literature, you will always need the reference material.

Condition rarely puts me off, I must admit to liking things that are deemed 'past restoration', its much more of a challenge. I do like the Humber but to go for something like that the price would have to be a lot lower. At the end of the day though a vehicles value is what someone is willing to pay for it not a theoretical value.

Nice vehicles, bit too pricey for me though. Would like to have a go at a wartime Commer.

That is a very good information source. I didnt realise there were that many Commer variants delivered either. I like the way it even lists the Karrier models too.

I also note there are more Minx's and some Tilly's in the background too.

I saw the one on Milweb and thought this may be the same.

Did the Humber sell in the end? Kevin

I will have a search for it on Youtube. We watched one yesterday on BBC iplayer that was about 45 mins long and was of interviews with veterans. Very interesting.

Been reading quite a lot this week about the Battle for France. So many people simply refer to Dunkirk but that last few weeks in May 1940 was one hell of a fighting retreat. So many acts of bravery from such young lads.

That would be interesting to see.