Advertising Last completed movie pages
1958 Commer Express 8cwt Ep. 1.06Class: Cars, Van / MPV — Model origin: 
![[*]](/res/star.png){kind=small}
Background vehicle
Comments about this vehicle| Author | Message |
|---|---|
|
◊ 2010-05-24 11:25 |
Hillman? |
|
◊ 2010-05-24 13:21 |
Looks like a Commer 10 cwt van which was the commercial version of the Audax Hillman Minx. |
|
◊ 2010-05-24 15:01 |
Well, yes, loosely. Rootes simply grafted the Audax Minx grille on to the existing Commer van, rather crudely IMHO. |
|
◊ 2010-05-24 16:08 |
Commer Express I guess from here?![[Image: expressdeliverybrochure.2184.jpg]](http://pics.imcdb.org/0is534/expressdeliverybrochure.2184.jpg) http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/express-delivery.htm |
|
◊ 2010-05-24 16:11 |
Yes, that's the one .gif ":)") |
|
◊ 2015-03-08 20:58 |
Have tidied various titles for 8cwt/Van/Express into 1939+ 8cwt Van or 52+ 8cwt Express |
|
◊ 2019-11-20 22:23 |
^ Yes dsl, the Supervan and Express van saga continues apparently. I read somewhere the Express van probably ended in 1966, by then it had gone from 8cwt to 10cwt. The actual 'Audax-Minx' grille was not used rather it appears to be a simplified grille with a central bar for Commer vans only (but not the later Cob). |
|
◊ 2019-11-21 00:35 |
As far as I can tell (from incomplete Glass's info supported to some extent by book info) the post-war sequence was - Autumn 47 - postwar Supervan relaunch with alligator bonnet and separate wings (as Minx Phase II), stepped roofline behind cabin for taller load area, 1185cc side-valve - Sept 48 - new full-width front Supervan (as Minx Phase III) without separate wings, roofline fully integrated over cabin and rear load area, no mechanical change - Sept 49 - renamed Express with increase to 1265cc side-valve, separate front sidelights but apparently no other styling changes - this matches Minx Phase IV upgrade - Oct 51 (possibly) - very slight trim changes with vertical bars on grille ends, chrome strip on front wings. These match Minx Phase V tweaks and are visible in a brochure pic, but no other info found or date confirmation - March 53 - new larger curved front grille (as Minx Phase VI), nothing mechanical - Oct 53 - Pick-up added, Minx went to Phase VII with bigger boot but no Commer change mentioned - Sept 54 - Minx went to Phase VIII (central bar in grille, 1390cc OHV engine) but the only mentioned Commer change was flashing indicators (so semaphores disappeared??) - July 55 - Commer went to 1390cc OHV with "new front end styling" - maybe the central grille bar?? - March 57 - "Revised front end and seats. Larger rear windows". I guess this is the point where the May 56 Audax Minx S1 grille was added (and based on your linked pictures above, one of which appears in my book, I think this is a full Minx S1 grille and not a simplified version) - Aug 58 - Commer went to 1494cc, as Minx S3 did a month later. Nothing about grille changes (either to match Sept 57 Minx S2 or the imminent S3) - another apparent gap until Aug 61 - Aug 61 - 1592cc upgrade (as Minx S3c did at the same time) - book says this was "its last incarnation". - July 62 discontinued according to Glass's. Neither mention 8cwt becoming 10cwt, but likely candidates are Aug 58 1494cc upgrade or Aug 61 1592cc. Also I don't remember seeing any Expresses with newer Minx Series grilles than the S1, so I guess it may have stayed unchanged until the end in mid-62. However I was very very very young during this era and did not take much notice of vans from my pram ...... |
|
◊ 2019-11-21 01:05 |
Also noted that the Matchbox #50 "Commer Pickup Mk VIII" has the curved grille with central bar - here or here, which I'm assuming was the July 1955 revision with 1390cc upgrade. Unfortunately the model was launched in 1958, so was already an obsolete grille following the March 57 facelift. |
|
◊ 2019-11-21 12:50 |
Thank you dsl for your detailed timeline of changes. I'm trying to see how to divide up and start analysing the existing Express and to a lesser extent Supervan listings. Since it looks to be of immediate interest, I will look at the Audax Series I front end changes. I guessed wrongly that they had tacked-on a new grille rather than change most of the panel-work. However a new lower bonnet, new front panel and possibly revised front wings plus slightly higher bumper I think was the result. -- Last edit: 2019-11-21 12:50:45 |
|
◊ 2019-11-21 13:46 |
I guess the Audax-based facelift would use as much of the new bodywork as possible (wings, bonnets, bumpers etc) to simplify manufacture and stocks, and so they could stop having to produce the older pressings for just a single low volume item. So if the new front end could be adapted sucessfully, they'd do it. |
|
◊ 2019-11-21 14:02 |
Audax-pressings were considerably different, more sculptured and flowing in cross section, plus the bonnet-front panel join was lower on the Audax than all Express models.![[Image: commer-express-delivery-van-period-photograph.jpg]](http://pics.imcdb.org/558/commer-express-delivery-van-period-photograph.jpg) Latest conclusion is that grille is new also but almost a copy of Series 1 however more upright and less forward protrusion to match almost unchanged? front wings. |
|
◊ 2019-11-21 14:21 |
OK - comment withdrawn about just dropping the Audax front end onto the van. Minx (and Husky/Cob) wings had a swage line, and as you say the bonnet front panel was different. I'm still not sure about any difference in the grille itself, but not really a significant issue. Husky and Cob S1 (launched 1959) used Minx S2 grille, so lagged behind the Minx which was S3a at that point, and I don't think they offer anything helpful here. |
|
◊ 2019-11-21 14:33 |
Yes, getting into too much detail now. (Having to use photographs which are less numerous than brochures and adverts which are little more than Rootes style cartoons.) I guess the van was built in the same location as passenger models but design departments could be divided - separate between cars and commercials. |
Add a comment Advertising Advertising
