Commercial Vehicles Then VS Now

Road trips were a big thing in the 1980s. Fighting over the best seats in the car and constantly stopping as a result of car sickness (my brother not me). I remember easing the lid from the golden tin of travel sweets on most journeys, only for a plume of powdered sugar to erupt and cover the entire car, you know the ones that I am referring to.

In order to keep us tyrants entertained to some degree, the parents would whip out an I-spy book. This in itself would cause drama between my brother and me as to who saw what first or who was going to jot it down in the book.

If you don’t know the I-Spy books, they all follow a consistent format. Each book focuses on a particular theme, such as animals, vehicles, or nature. The books are small, usually pocket-sized, and contain numerous colourful illustrations or photographs of objects related to the theme. The goal is for children to identify and “spy” these objects from their surroundings.

I was always fascinated with the commercial vehicles on the road, as back then a car was just a car. Commercial vehicles had pictures, and information, differing in typography treatments. This made a few sneak back into my memory bank from our long car journeys as children.

In the 1980s, the UK saw the popularity of several iconic commercial vehicles.

Here are some of the most notable ones:

Ford Transit: The AA

The Ford Transit is one of the most recognisable commercial vehicles in the UK. It was widely used for various purposes, including delivery vans, minivans, and even camper conversions.

Bedford Rascal: Royal Mail

The Bedford Rascal, also known as the Suzuki Supercarry, was a small commercial van that gained popularity in the 1980s. It was often used for local deliveries and tradesmen’s vehicles.

Leyland DAF 200 Series: British Gas

The Leyland DAF 200 Series was a range of light commercial vehicles produced by Leyland DAF. It included vans, pickups, and chassis cabs, which were widely used for commercial purposes.

Morris Ital Van: British Telecom

The Austin Maestro Van was a compact commercial vehicle derived from the Austin Maestro hatchback. It provided a versatile option for businesses needing a smaller delivery vehicle

These are just a few examples of the iconic commercial vehicles of the 1980s in the UK. Each of these vehicles played a significant role in the commercial landscape and left a lasting impression on the transportation industry of that era. Is it just me or are a lot of them yellow? Job lot on paint back then?

Famous commercial vehicles in TV and Film in the 1980s

GMC Vandura (The A-Team)

The team’s strong man, mechanic and Sergeant First Class Bosco “B.A.”, or “Bad Attitude”, Baracus (Mr. T) owns and drives the black and metallic grey GMC Vandura van used by the A-Team. With its characteristic red stripe, black and red turbine mag wheels, and rooftop spoiler, the van has become an enduring pop culture icon.

International Harvester Metro Van (Teen Wolf – Wolfmobile)

As Scott “Teen Wolf” Howard, the star’s abilities as a basketball supremo brought about the creation of the Wolfmobile.

In the film, Rupert “Stiles” Stilinski, keen to seize on his friend’s newly-found popularity when his werewolf powers are discovered, takes his entrepreneur skills to a new level and sells Teen Wolf T-shirts and merchandise from a postal service-style step-van. The Wolfmobile’s creation culminates in Teen Wolf taking to the roof of the moving vehicle to surf, dance and backflip his way into the hearts of the locals, as well as eventual girlfriend Lisa “Boof” Marconi.

Lambretta Voiturette – (Postman Pat)

While Postman Pat’s van may not technically be real… It has made its way into the article. The van itself was based on a 1980 Lambretta Voiturette, but the engine noise is recorded from a 1922 Morris Cowley ‘Bullnose’. While the ingredients to create Postman Pat’s van may have been obscure, the van pootled into the mainstream of children’s TV and is still going strong on the streets of Greendale today.

And of course… Reliant Regal Supervan (Only Fools and Horses)

The three-wheeled van is often misidentified as a Reliant Robin. The name ‘Supervan’ may be a bit optimistic on Reliant’s part but its tiny load capacity and funny looks were a perfect fit for its comedic role as the Trotter family’s transport of choice in the Only Fools and Horses comedy series.

What does the future for commercial vehicles hold?

In less than a decade, electric vehicles (EVs) have gone from a niche product to the nearly inevitable choice for tomorrow’s automotive players. Light commercial vehicles (LCVs), such as panel vans and minibuses, are likely to follow this same path toward electrification, primarily because of increased demand from private and large commercial customers that are decarbonizing their vehicle fleets as part of their sustainability strategies.

Bringing in cult classics such as the Morris JE (EV)?

The Morris JE is the revolutionary electric van that combines cutting-edge battery technology and lightweight carbon-fibre construction with classically-inspired British design. This unique blend of advanced EV construction and beautiful British craftsmanship makes the Morris JE a refreshing and highly-desirable solution to sustainable, carbon-neutral transport.

Is it Electric upcycling? – Lunaz is accelerating electrification in commercial vehicles.

Classic car electrification causes more controversy than any part of the EV revolution, and one of the most contentious conversions of all has been Lunaz’s Rolls Royce Phantom.

Lunaz’s wider goal is more mainstream…

“We have started with the Mercedes Econic platform, which is one of the largest selling trucks of its kind in Europe,” says Lorenz. “But it’s got multiple applications.” The initial one of these Lunaz is focusing on is refuse collection. 

A commercial vehicle such as a refuse truck can have a very precise daily distance prediction, and that makes it possible to adjust battery size to meet needs exactly.

Although commercial vehicle production will dwarf the classic cars, the latter have been essential in generating publicity for Lunaz. “If you build the world’s first electric Rolls-Royce, you’re going to get pretty good brand recognition,” says Lorenz.

In conclusion – The transition to electric vehicles presents several challenges for commercial fleet managers, including infrastructure, range, operational, and financial obstacles. However, commercial fleets can overcome these challenges and successfully transition to EVs. The adoption of electric vehicles will not only help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality but also lead to a more sustainable and efficient transportation system.

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