Andrew Smith Posted May 24, 2020 Report Share Posted May 24, 2020 Can anyone tell me what car this is and what years they were made? I'm guessing the shoe on the roof are not OE.......... Thanks, Andrew Quote Link to post Share on other sites
OldBob Posted May 24, 2020 Report Share Posted May 24, 2020 57 Minx Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Misfit Posted May 24, 2020 Report Share Posted May 24, 2020 (edited) I had forgotten I had the van version of this in 1968 when working in London a commer cob van I believe. Edited May 24, 2020 by Derek Hurford Quote Link to post Share on other sites
OldBob Posted May 24, 2020 Report Share Posted May 24, 2020 Derek, Yes the original pic is that of a Cob I think, you can just see the higher roofline and it appears to have side windows fitted. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cew Posted May 24, 2020 Report Share Posted May 24, 2020 37 minutes ago, OldBob said: Derek, Yes the original pic is that of a Cob I think, you can just see the higher roofline and it appears to have side windows fitted. The windows and chrome headlight bezels suggests it could be the Hillman Husky variant or they could have been retro fitted Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew Smith Posted May 25, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2020 Thanks folks - it was Bevs Grandfather's. I found these pics in a bunch of old photos which were taken in about 1962. Here's another view, I've done a bit of Googling based on your info and yes, there's no chrome strip under the windscreen and the shape of the rear window suggests it could be a Series 1 Husky van? Cheers, Andrew Quote Link to post Share on other sites
roger murray-evans Posted May 25, 2020 Report Share Posted May 25, 2020 Not to forget that the Husky provided the underpinnings for both the Sunbeam Alpines and Tigers. Roger Murray-Evans Quote Link to post Share on other sites
OldBob Posted May 25, 2020 Report Share Posted May 25, 2020 8 hours ago, Cew said: The windows and chrome headlight bezels suggests it could be the Hillman Husky variant or they could have been retro fitted I think you are correct Clive, the grille has a Hillman badge on it, so probably a '57 Husky. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Misfit Posted May 25, 2020 Report Share Posted May 25, 2020 My commer was mechanically sound, the body solid but far from concourse odd dent with a few scratches, bought it like that. It was ideal transport for London those days, people avoided me, mind you a lot still do. Aaaah Quote Link to post Share on other sites
OldBob Posted May 25, 2020 Report Share Posted May 25, 2020 34 minutes ago, Andrew Smith said: Thanks folks - it was Bevs Grandfather's. I found these pics in a bunch of old photos which were taken in about 1962. Here's another view, I've done a bit of Googling based on your info and yes, there's no chrome strip under the windscreen and the shape of the rear window suggests it could be a Series 1 Husky van? Cheers, Andrew Andrew, your family vehicle obviously has side windows and a rear seat. Here's a pic of some the extras avalable which clearly shows the seat but not the windows. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mike ellis Posted May 25, 2020 Report Share Posted May 25, 2020 (edited) Side windows would not have been offered as an extra on the Commer Cob as then purchase tax would have been payable hence the Husky version having the side windows as standard. The other issue was the speed limit as a van, whether privately licensed or not, was subject to a 30 mph speed limit, once it had been fitted with side windows and seats it was not restricted. I learnt to drive on a '56 Cob (this was the earlier shape to the car in Andrew's picture) which had been converted, very easy to drive as I think the vans had lower gearing. Mike Edited May 25, 2020 by mike ellis Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Andrew Smith Posted May 25, 2020 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2020 Thanks folks, an excellent forum response as usual - even though not TR related. Many thanks again for clearing up the mystery, at least to me. Cheers, Andrew Quote Link to post Share on other sites
OldBob Posted May 25, 2020 Report Share Posted May 25, 2020 1 hour ago, mike ellis said: Side windows would not have been offered as an extra on the Commer Cob as then purchase tax would have been payable hence the Husky version having the side windows as standard. The other issue was the speed limit as a van, whether privately licensed or not, was subject to a 30 mph speed limit, once it had been fitted with side windows and seats it was not restricted. I learnt to drive on a '56 Cob (this was the earlier shape to the car in Andrew's picture) which had been converted, very easy to drive as I think the vans had lower gearing. Mike That brochure was obviously for the Husky then Mike, (chrome headlamp rims visible) meaning you would (or could) buy a Husky with windows but no seat fitted. (It was incorrectly listed as a Cob pamphlet). Quote Link to post Share on other sites
mike ellis Posted May 25, 2020 Report Share Posted May 25, 2020 Not entirely sure Bob as there are lots of pictures on the Web showing Cobs with no side windows but some with chrome rims and some without. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cew Posted May 26, 2020 Report Share Posted May 26, 2020 On 5/25/2020 at 11:06 AM, mike ellis said: Side windows would not have been offered as an extra on the Commer Cob as then purchase tax would have been payable hence the Husky version having the side windows as standard. The other issue was the speed limit as a van, whether privately licensed or not, was subject to a 30 mph speed limit, once it had been fitted with side windows and seats it was not restricted. I learnt to drive on a '56 Cob (this was the earlier shape to the car in Andrew's picture) which had been converted, very easy to drive as I think the vans had lower gearing. Mike The rules on purchase tax status on commercial vehicles was quite bizarre. My father bought a new Bedford Utilibrake (Martin Walter conversion) 12 seater in the late 50s and another in the early 60s, and although it was purchase tax exempt as a 12 seater the double front passenger seat was an extra because it would seem the vehicle was derived from a van, most odd. You also had to notify HM customs if you added windows to a van within ,I think 3 ,maybe 5 years, after initial purchase. Andrews picture ,I would guess, shows an original car where as the web pictures may well have had the "bling" added at a restoration or similar Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stillp Posted May 26, 2020 Report Share Posted May 26, 2020 2 hours ago, Cew said: The rules on purchase tax status on commercial vehicles was quite bizarre. Also on kit cars. I believe they were exempt from PT as long as the builder did not have professional help, but an assembly instruction manual counted as professional help, so early Lotus kits came with a loose-leaf manual on how to take a car apart and put it back in the shipping crate. Pete Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stuart Posted May 26, 2020 Report Share Posted May 26, 2020 16 minutes ago, stillp said: Also on kit cars. I believe they were exempt from PT as long as the builder did not have professional help, but an assembly instruction manual counted as professional help, so early Lotus kits came with a loose-leaf manual on how to take a car apart and put it back in the shipping crate. Pete A little more background on conversions and Purchase tax from that time http://www.e83w.co.uk/carmechanics.htm Stuart. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Dave McDonald Posted May 26, 2020 Report Share Posted May 26, 2020 On 5/24/2020 at 10:49 PM, OldBob said: 57 Minx I learnt to drive and passed my test in the family 1957 Hillman Minx, Reg ULB 856. 1390 cc 4 cylinder with column change with very low ratio first gear and handbrake on right side of drivers seat. My driving instructor (Dad) felt very uneasy about having absolutely no contact with any brake whatsoever during our early lessons. Ours was a series 1, like the one below. I think that's a series 11 above. Dave McD Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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