Beschreibung
Historic and extremely rare Commer with interesting history
• Massive amount of conversion work completed
• Quality conversion with great attention to detail
• Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) 5T
• Registration plate valued at £4, 000 alone!
1955 COMMER FIRE TENDER
24, 000 miles on the clock. Straight 6 petrol engine. NO tax or MOT required. Reg EM6210 valued at 4K.
This vehicle is for sale with just a few small jobs left to do to make this the ultimate machine.
It has recently undergone extensive work to bring it to the level you see here:-
* Full body rub down and respray 2021. Graphics are vinyl and easily removed.
* Underneath sand blasted and painted.
* Wheels sand blasted and painted. All tyres good. New chrome hub caps.
* Interior covered with new 1mm alloy panels, insulated panels with a total internal respray.
* New sink/ gas burner. ( Not yet hooked in )
* Wiring in place ready of solar and TV connection.
* Original internal equipment restored.
* Holes cut for internal windows. Beading ready.
* Original bells cleaned up and front siren working.
* Complete modern rewire with many new lights.
* New distributor. Coil, HT leads, plugs & caps.
* Dynamo changed to alternator.
* 240v conversation with 240V sockets.
* 2 new wiper motors. Needs wiper arms.
* Reverse camera.
* New main battery and leisure battery. The battery charger needs looking at.
* New brake lines and cylinder seals. (shoes looked new)
* Water pump overhauled.
* Bumper and many parts powder coated.
* New fuel pump.
* New mega expensive chrome on the grill and front badge.
* New perspex roof fitted. (Mystic sealing still to do)
* All internal wood rubbed down and oiled.
* 2 Oak worktops.
* Rear seat box wrapped in 1mm alloy, painted and seat re-foamed and covered.
* Dashboard overhauled with new Lucas switches.
Too much really to list.
Comes with a selection of spare parts.
The bits that need attention are, gearbox leaks (I think this comes off the trans box with could actually be taken off). The gearbox is old and double clutch needs to mastered. The engine starts first time but is running rich. The side windows need the winders looking at. We have a local guy with a flat bed who could be available to help the buyer move this truck at the buyers expense.
BACKGROUND
Commer was a British manufacturer of commercial vehicles which existed from 1905 until 1979. The company started as the Commercial Car Company (CCC) in Lavender Hill, South London where it produced its first truck in 1907.
A couple of years later the first bus was produced and from there the range of vehicles grew to include car derived vans, light vans, medium to heavy commercial trucks and buses and military vehicles.
HISTORY
The forward control Commer QX chassis was the basis of one of the most popular fire engines of the early post-war era, with examples being operated by fire services throughout the United Kingdom.
The body was built by Alfred Miles & Sons, of Cheltenham, conceived as an Emergency Tender and Fire Control Vehicle. The Alfred Miles brochure had three pages devoted to its Commer fire engines, all of similar design but with different bodies and equipment.
This Commer was commissioned by Bootle Fire Brigade and entered service in 1955. Bootle is a County Borough to the north of Liverpool, and the Commer was based at Bootle Central Fire Station in Strand Road. Classed as a Large Emergency Tender, it was designed to supply emergency lighting, supplied by its own built-in generator.
It also carried heavy rescue equipment and breathing apparatus, and acted as a Control Point at larger incidents. In addition it carried specialist equipment for tackling dockside fires which was a major part of Bootle’s fire risk.
It was finally retired from service in 1972, whereupon it sat idle for 5 years before being purchased by an enthusiast who restored it to its original condition over the following years. Jump forward to 2020, and following another spell in storage it was purchased in a tired but amazingly solid state by the seller.
He then embarked on further restoration, but this time the Commer was to become a different sort of Control Point! It was to be a bar and catering, and promotional tool for his Motorcycling lifestyle brand OilyRag. For various reasons he has decided that he is unable to complete the project –a shame as it appears to be 90% done with only detailing remaining.
THE PAPERWORK
There does not appear to be much in the way of older paperwork. There is a Condition Report from January 1983, probably when the retired Commer was released to its private owner.
Much of the restoration work was carried out in-house, keeping the seller busy during lockdown. This means there is little paperwork covering the restoration, but there are plenty of photographs that document the work completed. The whole lorry was stripped back, and new smart grey and black colour scheme applied.
The Commer was remarkably sound, the majority of the external panels being riveted aluminium, with only the front cab made of steel. The external branding was applied using vinyl, so it can all be easily removed. The seller wanted to keep as many aspects of the original vehicle as he could so the siren and lights were all restored and returned to working order. The bells were cleaned and are also working.
The Gross Vehicle Weight of the Commer is 5Ton so can be driven on a car license if you passed your driving test prior to 1996.
THE INTERIOR
The plan was that the Commer would be a centre point at shows and events, dispensing drinks and food to club members. In order to do this the interior was covered with new 1mm aluminium insulated panels, the then resprayed. A new sink and gas two burner hob (still to be connected) were installed along with oak worktops. The interior was all rewired with extra lighting and sockets supplied by a power inverter at 240v with a new leisure battery.
There is wiring ready for TV and solar panels. Lots of the internal equipment, switches and gauges were restored and reinstalled to preserve the origins of the Commer – a nice touch. The dashboard area was also restored, the gauges cleaned and new Lucas switches added. The rear seat box was repanelled in 1mm aluminium, and then painted before new seat foam cushions were covered and mounted.
There are holes cut in the internal walls in order to open up the space, and the intention was to turn them into windows, the beading will come with the Commer. The Perspex roof was replaced, the new panels carefully curved to match the originals. This allows light to flood the interior, and provides a viewing area! There is still some sealing to be done before it is completed. There is also a useful reversing camera fitted to help with parking.
THE EXTERIOR
The outside of the Commer is most impressive, and it is easy to see the care and attention that has gone into the restoration. The paintwork is excellent; the smart grey and black paint scheme breaks up the flat panels and looks the business. The wheels were sandblasted and painted, and then treated to new hubcaps.
The tyres are all in good condition, with little wear. The underside was given the same treatment, all sandblasted before being painted in gloss black, all very tidy. The bumpers were powder coated black, and the original grille and Commer badge were sent away to be re-chromed –an expensive job, but the results speak for themselves. .
The seller noted that new wiper motors have been installed, but he has yet to get wiper arms and blades.
THE MECHANICS
The seller reports that the Commer has proved to be very reliable, starting first turn of the key, and drives well. The only item of note advised to us by the vendor is that the Commer is currently running "a little bit rich" and would benefit from a tune-up - described in his own words simply as if the choke is out permanently. The vendor feels that this would be a simple and straightforward issue to rectify by a qualified mechanic, and is keen to emphasise that the Commer starts 'on the button' without issue and runs perfectly at tick-over. He tells us it is quite easy to drive, with fantastic all round visibility, the only challenges being heavy steering when manoeuvring (–hardly surprising!), and a gearbox that requires double declutching to operate smoothly, an art that is easily mastered with a little practice.
The engine has been given a light overhaul, with new distributor, coil, HT leads plugs and caps. A new fuel pump and water pump were also fitted, and the brake system was checked with new brake lines installed along with brake cylinder seals; they now work well. The original dynamo was upgraded to a more modern alternator and a new battery was added.
The Commer will come with a selection of spare parts, some that he hasn’t had the opportunity to fit and other parts that should stay with the lorry. There are a few jobs that still need doing; the engine starts well but may be running rich, and there is a small oil leak from the gearbox that could be easily remedied.
THE APPEAL
Visit any outdoor event and you cannot help but notice the proliferation of mobile catering vans. Some of them are classics, some themed to match their wares.
But we think few will be as impressive as the Commer once the last few bits of restoration are completed. Whether it is a food venue, gin bar, mobile clubhouse, classic motorcycle transporter or historic race car hauler – it will be the centre of attention without a doubt.
With so much effort and expense already lavished on the Commer, we hope we can find a buyer with the vision to make it the spectacular centrepiece it deserves to be!
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
