Commercial Appeal – The Joy of a Classic Van

The world of classic vehicles is, for lack of a batter phrase, vast. There are classic cars of course, though within them there are all sorts of subcategories like sports, luxury, convertible and so on. There are classic bikes, there are modern classics, there are motorhomes and campers, and of course, there are classic commercial vehicles. And we would argue that classic commercial vehicles are maybe the most special of all the classics. Why? Because, to be sadly blunt, they were never built with longevity in mind. So to survive through to today is nothing sort of miraculous.

Any vehicle has a hard life, that’s a given. Car, bike, camper – they’re all machines and as such, they are all subject to wear and tear. However, when it comes to vehicles of a commercial nature, there is the overbearing issue of them being a tool as much as a vehicle. Vans have to work, it is the very basis of their being. They are loaded, they are unloaded, they pile on the miles, they are driven in all weathers and they are subjected to knocks, bumps and bangs on the regular. In the case of pick ups, their life is even harder, thanks in no small part to usually being exposed to harsh environments like farms and building sites and so on. Survival is hard, but in the case of a select few, survive they do.

And while classic cars and bikes are great, there is something even more special about a commercial classic. These workaday heroes are woven in the tapestry of our minds. We remember the streets on which we grew up, the places we went, and in the background, we remember the cars, sure, but we have the commercial vehicles imprinted on our brains too. We remember the classic liveries of old, we remember seeing them bimbling about doing their busy work. We see them, and we’re transported back on a more personal level. An E Type is a glorious thing, but they weren’t common. An old van was, and thus they make for a more broadly accessible memory. That’s lovely.

Then of course there are the realities of owning a classic van. Sure, parts can be a bit harder to find, but don’t get bogged down by that. Instead, think of the possibilities! There is so much space. You could buy an old van or pickup and use it as a promotional vehicle for your business, which is sure to make your company name stick in people’s minds. You could buy a van and convert it into a camper, or a day van, or just board and carpet it out and have a truly pleasant yet utterly versatile space. You could do whatever you wanted. The world is your oyster. A classic commercial is arguably even more laden with opportunity than a classic car. Delightful.

We love a classic commercial vehicle, and it seems you lot do, too. Every van pictured here has been sold via Car & Classic Auctions, meaning you lot are willing to drop the cash to get your dream van, and rightly so. The little Commer Cob was our favourite, what with its period Fire Brigade lettering and its full assortment of breathing equipment still in the back. It was a proper little time capsule. But so it is with any van if you embrace it. Each one has had an interesting, hard working life. And each one that survives to classic status should be celebrated for doing so. Classic vans are important, they’re fun and they’re so wonderfully special. Buy a classic van for yourself and thank us later.