1979 Commer Van from UK and Ireland - Comments

This is a very rare van, about 2 a year are seen. Mine is in light blue - it sits outside my house everyday - I don't like using it much because there are no dealers left! The youngest Commer would have been made in about 1980! When used - only to go into Twickenham town itself, but that is hardly ever.

So old that it has no heater/radio, but I really like it. Good loadspace, rare, hopefully I might take it on a long run to give it a blast, but I won't take it over 60mph - too risky. Quite comfortable and roomy. Seats made of 1970s plastic - windscreen wipers weak. Fun van though - not often seen! Runs on 4 star petrol - I have only ever filled it up about 40 times!

Spares are available for these vehicles.

If you want more info email me: woodytom@madasafish.com

I don't if I've got the same vehicle as Woody - mine's a Commer 'Walk Thru', which I use on a virtually daily basis. Anyone with any Commer info can e-mail me at benitveal@hotmail.com.

I know of at least 2 other vans in Bristol, and in May (2001) I'll be travelling over to the Commer Club de Nedrland annual rally.

Any news of spares would be welcome - so far I've replaced/renewed virtually everything, and it's due to go in for a respray in a few weeks time.

I have a 7 ton 1963 Commer Horsebox based on the H5 design, coachbuilt by G.C. Smith. If anyone finds any, let me know as I want to start collecting & restoring them (for some obscure reason), or SPARES.

I also have the 7 and 9 ton maintenance handbook if anyone needs info.

Email: mat@eggblob.com

I also know where to get just about any bits for them except replacement windscreens. Check http://www.vintagevehicleneeds.com

I bought a 1973 Commer camper in September on a nostalgic whim for £600, having spent my youth holidaying in Dads. They're great, bodywork seems to go first but very useful and full of character. I'm doing mine up ready to go round France in it. Speedy Spares in Shoreham, Sussex have loads of spares for them - 01273 417889.

I have an ex-BT Dodge van (formally Commer). Its X-reg - the last year they made 'em.

Its lasted me 12 years, several holidays, house removals, piono transport etc.

I'm struggling this week to get it through the MOT. Its never been a problem before, but the bodywork is getting harder to cope with. Mechanically its sound - only 78000 miles.

I reckon that this time next year I'll have to let it go. Is there anyone likely to want it. Are there any enthusiasts?

Francis.kent@talk21.com.

Just bought 1977 Commer 2500 series minibus. Needs very little work but missing a front side light - know anywhere to get bits near Manchester?

Hello!

We own 3 Commers. We are currently doing up our 1968 model (F reg) with the parts off an old K reg.

We have lots of spares including an excellent perkins 4.203 engine, clutch & bell housing, tyres, a body for Mr Francis in Kent, a side light lense for your last caller & many more.

Our friends are enthusiasts & carry out excellent work on welding & fitting. They have just replaced all our brake pipes, caliper resealing, beam axle, king pins, new bearings in the hubs, pistons in the brakes, new half shafts, steering linkages etc.

We are currently after a full set of brake linings, chassis no. C15413X.

Please send us details of the Commer annual rally. We'd love to attend next years.

We insure through Norwich Union vintage car policy for around £130 a year limited to 3000 miles annually. We get complementary RAC cover with that!

We love our Commer & still visit the original owners who used it as a walkthrough shop. In fact we had a call off Gordon the other day & he got us in touch with his mate whom we bought the spare Commer from. We've even got original photographs!

Get in touch.

Lynne, Dazee & the girls.

We own two Commers - a PB Autosleeper Camper and a Handrian PA Coach built. Holland was cancelled this year F&M. May be rescheduled for September. Join the Classic Camper Club for details.

GORDON858@aol.co.uk

Hello again, 1977 Commer minibus here. Managed to fnd a side lens but now looking for a water thermostat housing for a 1725 petrol engine, mine's developed a crack in it and is fair chucking water out. Any ideas/offers. Commer rally in Netherlands sounds fun.

Contact Andrew on info@hulmegardencentre.org.uk.

I've a Commer walk-thru L reg all kitted out as motorhome. I've lived in said van for the past 4 years and am in the middle of selling for an up-grade to a bus!! As said before, the body is the first to go, but the Perkins diesel as per usual just goes on and on!!

Desperately seeking a manual at this time. let me know if one can either be lent/bought. I'd be most appreciative!

Dan @ leicfin@yahoo.com

Hello Commer lovers.

I have a 1976 CRG10 but she is sick. I need a new half shaft. Does anyone have a 10 ton axle that they are breaking for spares. Please help. Contact roughyhewn@talk21.com.

New to the world of Commer motoring! Dan here, just bought a 1976 Commer camper van for £400 quid. I was impressed how solid it was and everything was working. The MOT comes up at the end of November however and I would dearly love to see it sail through, if I need parts, any ideas about where to get them in advance would be greatly appreciated! Also any info on clubs and the like. I hope to get it ship-shape, re-sprayed and down to Spain. I've never owned a camper before but I think it will change my life! Any ideas how to fit a double bed inside? ;) Thankyou friends!

Dan email: mr_dan_wilson@hotmail.com.

Hi, I have a 1962 commer PA panel van with a 1592cc petrol engine. My van is the earlier version of the PB and so any body panels for a PB will fit my PA. If you have any that are either new or in extremely good condition that are second hand, could you please let me know. I am really after panels, but anything may be of interest.

Thanks in advance, Richard Williams

Can you email me at dickster_2001@hotmail.com

I've not long ago bought a 1978 1725cc Commer camper van. I don't have much information about its history, but I assume it was assembled here in New Zealand as the speedo is in kilometres rather than miles. Whether the camper equipment has been in it from new I don't know; it's certainly beautifully done: pop-top, two burner stove/grill, manual and electric water pumps and a massive double bed that's as wide as the van when it's all folded out. The stripy seat and cushion covers that someone's made at some point are just wonderful. I use it for day-to-day transport as well as for going away in and I'm definitely looking forward to the coming summer!

Now, if anyone can help me out with information and experiences with Commer vans I'd be very grateful. I'd love to know where I could get hold of a maintenance manual - I know they're not particularly complicated mechanically but I'm learning about engines as I go. She runs really well, the only current problems being that the radiator's had it (guess I'll get a recore done as parts are a bit thin on the ground here in NZ), as has the brake light switch (might end up improvising something here) and she leaks some oil. I guess the latter is normal for old vehicles but I'm going to have a go at tracking the problem (s) down anyway.

Must get some photos on the web at some point too.

Thanks in advance,

Adrian - hey_its_adrian@yahoo.com.

Hi. I have purchased a 1964 Commer for £650 about 3 months ago. I am not a mechanic or Technician, in fact I'm a nurse. I am after any information I can get on Commer Vans as it is going to be my hobbie to restore the van. Condition is'nt too bad but need a few spares. Would benefit from buying another the same. Unsure if it is a PA or PB. Anyone with any useful telephone numbers or information to help please send to chrishomer666@hotmail.com. Thanks.