Morris 1000 Post Office Van

Key facts

Year

1970
Country

Great Britain
Capacity

1,098cc
Cylinders

4
Valves

Overhead
Output

48bhp @ 5,100rpm
Performance

65mph
Price new

£516
Owner

National Motor Museum Trust
Manufacturer

Austin-Morris Division, British Leyland Motor Corporation

Light commercial vehicle versions of the popular Morris Minor were introduced in 1953. Over 300,000 vans, pick-ups and chassis/cabs were built up to February 1972. The Post Office was the biggest operator of Minor vans, with dedicated fleets for both postal deliveries and telephone engineers. Postal vans had a number of factory-fitted modifications such as internal partitions and additional locks on the side and rear doors. This vehicle was withdrawn from service in 1978, after eight years of use in the Epsom area. It was restored by apprentices at the Post Office’s Kidbrooke Central Repair Depot in London.

The first motor vehicles operated by the Royal Mail were Maudslay stores vans introduced in 1907. It wasn’t until after the First World War that motor vehicles were acquired for deliveries. Today the Royal Mail operates 49,000 vehicles.