Given my interest in old trucks and houses, I’ve always had a soft spot for this type of rig. I’ve seen (but not shot) some amazing house trucks over the years, but they’re not exactly getting any more common (quite a few are stashed away in backyards in Eugene). Kiwi Bryce posted this at the Cohort, as well as a more modest-scale step-van conversion:
Anybody know the maker of this one? A bit out of my (hemi)sphere of knowledge.
Well according to CarJam it’s a Commer. Looks to me like a custom body. It looks like the track is a bit too wide to be a Commer van, so perhaps a truck chassis.
I’m sure Bryce will be on to it soon…..
Lol, I was just about to check carjam too, you’ve saved me the effort! Looks like it was formerly a Towel Services van maybe. It’s a ’74 model, there’s another ’74 Commer on trademe with a similar cab. I wonder if they did chassis-cab models? The only non-cabover Commers I can recall from the 70s are the Superpoise, which had bigger wheels with more wheel studs I think. Nice to see Marine Parade on CC Bryce!
Yeah its a Commer but a small one using truck parts rather than a light duty van made of Hillman parts.Finally Ive stumped Paul and Ive shot some unusual cars for him to identify.
Wherever we may be going
Wherever we may roam
It’s so nice to know
Wherever we may go
We’re never far far from home
We’re never far far from home
By Bobby Susser
Down here in Texas…
There is another connection because the British army used Bedford trucks like this one
Gotta love the Bedford TA, which looks like a Chevy/GMC Advanced Design truck from an alternate universe. Well, it sort of is; it’s the UK version. I think the main cab section and doors are identical to a Chevy or very close. The fenders, grille and hood are obviously different.
House trucks like that abound in Aotearoa and many old Bedfords are still alive under them.
I grew up surrounded by these Bedfords in Argentina. Aside from their normal trucking hauling duties they were widely used as school buses. (which are painted garishly orange in Argentina.
With a little cutting and welding, one can turn a 70′ mobile home and a dually truck into a motor home! Just watch that overhang when turning! Don’t take out any utility poles!
It’s a Commer (Dodge/Chrysler) Walk Thru