If you love old vehicles, but model the modern day scene, it could be difficult to justify an attractive older lorry appearing on your layout. OK, you can claim it's a classic enthusiast out for the day, but that day is normally Sunday and we tend to model a busy weekday scene.
Wandering down the south bank of the Thames the other day, I spotted a Bedford lorry converted to flog drinks. It's a neat job, although the back is somewhat taller than it would have been in the vehicles working life.
The firm obviously makes a thing of using Bedfords as a couple of minutes stroll brought me to another one. Looking closely, both are supported on bottle jacks. Presumably, they rock from side to side if not propped up like this.
I wonder where they find the lorries though? OK, they are covered in vinyl, but there didn't appear to be rusty bumps anywhere so I guess, some restoration has taken place when the conversion is carried out.
Nearby, there was also a Citroen H van. A long wheelbase version by the look of it. These aren't uncommon as there is plenty of space in the back - far more than the trendy VW and I suspect a good deal cheaper too. At the very least you get a back door which makes life a lot easier once converted to sell food.
3 comments:
Thought you were going to miss today
Harry Ramsdon also has used a Citron for Fish and Chips and I think there is at least another one in London it does the markets
Richard Preece
Nice pictures of the Bedford.
The bonneted Bedford's were very common on the roads in the fifties and sixties, and I'm mildly puzzled that no model of them has appeared from say Oxford. They even offer the ex-army austerity version, a much less frequently seen variant.
There seems to be a good supply of the Citroen H available for conversion - it must be twenty years or so since they were in regular use in France. They must have been more durable than first impressions suggested...
I've come across a number of those Citroen H van shop conversions over the years - often served up as "artisan food / coffee" takeaways - especially at outlet villages and exhibition venues. I think I even saw one in "Ally Pally" last year.
I suspect they might have front wheel drive - which would allow for a very low, flat, floor - this could be rather useful for a mobile shop.
I must admit to mixed feelings about seeing them (or other classic vehicles, such as AEC Routemaster buses) used in this way. Personally, I prefer my classic vehicles served up "stock" - but, if these conversions mean that the vehicles concerned avoid a pressing date with the "scruncher", this is starting to sound like a good thing.
Anyway, a lot of these things also happen to look far more interesting than the "identi-kit" modern stuff we'd otherwise see.
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