MORRIS MINOR VANS USED BY THE GPO & PO

In this part we home in on two restored survivors of early red Royal Mail vans, firstly a rubber-winged version registered as NYH 909 and one of the first metal wing mail vans registered as SLM 176.

The restoration of both vans is meticulous in detail, both carry the numerous ‘standard’ GPO fitments, but the most unusual feature of these early series II GPO vans (other than the rubber wings) was the opening driver’s half of the split windscreen, not to mention the wipers that were fitted above the screen. These vans were supplied without a heater, so to avoid getting misted up in bad weather, the driver’s side of the split-screen was simply opened and pushed outwards! You will also note that both carry the correctly fitted chrome hubcaps, in an attempt to keep production costs down during 1962, mail vans were supplied without them. Rear door stays were mounted externally, black metal door panels with chrome