JB's- JB

A J type get together.

2011-12-20T03:13:00.000-08:00

Now in fact at this little J van get together there were 5, Yes 5 vans, the other 3 were hiding in a not quiet on the road kind of a way. So John and Andrews van met up and then went over to see Mikes three vans, two of which are big projects but he will get there one day.

Pictures from previous owners of our van.

2011-11-29T04:20:00.000-08:00

Now our van had an Austin 101 grill but from these pictures it seems there was a Morris grill in the back, also looking through the open door window there is another J type van, I wonder what happened to that?

Now click HERE to see further rally pictures when 3, yes 3 J types met up at the recent HCVC commercial rally.

Out and about at the weekend.

2011-10-13T04:26:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday, period vehicles and steam. What could be better.

2011-10-03T01:36:00.000-07:00

We have recently added some seats to make our van more comfortable, and the Van is now registered as true 4 seater (For the first time in its life)
Not truly authentic, but practical and safer for this day and age
We removed the rear seat that came from the Van's last owner and put in a Mate's Seat and a double seat
We managed to buy all the seats out of a Toyota High Ace commuter bus (One three seat, 3 two seats, and 2 single seats all nicely cloth covered) and as the package was with all the lap seat belts, the driver's seat has now go a lap belt as well !
We even managed to sell all the leftover seats and make a profit.

I came across this booklet, dated December 1951.

2011-09-21T03:27:00.000-07:00

I came across this booklet. I had not seen one of these before so have uploaded it on-line so all can view it. Click on the links on the right hand side to download a selection of J related manuals. Did you know that the pre-war MG TD rear axle has the same internals and brake drums (if fitted with steel wheels not wire wheels). You can get NEW crown wheel and pinions in 4.875 to 1, 5.125 to 1 and 5.444 to 1. All would be better than the 5.625 to 1 that is standard fit now that our vans are used on more longer trips than the start stop delivery work it was designed for.

Improvements to the steps.

2011-06-09T02:21:00.000-07:00

After a couple of trips in the van, one being in the rain so improvements were needed to the step area. Not least to keep the water out thrown up by the wheels.

Step finished.

Step with plywood base.

Step with stainless steel insert, with all the edges well sealed with silicon.

The van is ready for the open road.

2011-05-10T02:06:00.000-07:00

After a lot of trouble and inspections by three different garages, I finally got the Van a roadworthy certificate (MOT to you guys in the UK), and it now has a new set of number plates
I guess we can now say it is past its renovation period and into its showing off period.
We took it out on its first outing yesterday, a club picnic, but it was forecast to rain and we were joined only by 2 modern cars
The door step on the drivers side hasn't been properly made, and in the rain water comes off the front wheel, in through the step and onto the roof in the inside at the back. The water then runs forward on the channel holding the top section on, and lands on the driver - that is me.
A new foot-well plate inside both front doors is a must before it goes out in the rain again
The Van has new signage - on my Side "Mr JB's JB" and on Annette's side "Mrs JB's JB" It looks rather smart
For those of you that haven't followed all this blog my first name is John and my surname begins with a B - That is why I HAD to have a JB Van
I have been promised photo's of the van (by the vendor two sellers ago) when it was undergoing a bare metal respray a few years ago, so these are coming, and lots more trips with other MORRIS vehicles are planned. The Club we take this out with has lots of Morris cars, but most are 1920 so our Van is really young.

The JB grill fitted some time ago and still sporting the old rego plates.

JB's van truly becomes a JB.

2010-12-19T04:57:00.000-08:00

With the purchase of a JB grill from Kim a fellow J type van owner and restorer. It has been delivered from Kim to here, a trip of over 3000 km. Already it is nearly finished being repaired, painted and will soon be fitted
If I hurry up and get on with it I will post a picture of it fitted before Christmas. I will get the van on the road next year.
May I take this opportunity to wish all fellow J owners around the world a fantastic Christmas.
As they say " The only way is a J ".

No words needed.

2010-11-01T03:39:00.000-07:00

No words needed, the pictures of the fleet out in the sunshine tell it all.

Purchased and brought home.

2010-10-01T02:18:00.000-07:00

Views of the van in it's new home.

Australian chassis plate showing 45066 dating to approximatly late 1959 early 1960. But as no prefix has been stamped on it, we are not sure if its a rare Australian Austin 101 or a Morris JB. (with an austin grill).

Damaged body plate.

Replacement engine has been reconditioned, the original aluminium plate has been removed and the new engine number stamped straight onto the cast iron block.

An Australian extra plate on the panel above the near-side windscreen.

Posing, showing off its original chrome bumper, a nice looking van.

Below are some pictures of the van some time ago.