Always the bridesmaids
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LIGHT VEHICLE operators hoping to see a large display of commercial vehicles at last week's Fleet News Motor Show held at the Wembley Conference Centre would have been disappointed. Even though MAN-VW fielded a massive 19 models (which for some reason best known to VAG included a 22.321 38-tonne tractive unit and a 12 metre SR 280 coach), light commercials were very much a secondary attraction in what is still essentially a fleet car exhibition.
Although this year's show was the first at which commercials have been exhibited, of the "Big Three" in the car-derived van sector — Ford, Austin Rover and Bedford — only Austin Rover included any commercial exhibits on its stand. Freight Rover, the largest selling exhibitor in the up-to-3.5tonne sector, had room for only two wide-bodied Sherpas, neither of which was a new model.
Brian Weatherley reports.
Above: The loss of the old Bedford HA has helped to give the Austin Rover nal a new lease of life. British Telecom has plans to buy over 2,700 models, This 1.3 litre petrol-engined 575 is part of an order for 100 vans placed by the Automobile Association which has 636 ltals currently running in its breakdown rescue fleet. Above right: Volkswagen's latest Golf van goes on sale in the UK this month fitted with the new 4IkW (55bhp) 1.3-litre petrol engine which replaces the old 1.1 unit. A 1.6-litre diesel version will be available in May.
Right: The Post Office has bought 300 of these Metro 310 vans, which are powered by the low compression 1-litre engine, as part of a small-van feasibility study. The front passenger seat has been removed and a parcels bulkhead installed behind the driver. All Post Office Metro vans are equipped with the new Michelin TD wheels and tyres, which have a limited run-flat capability and are normally only supplied on Metro cars.
Left: Body-lining kits can protect van tody shells from damage and improve resale values according to manufacturer Body Guard, which also makes step-up rear bumpers and load guards. The cost of a Transit size kit, which is supplied with all necessary screws and battens, is around £75; fitting time is between 25-30 minutes.
Below: Volkswagen has begun a programme of demonstrations to health authorities of its first British front-line ambulance model based on a high roof LT31 van and converted by FilcherGreene. The 67kW (90bhp) petrol-englned ambulance has a softer suspension package, heavy duty alternator and a a transverse bulkhead.
Right: Bri-Stor offers a number of sliding and fixed storage systems for service and delivery vans as well as a rear security screen for high-value loads that slides up into the van roof to allow easy access.
Below: Freight Rover preferred to exhibit Its long wheelbase 350 Sherpa fitted with the 2-litre petrol engine rather than the latest 501(141 (67bhp) 2.5-litre diesel unit, which has been well received by those fleet customers supplied with early production models. Freight Rover Is currently producing 440 wide-bodied models a week Including the increased capacity high-roof version launched at the end of January