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THE Austin 7 van which was expected to make its debut this week at the Austin commercial vehicle show organized by L. F. Dove (C.V.), Ltd., 96-98 Lower Addiscombe Road, Croydon, Surrey, did not appear. It was withdrawn at the request of the Austin Motor Co., Ltd. They are apparently still unable, to release details of this interesting front-wheel-drive vehicle, which was first mentioned last year by Sir Leonard Lord, chairman of the B.M.C., who forecast that it would be introduced in January. 1960. Nevertheless, Dove's display of 28 vehicles, including specialbodied types, is impressive and covers the Austin range comprehensively. from the A35 5-cwt. van to a forward-control tractor unit with a Brockhouse 10-ton semi-trailer. It was announced that L. F. Dove are now sole distributors for Brockhouse trailers in Kent, Surrey, Sussex and South London. One model displayed is the LD4 1-tonner. This vehicle and the similar LD5 30-cwt. have just been modified by the incorporation of synchromesh on all except first and reverse gears, and the adoption of hydraulic clutch-withdrawal mechanism. Dove offer a standard range of boxyan bodies for the Austin FG • forwardcontrol models. The body fitted to the 3-ton FG shown. has a capacity of 650 cu. ft. and costs £370. All the advantages of the angled cab doors are retained. The show, which has been open to the public since Wednesday, closes today. [The 1959 Dewar trophy for .the most outstanding technical performance of the year was presented in London on Monday to the British Motor Corporation and Mr, A. Assigonis for the design of the Morris Mini-Minor and Austin 7 cars. It remains to be seen whether the design is a successful basis for a commercial vehicle.]