The Classic & Vintage Commercial Show in Gaydon

Europe's largest veteran commercial vehicle show

On June 8, 2024, it was that time again: as every year, the British Motor Museum in Gaydon hosted the "Classic and Vintage Commercial Show" over two days. What is probably the largest gathering of its kind in Europe regularly attracts up to 400 commercial vehicles from before the year 2004, with participants from other countries adding to the diversity of classic commercial vehicles. Admission is also valid for the museum, with around 400 classic cars and more than 160 tables with models of all scales. Our freelancer Richard Stanier from Stoke-on-Trent provided us with a photo report of the event.

The British Motor Museum is located at Gaydon, Warwickshire, in the English Midlands, and is well worth a visit for the general automotive historian – there is a large display of historic cars displayed in a purpose-built museum.
For the truck enthusiast, the Classic and Vintage Commercial Show which is held at the site in early June each year is an unmissable fixture in the diary. In addition to three or four hundred classic trucks, the event also hosts a very large model show, with exhibitors from all over Europe, and a good variety of trade stands where models, photos and literature can be purchased. 
The classic truck show attracts a really good variety of commercial vehicles from many eras and makers, and the event is noted for its friendly atmosphere and as a place where enthusiasts can network and share their stories.
Here is a small sample of some of the vehicles in attendance this year.

Knowles Transport, which now trades as Knowles Logistics, is based in Cambridgeshire and operates 150 trucks. They also have an extensive collection of superbly restored classic trucks, of which this Guy Invincible is a fine example. This Invincible dates from 1966 and would have been one of the last built, as the Big J model was introduced in 1964 to replace the older range.
This Guy Big J4T was new to British Road Services in 1974 and was acquired by M Edwards transport in 1980. Mervyn Edwards operated the truck until 1994 and then it was parked in a shed, before being readied for the road by Mervyn’s son, Bob, this year. Presented in “as worked” condition, this Guy has a 335hp Cummins engine and is noted for its turn of speed.
The Leyland Roadtrain was a very popular truck in Britain during the 1980’s and R. Swain and Sons from Kent were noted operators, using examples which they bought second-hand from Royal Mail. This example is powered by the Perkins Eagle engine of 300hp. 
Not every truck at Gaydon has been polished! This 1961 Albion Clydesdale is owned by well-known Yorkshire truck restorer, John Murphy, who always shows a very workman-like vehicle. The card in the window states, “this is how lorries in the 60s and 70s really looked!”
The Ford HA Series “Transcontinental” is a firm favourite with enthusiasts, and there were several examples to be seen at the show. This one is a 5235 6x4 model registered in 1983. Although Transcontinental production was undertaken in Amsterdam, the final models were assembled at the Foden Paccar factory in Sandbach, England.
Britanniacrest Recycling is a major waste management company in Surrey which was founded by Ray Foss in 1993. The Foss family have a much longer history in transportation and have restored this truck in the livery of one of their earlier companies. It’s a 1963 Thames Trader which was converted to 6x4 configuration by County – a common conversion in those days.
This beautifully restored Volvo F88 in the livery of E&G Baker of Fulbourne, Cambridge, is an example of a special model built for the British market – The F88-290. F89 Volvos were not generally available in Britain as the engine position made it difficult to produce the vehicle in right-hand-drive form, so Volvo’s engineers uprated the output from the F88’s TD100 engine for operators that required greater power.
Vulcan lorries may be unfamiliar to many readers, but this British make was represented with two examples at Gaydon! Perkins – diesel powered examples were designated 6PF – and they first appeared in 1941 for essential civilian use, but production ceased in 1953.
The Iveco Turbostar is a “modern classic” and this excellent example belongs to Carruthers Brothers from Annan, Scotland. Built as a 190.48 4x2 tractor, it has had a tag-axle added in service and is powered by the 480hp V8 engine. 
McGovern were a major waste removal operator in London and the company owner, John McGovern, also had an extensive heritage fleet, of which this immaculate Scania LB110 was the latest addition. Unfortunately, John’s death early this year has meant that the fleet will be auctioned off.