Editing Commer (section)

== Light commercial vehicles ==

=== Commer 8 cwt ===

[[File: Commer 8 cwt (1934-1939).jpg |thumb| Commer 8 cwt (1934-1939).]]

The Commer 8 cwt <ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.doria.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/87072/fd2011-pp00003601-pdf001.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y |title= Commer 8 cwt |date=1935-01-01|publisher= Commer (1935) |access-date=2025-05-30}}</ref> was a light commercial vehicle produced by Commer during the 1930s, competing in the 8 long cwt (410 kg) van range. It had a four-cylinder engine with 1185 cc. The bore was 63 mm and the stroke was 95 mm. The maximum power was 33 hp at 4100 rpm.
The tank had a capacity of 33 liters. The wheelbase was 2340 mm.

=== Commer Light Pick-up ===
[[File:Commer utility.jpg|thumb|Commer Light Pick-up]]
The Commer Light Pick-Up was a [[pickup truck]] based on the [[Hillman Minx]] saloon and produced by Commer during the 1950s;<ref name=CommerUte>{{cite magazine | first = Robert | last = Penn Bradly | title = The Commer Ute | magazine = Restored Cars | number = 160 | pages = 38–42 }}</ref> a similar Hillman-badged model was also produced.<ref>[http://www.sa.hillman.org.au/ID_UteMkVIII.htm Mark VIII Light Pick-up (utility)] Retrieved from www.sa.hillman.org.au on 22 August 2012</ref> The Mark III was powered by a {{convert|1184|cc|abbr=on}} [[Multi-cylinder engine#Four-cylinder engines|four-cylinder engine]], the Mark VI by a {{convert|1265|cc|abbr=on}} unit and the Mark VIII by a {{convert|1390|cc|abbr=on}} engine.<ref name=CommerUte/> Production ended in about 1958.<ref name=CommerUte/>

Australian production circa 1950 included a [[coupé utility]] variant with an additional side window.<ref>[http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/commer.htm A rare utility/pickup truck based on Hillman/Commer mechanicals, www.oldclassiccar.co.uk] Retrieved 11 September 2015</ref>
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=== Commer Express Delivery Van ===
[[File:Commer Express Delivery Van (15899072350).jpg|thumb|Commer Express Delivery Van]]
The Commer Express Delivery Van was a light commercial vehicle produced by Commer during the 1950s, competing in the {{convert|8|-|10|long cwt|kg|abbr=on}} van range.<ref name=oldclassiccar>[http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/express-delivery.htm The Commer Express Delivery van] Retrieved from www.oldclassiccar.co.uk on 22 August 2012</ref> It was based on the [[Hillman Minx#Minx Mark I to VIII (1945–57)|Hillman Minx]] saloon and evolved in parallel with that model,<ref name=oldclassiccar /> with designations ranging from Mark III to Mark VIIIB.<ref>[http://www.sa.hillman.org.au/Lib01.htm Club Library Parts Catalogu es] Retrieved from www.sa.hillman.org.au on 22 August 2012</ref> The 1957 model, which featured a load space of {{convert|100|cuft|abbr=on}} and a payload of approximately 9 cwt, was powered by a {{cvt|1390|cc|abbr=on}} four-cylinder Hillman engine and was fitted with a four-speed column-change gearbox.<ref name= oldclassiccar/> It had coil-sprung [[Independent suspension|independent front suspension]] and [[drum brakes]] all round with twin-leading-shoe units at the front.<ref name=Weir>{{cite magazine|last=Weir|first=Leslie|title=Shetland Classics|magazine=Classic Van and pick-up|page=7|publisher=Kelsy Publications|date=November 2016}}</ref>

It was replaced by the [[Commer FC]] vans.<ref>{{cite web |last=Carr|first=Robert|title=Auction Site Classic: 1980 Dodge Spacevan – Can 27,000 Telephone Engineers be Wrong? |url=https://www.curbsideclassic.com/uncategorized/auction-site-classic-1980-dodge-spacevan-can-27000-telephone-engineers-be-wrong/ |website=Curbside Classic|date=12 March 2015|access-date=4 October 2021}}</ref>
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=== Commer Cob ===
[[File:1961 Commer Cob (9207683336).jpg|thumb|1961 Commer Cob]]
The Commer Cob is a 7 cwt delivery van introduced in early 1956 based on the [[Hillman Husky]],<ref>[http://www.classiccarcatalogue.com/HILLMAN%201956.html HILLMAN 1956] Retrieved on 12 August 2012</ref> itself a derivative of the Hillman Minx Mark VIII.<ref name=simonscars_Cob>[http://www.simoncars.co.uk/commer/cob.html Commer Cob] Retrieved from www.simoncars.co.uk on 12 August 2012</ref> Although similar to the ''Express'' it was shorter overall with a smaller payload area and a more rounded design.<ref name=Weir/> In 1958 new Cob and Husky models were introduced, based on the "[[Hillman Minx#Audax design Hillman Minx (Series I to Series VI, 1956–67)|Audax]]" Hillman Minx.<ref name=simonscars_Cob/>
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=== Commer Imp Van ===
{{Main|Hillman Imp}}
[[File:1969 Hillman Imp Van 900cc Front.jpg|thumb|1969 Hillman Imp Van 875cc]]
The Commer Imp Van was introduced in September 1965<ref name=imps4ever>[http://www.imps4ever.info/family/van.html Commer Imp Van] Retrieved on 12 August 2012</ref> and was based on the [[Hillman Imp]] saloon.<ref name=rootes-chrysler>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070204050054/http://www.rootes-chrysler.co.uk/car-development/dev-imp.html The range expands; status quo maintained] Retrieved on 12 August 2012</ref> It was renamed as the Hillman Imp Van in October 1968, with total production reaching 18,194 units prior to it being phased out in July 1970.<ref name=imps4ever/> The last generation of the [[Hillman Husky]] estate car, which was introduced in July 1967,<ref name=rootes-chrysler/> was based on the Imp Van and used the same sheetmetal ahead of the B-pillar.<ref name=simonscars>{{cite web|url=http://www.simoncars.co.uk/hillman/imp.html|website=simoncars.co.uk|title= Hillman Imp, Super Imp, Husky and Californian|access-date=12 August 2012}}</ref>

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=== Commer BF ===
[[File:Ambulance Coventry Transport Museum.jpg|thumb|Commer BF based ambulance]]
The Commer BF was a light/medium duty [[van]] produced by Commer from 1957, with a design similar to that of the present [[Multi-stop truck|step-van]]. Many examples of these vans were coach-built as [[Ice cream van|ice cream vans]] and [[Ambulance|ambulances]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://whippy.com.au/ |title=Trevor Thornton |access-date=2010-07-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110217233821/http://www.whippy.com.au/ |archive-date=17 February 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> A number of [[chassis cab]] versions were also produced but most of these went for export to countries such as [[Hong Kong]], where they were converted as [[Pickup truck|pickup trucks]] and [[Box truck|box trucks]] with local bodywork and some other modifications. It had a {{convert|1.5|LT|abbr=off|comma=off}} payload and relatively powerful engines for its size and time. Production ended in 1966 after Commer had launched the newer [[Commer#Commer_Walk-Thru|Walk-Thru]] in 1961, leading to the BF being offered as a cheaper alternative to what eventually became its successor.<ref>{{cite web |title=Commer BF van by Matchbox |url=https://gibitrains.pagesperso-orange.fr/en/autos/commer_camionnette-matchbox.htm |website=Gibitrains |access-date=14 December 2022}}</ref> More heavy-duty versions of the BF range were also offered with the same engine as the [[Commer#Commer_Superpoise|Superpoise]] trucks.

Due to the relation between Commer and [[Karrier]] at the time, a [[rebadged]] version of the BF was also built and sold by [[Karrier]] with somewhat more economical engines compared to its original counterpart.
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=== Commer Walk-Thru ===
[[File:Van Gend en Loos busje - Openluchtmuseum, Arnhem.jpg|thumb|Commer Walk-Thru van as used by the Dutch company [[Van Gend & Loos]]]]
The Commer Walk-Thru was introduced in 1961 as a replacement for the Commer BF.<ref name=Farmer>{{citation | first = Gavin | last = Farmer | title = Great Ideas in Motion, A History of Chrysler in Australia | date = 2010 | pages = 330–332}}</ref> The Walk-Thru was offered in {{frac|1|1|2}}-ton, 2-ton and 3-ton van and cab-chassis variants with a choice of diesel or petrol engines.<ref name=Farmer/> This van was also built in Spain by [[Santana Motors]], beginning in 1964.
Todd Motors in Petone, New Zealand, made a short run of these vehicles during 1970, however they were not a successful model. The body sides were flat steel, pop riveted to the steel sides.{{cn|date=October 2019}} The Walk-Thru was later modernized and sold under the [[Dodge]] brand (parent company Renault / Chrysler) until the late 1970s when it was replaced by the [[Dodge 50 Series|50 Series]] of commercial vehicles.
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=== Commer FC/PA/PB/Spacevan ===
{{main|Commer FC}}
[[File:Dodge detector van.JPG|thumb|right|Dodge-badged SpaceVan equipped as [[TV detector van]]. Displayed at [[Science Museum, London]]. ({{as of|January 2015}})]]
The Commer FC was introduced in 1960 with many body styles, including a {{convert|1500|cc|abbr=on}} van. After engine and interior upgrades it was renamed the PB in 1967 and the ''SpaceVan'' in 1974. As noted above, it would be sold as a [[Dodge]] and [[Fargo (truck)|Fargo]] model until 1976, when both Commer and Fargo names were dropped. These were rounded-front forward-control vans with narrow front track—a legacy of their [[Humber Limited|Humber]] car-derived suspension. Utilising at first the [[Hillman]]-derived {{cvt|1500|cc|abbr=on}} 4-cylinder engine in the PA series, then the larger {{convert|1600|cc|abbr=on}}, and from 1968 onwards the {{convert|1725|cc|abbr=on}} unit in the PB, only the cast-iron-head version of this engine were used. A Perkins 4108 diesel was also available.

Reportedly, one condition of the government bailout of Chrysler's British operations in 1976 was a commitment to upgrade the Spacevan, which was praised for its brakes, cornering, and price, but criticized for its power, comforts, and top speed.<ref name="allpar"/> A revised Spacevan was thus introduced in 1977, using the same mechanicals but with numerous cosmetic changes, conveniences, and a new interior. Although outdated by its demise in 1982, by which time Commer had been taken over by Peugeot, the Spacevan remained a familiar sight in the UK thanks to its role with [[Post Office Telecommunications]]—which was almost solely responsible for it remaining in production for so long.  These vans and outstanding orders were inherited by [[British Telecom]] on its formation in October 1981. By this time, there were three engines: two 1.7-litre [[petrol engine]]s of 37&nbsp;kW (with low compression) and 42&nbsp;kW (with high compression), and a small [[diesel engine]] (31&nbsp;kW), with a four-speed manual transmission and no automatic available. The last Spacevan was built in 1983.<ref >{{cite web
  | title = Dodge Spacevan / Telecom Van (Commer PA and PB vans, Dodge K-series)
  | work = allpar.com
  | publisher = Allpar, LLC
  | url = http://www.allpar.com/squads/spacevan.html
  | access-date = 2 April 2008
}}</ref>