GPO Vehicles

This van started life in 1960 as the Commer 1500 FC.  It had a 1500cc engine.

Commer Series One vans had two, later three, chrome strips between the headlamps and a red Commer badge above that along with a grille for the heater and fresh air inlet.

The Series Two arrived in 1961, a single year after the Series One. The engine grew to 1.6 litres and the grille was changed to improve cooling capacity. A simple mesh grille was fitted behind the chrome strips.

The Series Two A arrived in mid-1963, with the name Commer picked out in letters rather than being in a badge. It also had a new grille, placed just above the bumper, made of three chrome strips. The number plate moved up the front panel to go between the headlamps.  The range was extended in September 1965 and the engine was upgraded to the newly announced 1.7 litre Rootes unit, producing 58 bhp.  The new model had a lozenge shaped grille which improved air flow for the larger engines, and had proper indicator lamps below the sidelamps. The range was renamed the PA 1500/2500 series.

In August 1967, the range was renamed the PB series. Not much else changed apart from the handbrake working on the front wheels and an alternator being used.

1974 saw the van name change to the Spacevan and new rear lights fitted.  The 1750cc engine became the standard.  The makers name was changed in 1976 from Commer to Dodge.

In 1977 the vehicle had updated seat trim, front radiator grill and a new dashboard.  February 17th 1983 saw the last Spacevan come off the production line.

General description and facilities
This vehicle is a commercial forward control van fitted with side windows, interior lighting and tip-up seating in the body.  Two seats are provided in the vehicle cab to accommodate one passenger and a driver and, additional seats, arranged longitudinally in the vehicle body, provide accommodation for a further ten passengers.  Access to the vehicle body is provided by double rear doors and a single near-side door.  The vehicle is provided on a supernumerary basis and, because of its expense, it should not be used or requisitioned unless there is a clear economic advantage in doing so, e.g. it could be used with advantage on projects at outstations where, once the heavy engineering vehicles are on site, the daily transportation of personnel in a single vehicle to and from the outstation would be more economical than the use of separate vehicles.  The tip-up seats enable the vehicle to be used as a light stores carrier, when it is not being used to its full seating capacity.  The combined load of personnel and stores must not exceed 18 cwt.  The stores should be securely stowed with no sharp projections, and not impede the movement of passengers entering or leaving the vehicle.

Taken from - P.O. ENGINEERING INSTRUCTIONS, TOOLS & TRANSPORT, VEHICLES, N 3073 (Issue 1, 12.3.68)