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Ice cream van variant of E83W.
An exciting example of rare E83W, currently under restoration
A big thanks to Steve who sent me in the photos below in April '05, showing a rare ice cream van that a friend of his is currently restoring. Once done it'll be a real bobby dazzler indeed!
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E83W Ice cream van
What a great find! this shot looks like it was taken at the place the E83W was found in, tucked behind a high wall to keep prying eyes away. Appearances would suggest that this groovy E83W has stood outside for quite some time, judging by how much of the once-bright paintwork has faded away. The original operator's livery, that of A. Massa, is however still visible. Does anyone recall this little van in use years ago?
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E83W Ice cream van photo 2
I think this photograph was taken showing the E83W after it had been recovered from its long-term parking space behind the wall (above). There is obviously plenty of work to be done, the rust at the foot of the passenger door and wing is testament to that! Chances are, this 10cwt was supplied as a chassis/cab when new, and taken straight to a coachbuilder who would then build this stylish bodywork on to the back of the existing Ford front end panelwork. Unusually this one has ring pull bonnet catches, a fitment most usually found on 5cwt Fordsons, not on the 10cwt range.
A similar Thames Ice Cream van appeared on ebay last year, here is a photo of it:
Apart from a slightly different approach to the side trims and serving window shape, it looks very similar to the discovery shown above.
The ice cream van shown above, registration JLR 660, I found in a recently published book on Wall's Ice Cream vehicles, part of the Famous Fleets series of books about nostalgic transport. Thanks to Alan Earnshaw for ok'ing its use here. The picture here shows Ken Reynolds with his father outside their shop in Grays, Essex. The Fordson, and the Bedford CA alongside, had no freezers fitted, so several trips back to base would be made each day to re-stock.
Read more about ice cream vans on page 2 of this special feature...
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