Looking for a Rootes Commercial to use in connection with my business and needing more than just a car derived van, I began looking at the BF range. So far three examples have been aquired in different arrangements, with the intention of using the van in its proper role.

The Commer / Karrier BF range filled the gap between the Cob and Husky and the Bantam and Gamecock light Commercials, mostly remembered for the Mr Whippy ice cream vans. It appears that Commers were mostly completed in-house van versions with the Karriers being supplied as chassis cabs for a variety of special uses with bespoke coachwork. 

Karrier BF GPO Test Van

This vehicle we think started life with the Civil Defence as either crew bus or ambulance and put up for disposal by the goverment departments. It has evidence of both the Army green first then an RAF blue applied to it. After disposal it was purchased by a Circus act and converted into a camper, fitted out and painted in a gipsy caravan style. Retired in 1979 it has not been used since and the vehicle reflects this low mileage of 35,000 miles.

A process of paint stripping and preservation has started so a repaint can be carried out along with repairs to the steel areas that are corroded. The aluminium coachbuilt body has survived well and a broken timber roof hoop is being replaced at present followed by recommissioning for the road. After help from different quarters the original use has been established. The vehicle was part of a batch of cable balancing and testing vans used by the GPO and dates from 1957. Kitted out with a sliding door division the rear section was fitted with benches and test equipment and flaps at the rear, allowed cables to be drawn into the vehicle for test and balancing. It is thought the van is the only survivor and hope to recreate the interior after the exterior has been repainted in its correct GPO colours. Currently the rusted cab  areas are being repaired.