Directly after the Second World War, most light commercial vehicles were
derived from passenger cars, usually small and with very limited
carrying capacity. The most typical of these was the Morris Eight van,
which would struggle to cope with the weight of more than five hundred
potatoes or to reach 50 mph. By comparison, the Ford Transit of 1965
would carry three times that amount, drove like a car and could maintain
speeds of 70 mph with ease. In British Vans & Pick ups 1945-1965 the
manufacturers - large and small - are dealt with in A-Z order: Austin,
Bedford, Bond, Commer, Douglas, Ford, Jowett, Morris, Morrison, Reliant,
Standard, Triumph and Trojan. The author gives a brief history of each
and then provides detailed coverage of the various models produced,
using the original manufacturers' publicity material for the
illustrations not only to identify the vehicles but also to give the
flavor of the times when they were to be seen going about their
business.