Commercial Cars Limited was the name of a new company set up in 1906 in
south London to build a motor lorry, using what was then known as the
Linley gearbox, which had degree of pre-selection in its use. The design
was successful enough to require a relocation of the company to Luton
and larger premises. Commer Car was the chosen name for the vehicle, and
a range of lorries and buses were developed at Luton. Over the following
decades, Commer produced a wide range of vehicles including lorries,
buses, trolleybuses and light vans. The name passed hands on a number of
occasions and enjoyed a long and successful period as part of the Rootes
group, eventually being dropped in favour of the Dodge name in the
1970s. To the truck enthusiast, the history of Commer has always been of
great interest, with the Linley gearbox, the development of the
two-stroke engine and the machinations of ownership being a constant
cause of fascination over the years. This lavishly illustrated volume
explores this history with a wealth of rare and unpublished images.