Identifying a Royal Mail Minor

[Boxofbits]

Hi all

I have just purchased a '71 Minor Van, and was told by the owner that it is possibly ex Royal Mail.

Though the van is listed as Red in the old log book, the colour is very patchy and indistinct due to weathering, with a lot of primer underneath showing through. However, inside the rear doors the red is brighter and fresher.

But on further inspection there is no sign of the extra security features of a true RM model, and no sign of Yale locks etc or locking bar on the rear doors. So my question is, is there a dead cert way to identify if it is RM by any other modifications or numbers which might be present.

My gut feeling is that it was red but not RM, but maybe I am wrong. Also if it was a factory red and not RM, is there a paint code on the body anywhere which might tell me the exact colour?

Thanks for any help.

Kevin

[mike.perry]

A few things to look for:-
Jacking brackets on the lower suspension arms
Brackets on the rear ends of the chassis
Rear door hooks
Spring loaded washer position on the wiper/elec washer switch
Advertising board clips on side of van

[irmscher]

Chris Pommreg would help

[POMMReg]

A few things to look for:-
Jacking brackets on the lower suspension arms
Brackets on the rear ends of the chassis
Rear door hooks
Spring loaded washer position on the wiper/elec washer switch
Advertising board clips on side of van

Also front n/s body interior upper horizontal strut, spot welded plate on RM, bkt welded to roof (partition)

No courtesy light, black dash, hole(s) on n/s dash for tax disc......loads of things

12/67-12/71 cab code Z37923-4, whether built or regd in '71(?). 284001-285700 (red vin plates),285701 on BL blue. Cab number 44601-49999 with locking bar, the last production RM WITH locking bar was 308520 - cab number 50331on - thereafter with steering locks blah blah...

327369 was made out of parts, had a post 308520 cab, with pre 308521 body...doesn't REALLY count as a production change point.

Pm the chassis,cab or registration number please.

[Boxofbits]

Hi all and thanks for your replies

Thanks Chris for your detailed info. My van does have a courtesy light, so unless this has been retro fitted I guess it rules it out as a RM van, but I will check further.

It does state colour as Red in the log book, but does anyone know which colours were available in 1971 for the commercial minor?

Cheers Kevin

[POMMReg]

Flame red.

If you would pm its details to me anyway, add to database.

Could be a postal engineers' van - check for metal squares welded into the vertical body struts. 8 symmetrical holes in the body roof if normal PE.

[mike.perry]

Third letter of chassis code 1958-71 should be G signifying GPO postal van

[POMMReg]

Third letter of chassis code 1958-71 should be G signifying GPO postal van

GPO vans didn't adopt the "M" vin prefix until 12/67, 223801on - vin plate on n/s cab dr card - although rf60's still remained with "OHC1" until 8/68.

[mike.perry]

Third letter of chassis code 1958-71 should be G signifying GPO postal van

The van we are told is 1971 therefore the above should apply otherwise code is V for van
Just checked and my 1963 GPO van had OJE prefix

[POMMReg]

Third letter of chassis code 1958-71 should be G signifying GPO postal van

The van we are told is 1971 therefore the above should apply otherwise code is V for van
Just checked and my 1963 GPO van had OJE prefix

M•AE5/M•AG5 prefix commenced at 225801/223801 (12/67), not 1958....(b)36501

[mike.perry]

If boxofbits would tell us the chassis number all will be revealed