GPO Van Colours

[MaltaMM]

Can anyone please give me a rough idea on the different colours of the GPO Minor vans. To my knowledge GPO vans were painted in red, darkish green or yellow. I believe that the red ones were mail vans whilst the green and yellow ones were GPO engineer vans? Please excuse my ignorance but since I am not local I don't have a clear idea of the colours and what they meant.

My 1967 Morris Minor with Maltese pick up box (which was originally a GPO engineers van) has traces of both darkish green and yellow. It was originally darkish green when new but I have also found traces of yellow on the exterior panels but not in the engine bay. Were the green vans later changed to yellow when still in service with the GPO? My van was first registered with the GPO in early 1968 and I believe remained in service till 1976 when it was bought for exportation to Malta as was the very common practice then.

[santadawes]

Hi there. If you look on the main index page under the "Ex-Goverment Reg" you can send your request to Russ Harvey.

[rayofleamington]

I was going to recommend Russ (and/or one of his books... available from the MMOC)

[mike.perry]

The colours used were Postal Services Red, BMC Code CMC/1038. ICI Code 8032
Telephone Engineers Vans, Post Office Mid Bronze Green. ICI Code 0099
Repainted Telecom Yellow. BMC Code FMA/1011, ICI Code JP89
The Green vans were rather difficult to see when parked in country lanes, especially before flashing beacons were used

[beero]

I worked for GPO when it became Post Office Telephones (early 70's) and a lot of the green vans got painted yellow, rather badly, at the local PO garages. Visiblity and safety were quoted as the reason but I think it was to stop us engineers hiding away down country lanes!

[1098]

I've got some red flags,stamped GPO. Found them in the back of a Green Telephone van. They're on a short pole.
I've been told engineers would stick them in a hedge on bends etc to warn approaching traffic of possible (before flashing beacons) hazards. I also found a bag full of corks with a slit in the middle of each one. I found them puzzling, but have since been told engineers fitted the corks on overhead (hence the split ) telephone lines close to Pigeon fanciers lofts, so the birds wouldn't fly into the lines All velly interlesting.

[MarkyB]

I'm quite interested in the colours vans got painted before they were auctioned off to the public.
My old one was blue and I suspect they got at least a 50 gallon drum of it to blow over all the pensioned of vans for sale to the poor unsuspecting public.
Not possible to show 100,000 miles, goes back to "low Mileage" shortly afterwards .

Have you noticed how many Police cars are silver these days?
Who wants to buy a white car?

[mike.perry]

When I bought my green driving instructor's van (1969), they were sold off in their original colours, just the signs removed or painted over

[RussLCV]

Hi All

See below for all paint codes part of the BS range

Paints
All paints use are of the BS381c range

Royal Mail Red used on mail vans up to 1968/9 BS 538
Royal Mail Red used on mail vans up from 1968/9 BS 539
Telephone Mid Bronze Green up to 1968 BS 223
Telephone Golden Yellow from 1968 BS 356
Light Buff used on the inside all GPO up 1969 BS 358

Any problems let m eknow

H

[mike.perry]

Russ,
How does that tie in with the codes I listed? Are my codes wrong?

[RussLCV]

hi Mike
I would suggest perhaps you quoted manufacturer paint codes?

All GPO/PO minors were painted using British Standard colours. For example 'mid bronze green' was also used on Home Office Minor vans and on Military travellers.

Mike would like to more about your engineers DI van perhaps you can e mail me
H

[MaltaMM]

Thanks for all your replies. Things are clearer now!