What is a Van (Compact)- 'A Once Upon a Time Story'

What is a Van.?

When I stop at a junction to a major road and watch, in particular, for Vans (Compacts) passing by, in these modern times.they are mostly of a similar and familiar profile. Vans ; RV's ;Special vehicles et al

There was pause in the traffic flow.and like many past stories,we will start with a "Once Upon a Time", something like the mid sixties. 

As I recall, it was the  Dorchester Hotel, London England and the top Chrysler Corporation executives had gathered to discuss the Marketing  Strategies and advertising Worldwide of  Vans or Compacts as the Americans called them.

I was with my American Strategies boss and we listened to the discussions of various makers and their  vehicles pros and con's as advertised. A very mixed bag, that's for sure. Obviously very frustrated, the CEO Mr John Ricardo, said something like "We are getting, no where".

My boss, stood up and said  ---- " I have a man who would like to address the meeting ---No warning of what he was going to do. Hell, I'm dead, I thought. OK said the big boss (CEO) come up here ------I stood looking at the audience, just like I did many  years  before as a Head Boy at school, when the Headmaster required me the read the lessons  at assembly, Ah, my first captive audience,I never looked back.

As I recall at 89, I said , "WHAT IS A VAN",What does the World want, as a base specification.- Forward control or semi forward. What motors and transmissions. The position of the wheels and axles and most importantly, the shape of the body and wheel bases.

OK young man, we get the message.--tomorrow we need to establish a 'World Survey' by the best market research company, to report in six months!. A copy of that first report, I have somewhere. The report that changed the VAN World forever.

I must at this point ,remind readers,that my blogs are 'Stories Based on Facts as I Remember Them'. At 89 I am open to corrections, well maybe!!!.

Those executives, of course, went on to other matters, when my boss and I and others had left the room.

So, what where those executives really talking about - the vehicles I mean

USA. A good forward control vehicle, competing manly in a Ute market

British Motor Corporation (BMC). Mainly the J4, which did very well as an ambulance vehicle, particularly later when converted front forward control to semi. Still operating!!.

Toyota. Hi Ace, a very popular  forward control vehicle, up until quite recently. The original version was based on the above vehicle the BMC J4. complete with the J4 chassis problems, which they quickly corrected.  I recall driving one of he first ones, and reported with two words "OH Dear"!.

 Citroen. The 'dust bin?, yes but it had a lot of the parameters that was to come.

Mercedes Benz, IVECO and others were yet to arrive

Back to the Future---

Returning to that major road junction , we see that now familiar shape, lots of sizes, of course, many with Air conditioning ;Sat-Nav as standard;plus all modern blue, telephone links etc.

The first rather crudely, the BMC J4, so popular as an ambulance. Along came Renualt; Citroen; Mercedes Benz; VW; IVECO; fineley Toyota got the message and strangely enough, Chrysler.

Right now the Chinese have joined in the frey, electronics good. Suspension,and body finish, snd Lighting, needing a lot of attention.

These new Vans are most popular as RV's with every conceavable gajet .

Ambulances, particularly Mercedes around the World. In Australia they insist on 60psi tyre pressures, which I object to - The ride can be terrible, I know I have been in the things. I believe 50psi is enough.

Wunderfully the World now has a superb VAN design strategy, for the future. All stemming from that Chrysler Executive meeting so long agoe. "Unce Upon a Time".

My thoughts for the future is to go Electric, particularly,short distance delivery vehicles. As the load gets lighter,so it is easier on the batteries, like the very old milk trucks in the UK.

 All the best, to the new generation of designers,and developement engineers et al.

 Malcolm E Mason

 X@malcolnemason       Masonedgar@gmail.com