Description
1919 Thornycroft J-Type Drop-side Lorry
Registration No. ED-1617
Chassis No. J-7860
Engine No. M4/ 6313
• Kept by its original commercial owner until 1979
• Present ownership since November 2019
• Restored between 2019 and 2023
• All-new coachwork
• Over 700 miles covered since the rebuild
This wonderful 'commercial' officially left Thornycroft's Basingstoke works on 21st November 1919 having been assigned chassis number '7860'. However, there is good reason to believe that the chassis and running gear predates this; indeed, this may well be one of the numerous WW1 'subsidy vehicles' repurchased by the manufacturer and overhauled before being assigned a new chassis number and sold on: evidence being the presence of the pre-1916-type engine and gearbox, and military specification chassis hooks on the chassis. The vehicle was delivered to dealer J Melbourne of Warrington, Cheshire who sold it to Joseph Brierley & Sons, metal merchants and hauliers of Beatrice Street, Warrington. Relatives of the Brierley family have been traced and re-introduced to their families old lorry, giving the vehicle a living history connection. The lorry was registered 'ED-1617' on 29th January 1921 in accordance with the new Roads Act and remained with Brierley's until 1979, latterly in derelict condition.
I purchased the vehicle in November 2019 and commenced a thorough rebuild, stripping it to a bare chassis before restoring it to 1919 guise as operated by Brierley's. This involved a complete new ash-framed cab with traditional canvas roof and all new upholstery. An entirely new drop-side rear body was also constructed, from Oak and Douglas fir. A new, correct-style, five-piece tapered riveted bonnet, and new riveted and soldered fuel tank were also manufactured, all made working very closely from original factory photographs and measurements taken from other vehicles that had retained original components. The Thornycroft is finished throughout with traditional hand-applied paintwork in Brierley's livery, including traditional sign-writing and 24-carat gold leaf. Mechanical work has included a differential and gearbox overhaul, and the engine has received a full strip down and inspection. A more detailed description on the lorry's rebuild can be found in a 6 page article in the July edition of 'Old Glory' magazine.
Since the restoration's completion the lorry has been used extensively - driven to every event attended - including a road trip to Gournay-en-Bray, France, via the Newhaven ferry and the successful completion of the 2024 HCVS London-to-Brighton run, including being driven to and from the event, where it won multiple awards at the finish line on Madeira Drive. The vehicle has been discretely fitted with LED lighting both front and rear in order to make it useable in modern day traffic. Front lights are hidden in the original acetylene lamps, and rear amber flashers and red tail lights are mounted on fold-away brackets under the rear body, meaning exterior appearance can look as original when required at events, but allowing easy operation when required for road use. The lorry has since won a further restoration award from the National Transport Trust, being presented personally by HRH Princess Anne.
A very rare opportunity to purchase a solid-tyred vehicle, and even rarer opportunity to purchase one in recently restored condition.
