MORRIS COWLEY, RED AND CREAM, THE WORLDS OLDEST ICE-CREAM VAN

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

Product Description

The vehicle has an interesting history in that the body is older than the car (the term ‘car'. is used deliberately as opposed to ‘chassis'. as will become clear)

In 1924 Arthur Hunter had the original body coach built in Halifax for use on an air-cooled Rover 8. This was built as you see it today. excepting that the side and rear were completely open. and the roof being supported at the 4 corners by polls rising from the waistline.

The Rover was soon found to be underpowered and in 1926 Arthur purchased a Singer Saloon. and transferred the body to that. This served faithfully until 1936. when it was replaced with a 6 year old Morris Cowley Continental Tourer. with a two seater dicky body. The Tourer body was removed and the wooden Ice Cream float body was transplanted to the Cowly chassis.

Apart from the 1939 to 1945 World War II years. the vehicle was earning its living for Arthur. When his son Bill returned home from the war he set his son on doing daily rounds of villages in Castleford. Pontefract. and the area of Tadcaster. Yorkshire.

Shortly after the War. new hygiene regulations were introduced. and it was at this time the body was enclosed to how you see it now. Finally in 1964 after more that 40 years service. this Morris Cowley was retired to an old stone Barn overlooking Fairburn Ings.  

The next owner Peter Dawes. used to live in one of those Yorkshire villages as a child. and as a 5 year old was one of Mr. Hunter's most enthusiastic customers. In 1988 he decided to try to trace the vintage ice cream float of his childhood memories. and in this he was successful and purchased it from Bill Hunter in June of that year.

Having stood in a derelict barn for 24 years the vehicle was in a very poor state. although. surprisingly. the original 1924 wooden body had suffered no rot at all.  

During the 1990's a total chassis up restoration was taken place by Peter. assisted by enthusiasts and specialists. It was a sympathetic restoration with all original parts being repaired. rather than taking the easy option; replacing old with new.

From the mid 1990's. it was brought over to Tenerife where it was part of a large vintage car enthusiast collection. where it remained up until three years ago. when it was brought back to England and placed into storage by the current owner. Amazingly it still only has three owners from new. and all those years in Tenerife. made sure that car was. never exposed to damp/wet conditions. which is evident in its current condition as it is still very solid.   

Since this vehicle is 83 years old. the condition is somewhat degraded. The car is in great condition. requiring next to no real welding. Obviously all of the real woodwork and paint requires refreshing. but does look very original as is. Another point to add is that the engine does function correctly with a crankshaft start. For it's age this vehicle is in good condition. We believe this to be the oldest surviving motorized ice-cream van in the world. if you know otherwise please let us know.   

A replica of this particular car was built in the 90's and is believed to be in use. but this is the original. This offers an excellent business opportunity for somebody in the ice-cream business. for use at weddings or even hiring out. The opportunities are endless and as far as promotions or corporate events. image the world's oldest ice-cream van pitched in central London; the tourists would go MAD! 

This comes without any ice-cream machines. and is sold as is. This also has a massive file of history that dates back to the 1930's. which are all documented in a files that comes with the auction. This files contains: All bills of work carried out (that amount to thousands of pounds). various pictures taken throughout its lifetime. and also comes with its original  “The Morris Cowley Car Manual”. which is very rare and is in PRESTINE condition.

 An ordinary Morris Cowley without this history. are selling today in the region of £8. 00 to £15. 00 in average conditions.

I think this item speaks for itself. something like this you may never see again.

 

This vehicle is for sale at: £17. 00

Contact Us

If you have any questions about the product. please feel free to contact us via a direct message to our Ebay store. Alternativly you can contact us via 07956512294 or 07843860055.           

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