29 replies to this topic

[FAZ]

[mab01uk]

Police Minivan below was recently restored by my brother and featured in the May issue of Miniworld.....the South Wales Police history only came to light when applying to DVLA for details of the previous owners.....and then the various holes found in the roof and dash areas matched up.
PolicecarUK only know of one other surviving Police Minivan which was also featured in Miniworld a while back.

 

 

Police Car UK is the leading organisation in the preservation and restoration of classic Police vehicles in the United Kingdom:-

https://policecaruk.co.uk/

 

Edited by mab01uk, 08 November 2023 - 08:21 PM.

[classicminidriver]

I just got an old aa badge for the mini grill.

 

Me too, arrived yesterday, made in 1963, unrestored, in very good condition! As it was in such good condition for the norm, I had to pay lightly more than the going rate, but worth it. The seller even told me the paint code to use if I ever wanted to restore the AA yellow paint :)

Edited by classicminidriver, 01 May 2014 - 07:56 PM.

[Hrimfaxi]

My Dad had a green one which he used as his plumbing van.  Wishes he still kept it! 

[classicminidriver]

I found this out about the AA badges from Wikipedia:

 

"From 1901 until 1967 the AA distributed vehicle badges. These were to be returned upon the ceasing of the insurance contract, however, many were never returned. Recently, many of these badges have become collectors items, and have been known to sell for more than £200"

[Old Bob]

I well remember the original motor cycle and sidecar outfits.  The point of the patrolman saluting while parked beside the road was to advise you that all was clear.  If he failed to salute you were expect to stop and ask why, when he would quietly tell you the that police were operating a speed check further up the road.......

 

Doubtless these days that would be considered illegal.

 

Bob

[mingy]

Police Minivan below was recently restored by my brother and featured in the May issue of Miniworld.....the South Wales Police history only came to light when applying to DVLA for details of the previous owners.....and then the various holes found in the roof and dash areas matched up.
PolicecarUK only know of one other surviving Police Minivan which was also featured in Miniworld a while back.
http://www.policecaruk.com/

Got a lift home in one of those in 1972, just because our local bobby was my dad,s mate and he wanted a brew. A few curtains were twitching i can tell you especially when my dad,s mate got me by the collar and frog marched me to our back door just for a laugh.

[surfblue]

Is it just me or does that look like" sandglow" rather than the usual AA yellow?, or is it not a genuine AA van?

[classicminidriver]

 

Is it just me or does that look like" sandglow" rather than the usual AA yellow?, or is it not a genuine AA van?

 

 

 

It might just be the light, but I don't know

[surfblue]

 

 

Is it just me or does that look like" sandglow" rather than the usual AA yellow?, or is it not a genuine AA van?

 

 

 

It might just be the light, but I don't know

 

It's a very late mini van too, X reg 1981, one of the last. Were the AA still using minis as late as that?

[mab01uk]

Is it just me or does that look like" sandglow" rather than the usual AA yellow?, or is it not a genuine AA van?

 

 

It might just be the light, but I don't know

 

It's a very late mini van too, X reg 1981, one of the last. Were the AA still using minis as late as that?

 

 

No I don't think AA or RAC were using Minivans by 1980's and by 1968 they were using the later square type AA logo and badges as seen below.

 

Edited by mab01uk, 02 May 2014 - 11:22 PM.

[mab01uk]

My late fathers collection of AA Members Handbooks with Minivans on cover:

 

 

 

 

 

[Daviewonder]

I hadn't thought of these in a while-
 


Can you image if they were about now days, they'd be smashed up by vandals and the maps and extinguishers would be nicked.

[surfblue63]

Up until 2002 there were also AA roadside phone boxes and members were given a key to open the earlier ones which also had maps and a fire extingusher inside.

 

I have one of those keys somewhere. It came with my Mini Ritz, which came with a years AA Relay membership. It was handy having the AA Relay as after only 4 months the nearside rear wheel bearing collapsed.

 

I found this out about the AA badges from Wikipedia:

 

"From 1901 until 1967 the AA distributed vehicle badges. These were to be returned upon the ceasing of the insurance contract, however, many were never returned. Recently, many of these badges have become collectors items, and have been known to sell for more than £200"

 

In 1968 the new badges were introduced, hence why I have one on my '68 Traveller.

 

 

 

I remember the Dinky Toy AA and RAC vans and have some in my collection.

 

 

And here's the 1963 AA Handbook, before the vans were put on the cover.

 

[classicminidriver]

 

Up until 2002 there were also AA roadside phone boxes and members were given a key to open the earlier ones which also had maps and a fire extingusher inside.

 

I have one of those keys somewhere. It came with my Mini Ritz, which came with a years AA Relay membership. It was handy having the AA Relay as after only 4 months the nearside rear wheel bearing collapsed.

 

I found this out about the AA badges from Wikipedia:

 

"From 1901 until 1967 the AA distributed vehicle badges. These were to be returned upon the ceasing of the insurance contract, however, many were never returned. Recently, many of these badges have become collectors items, and have been known to sell for more than £200"

 

In 1968 the new badges were introduced, hence why I have one on my '68 Traveller.

 

 

 

I remember the Dinky Toy AA and RAC vans and have some in my collection.

 

 

And here's the 1963 AA Handbook, before the vans were put on the cover.

 

 

 

Wow that handbook is in good nick!