Geograph - photograph every grid square

This 1956 Morris Minor 803cc, 50cubic feet mailvan registration SLM 176 is one of a batch of 880 Morris Minor vans, all registered to the Royal Mail Head Office in London. On March 31st 1956 it started its working life being allocated to Scunthorpe Post Office on the 9th April 1956 carrying the serial number 53498.It was used by the Head Postmaster for six months before being transferred to the Head Post Office at Newcastle upon Tyne. Most of its working life was spent delivering mail in the Newbiggin area of Northumberland until it was withdrawn from service in June 1964. It was sold by the GPO on the 7th July 1964 to a butcher in Newbiggin who used it to deliver meat in the Newcastle upon Tyne area until the 31st May 1967. The van then spent a period of time in a scrapyard and then in a broken down shed at a smallholding near York until February 2000 when the present owners purchased it. Although in a sorry state at the time it has since been lovingly restored to its original livery.

It is seen here amongst other classic cars gathered on Hyde Civic Square for the Heritage Open Weekend.

Rear view: SJ9494 : Mail Van SLM176.