• Year of manufacture 
    1965
  • Mileage 
    96 000 mi / 154 498 km
  • Car type 
    Other
  • Chassis number 
    BC51EM13665
  • Engine number 
    400EB620384
  • Lot number 
    467
  • Drive 
    RHD
  • Condition 
    Used
  • Number of seats 
    2
  • Location
    United Kingdom
  • Exterior colour 
    Other
  • Gearbox 
    Manual
  • Drivetrain 
    2wd
  • Fuel type 
    Petrol

Description

Late production 15cwt Thames fitted with the Zephyr 4 engine and 4-speed boxLovingly restored by an ex-Ford employee and described as running and driving very well with very little use sinceDelightfully finished in classic Lotus Cars colours from the sixtiesPurchased by our vendor to be aperiod-correcttow truckfor his 1960 Lotus 19 Monte CarloPure nostalgia but nevertheless an excellent support vehicle for historic motorsportThis delightful example ofsmall-commercial restoration depicts one of the medium-capacity Thames vans deployed by the emergent Lotus company to carry car kits, engines, gearbox, axles etc during the 1960s. Lotus had used two types of Thames van, one powered by the Ford Zephyr 4 engineintended to deliver Lotus Elan and Elite kits to customers by towed-trailer while the alternative, for racing team use, was equipped with a 2-litre Ford Zephyr 6-cylinder engine necessary to tow at sustained high-speed on European motorways, and to punch the vehicle and its load "over the Alps".This handsome little Ford Thames Light Van (400E) was purchased and restored by a former Ford employee and it is clear to see that this ground-up restoration became something of a labour of love. Our vendor, at the time, owned the Lotus 19 Monte Carlo Chassis 953 you will see on offer on Friday the 22nd in the competition car sale. The opportunity arose to purchase this lovely British Racing Greenvan and once acquired, heimmediately added period signwriting (Lotus Cars Cheshunt, Hertfordshire) in Lotus Yellow with the intention of using the van as aperiod-correct, tow vehicle for his Sixties racingcar.Our vendor informs us that the opportunity to roll-up at an event with the full period rig didnt present itself and the little van has only really been used at a few shows and events. With light use only, thisis a greatopportunity to purchase a lovingly restored, Lotus-signwritten, 1960s Van thatwould certainly evoke many memories and spark conversation at any classic motor show you wish to attend.


Silverstone Auctions Ltd
The Forge
Harwoods House, Banbury Road
Ashorne
Warwickshire
CV35 0AA
United Kingdom
Contact Person Kontaktperson
Title 
Mr
First name 
Rob
Last name 
Hubbard

Phone 
+44-01926691141