Van books - history and models

¡A la carga!: 80 años de furgonetas y camionetas españolas

This illustrated book presents the evolution of light commercial vehicles manufactured in Spain between 1907 and 1987. These vehicles, used to transport goods, people, or both, have varied technical configurations but share a maximum authorised mass not exceeding 3.500 kg. They can be driven with a standard car licence (Category B in Europe) and access urban areas under the same rules as passenger cars.

Three categories are described based on payload and volume:

1. Light vans: payload under 900 kg and volume up to 6.000 litres. Often derived from passenger cars, with modified rear sections, or open pick-up versions.
2. Medium vans: payload up to 1.400 kg or 9.000 litres. They may be panel vans or chassis-cab types, often with versions for mixed transport (combi simplex or duplex).
3. Heavy vans: usually rear-wheel-drive versions of medium vans with reinforced chassis, dual rear wheels, or extended suspension. Light trucks also fall into this group, adapted to stay within the light vehicle category.

The book focuses on how these vehicles and their development supported Spain's industrial growth during critical periods of economic transformation.

Product details

Author:	Juan Antonio Sosa del Cerro
Details:	276 pages, 28 x 21.5 x 1.6 cm / 11 x 8.5 x 0.63 in, paperback
Illustrations:	profusely illustrated
Publisher:	CreateSpace (USA, 2014)
ISBN:	9781500762391

British Vans & Pick Ups 1945-1965 - including camper vans

After the Second World War, most light commercial vehicles were based on small passenger cars and had limited carrying capacity. A typical example was the Morris Eight van, which could manage only about five hundredweight and struggled to reach 50 mph. In contrast, the 1965 Ford Transit could carry three times as much, drove more like a car, and reached 70 mph without difficulty.

From the early 1950s, makers began developing models designed specifically for commercial use. These larger light vehicles allowed heavier and bulkier loads and were often adapted for other purposes, especially as camper vans.

This book presents manufacturers in A-Z order, including Austin, Bedford, Bond, Commer, Douglas, Ford, Jowett, Morris, Morrison, Reliant, Standard and Trojan. Each entry offers a short history followed by detailed information on the models produced. The illustrations come from original publicity material, helping to identify each vehicle and conveying the character of the period in which they worked.

As a companion to the author's "British Lorries 1945-1965, " this volume serves as a dependable reference and an illustrated reminder of an earlier era on Britain's roads.

Product details

Author:	Rinsey Mills
Details:	184 pages, 27 x 21 x 1.3 cm / 10.6 x 8.25 x 0.51 in, hardback
Illustrations:	800 illustrations in colour
Publisher:	Herridge & Sons Ltd (GB, 2012)
ISBN:	9781906133313

Carrozzeria Coriasco

In Italy, "Coriasco" refers to all light compact trucks. The coachbuilder Carrozzeria Coriasco is best known for thousands of commercial vehicles based on the Fiat 600 and 850, but it also produced many other special bodies. These included coaches, ambulances, advertising vehicles, giardinettas, elaborata models, and even a few sports cars.

This book provides a complete history of Carrozzeria Coriasco, highlighting its achievements and innovations. It features a wide selection of photographs, many of which have never been published before, showing the variety and craftsmanship of the company's work.

Aimed at enthusiasts and historians alike, the book documents the creativity and technical skill of one of Italy's most versatile coachbuilders, offering insight into both well-known and rare vehicles.

Product details

Author:	Alessandro Sannia
Details:	108 pages, 29.5 x 21 cm / 11.6 x 8.25 in, hardback
Illustrations:	220+ b&w and colour photos
Publisher:	Il Cammello (I)
ISBN:	9788896796627

Japanese Mini Truck - An Introduction to All Things Kei Truck

The Japanese mini truck is known for its remarkable utility, ranking among the most versatile vehicles worldwide. Compact enough to fit in the bed of a full-size pickup like an F150, it is also tough and capable of tackling rough terrains with its reliable four-wheel drive system.

Given the limited English literature on this topic, the author aimed to fill the gap, especially as mini trucks are growing in popularity in the United States, following global interest.
This guide, featuring over 160 color images, highlights the unique characteristics of mini trucks, setting them apart from other vehicles. It covers the history, uses, configurations, specifications, and comparisons, along with details on various makes, parts, accessories, and conversions, including electric and amphibious models.

Written by Mark Roehrig, this book serves not only as a useful resource for individuals but also as an engaging read for families and friends. It provides insights into Kei truck production, global distribution, and important considerations for potential owners. Readers will also learn about state regulations, towing and load capacities, model differences, and key factors to consider when purchasing or registering a Kei truck.

Product details

Author:	Mark Roehrig
Details:	72 pages, 28 x 21.5 x 0.4 cm / 11 x 8.5 x 0.16 in, paperback
Illustrations:	160+ colour photos
Publisher:	Trafford Publications (USA, 2012)
ISBN:	9781466941311

The American Delivery Truck: An Illustrated History

When motor vehicles replaced horses, many people still did not own a vehicle. Rural communities depended on vendors who brought goods to local towns, and these vendors relied on delivery trucks.

In 1915, Reo introduced a new class of vehicles called "Speed Wagons, " which became the basis for faster and more reliable delivery trucks known as "Speed Trucks." Their chassis supported many special body types designed to meet the growing need for dependable service, higher speed, practical use, and a professional appearance when transporting goods.

Other makers developed their own chassis and mechanical layouts for delivery work. Body builders such as Boyertown Body produced a wide range of bodies, including vans, panel trucks, and pickup trucks. Color, paint design, and lettering played an important role in creating a strong public image.

This illustrated history presents major manufacturers that shaped the development of delivery vehicles, including Reo, Federal, Diamond T, Sterling, Divco, International, Fargo, Dodge, Chevrolet, Ford, Graham, and Stutz.

Product details

Author:	Robert Gabrick
Details:	128 pages, 28 x 21.5 x 0.6 cm / 11 x 8.5 x 0.24 in, hardback
Illustrations:	numerous b&w photos
Publisher:	Iconografix (USA, 2014)
ISBN:	9781583883112

Petits Utilitaires français, depuis 1944

With about 400.000 new light commercial vehicles sold each year, France counts more than one utility vehicle for every six vehicles.
This book, the first dedicated to this subject, presents an overview, brand by brand, of light commercial vehicles built in France over more than sixty years. It covers models from the Juvaquatre to the Berlingo, from the Estafette to the Boxer, from the 504 pick-up to the Expert, and highlights icons such as the 2 CV Fourgonnette, the Citroën HY and the Renault 4 Fourgonnette, still the most produced French light commercial vehicle.

The book also includes many small models built in very limited numbers, often unusual, which contribute to the history of French utility vehicles.
Alongside major manufacturers - Peugeot (202, 402, 203, 403, 404, 504), Renault (Juvaquatre, 4 CV, Estafette, Goélette, Colorale) and Citroën (11 U, C 6, U 23, U 55, C 15) - appear hundreds of vehicles from other makers (Simca, Chenard & Walcker) or from projects responding to fuel shortages (SOVEL, Duriez) or diversification goals (Berliet, Latil, Bernard, Delahaye).

This catalogue shows the wide variety of designs, uses and solutions that often linked passenger cars and utility vehicles.

Product details

Author:	François Allain, Dominique Pagneux
Details:	192 pages, 31 x 23.5 cm / 12.2 x 9.25 in, hardback
Illustrations:	profusely illustrated
Publisher:	ETAI (F, 2004)
ISBN:	9782726884423

Deutsche Autos - Personenwagen und Nutzfahrzeuge in der DDR

So much for just Trabant and Wartburg. Anyone who thinks that only these two cars waved their two-stroke flag in the GDR is seriously mistaken. There was certainly a lot of variety in the street scene of the workers' and farmers' state.

In the passenger car sector, for example, there were the F8, F9 and P70 models from IFA or EMW from Awtowelo, as well as cars from neighboring Eastern European countries.
For trucks, there were models such as Horch, Framo or Barkas, again supplemented by trucks from neighbors.

Michael Dünnebier and Eberhard Kittler describe all of these vehicles and even more, with their history and technology, and illustrate them with around 600 images.

Product details

Author:	Eberhard Kittler, Michael Dünnebier
Details:	320 pages, 26.5 x 23 cm / 10.4 x 9.1 in, hardback
Illustrations:	120 b&w and 436 colour photos
Publisher:	Motorbuch Verlag (D, 2017)
ISBN:	9783613040007

Deutsche Lieferwagen und Transporter - seit 1898

Delivery vehicles play an important role in supplying cities and handling transport over longer distances. Their importance is not new, and they have long been used in many ways.

This book traces the development of German delivery vehicles from the first transport wagons around 1900 and the delivery tricycles before and after the Second World War to today's flatbed and panel vans.

Wolfgang H. Gebhardt presents large- and small-series models, prototypes and small municipal vehicle manufacturers.
The volume offers an A-Z overview of all manufacturers, with more than 900 historic photographs and detailed information on brands and types.

Product details

Author:	Wolfgang H. Gebhardt
Details:	500 pages, 26.5 x 23 cm / 10.4 x 9.1 in, hardback
Illustrations:	922 photos
Publisher:	Motorbuch Verlag (D, 2021)
ISBN:	9783613044142

Samochody użytkowe RWPG

This is the first Polish publication covering commercial vehicles produced in Comecon countries, the Eastern Bloc, from after World War II until 1990.

The author explains the structure of Comecon and defines commercial vehicles. He presents the manufacturers, their production focus, and selected models of vans, trucks, and buses, including their design, operation, and technical specifications.

Vehicles are grouped by country: Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, the German Democratic Republic, Poland, Romania, Hungary, and the Soviet Union. Each manufacturer and its vehicles are introduced with background chapters on the development of the automotive industry in that country.

Product details

Author:	Zdzisław Podbielski
Details:	184 pages, 29 x 20.5 cm / 11.4 x 8.1 in, hardback
Illustrations:	profusely illustrated
Publisher:	Dom Wydawniczy Księży Młyn (PL, 2023)
ISBN:	9788377297155

Il grande libro dei motocarri italiani

During the early 1930s, a form of motor transport for goods was introduced that was derived from the motorcycle, fitted with three wheels. That's how the three-wheel van phenomenon began, an economical, practical and untiring vehicle that covered the roads of Italy from the uneasy self-government years to those of extensive economic development.
With over 700 illustrations - all of them carefully selected originals from the periods concerned - the vehicles are compared in this book manufacturer by manufacturer, year by year, telling the history of the stylistic and technical evolution of this means of transport. Over one hundred manufacturers are listed all over the Twentieth Century.

Text in Italian.

Product details

Author:	Sergio Puttini, Giuseppe Thellung
Details:	168 pages, 30 x 22 cm / 11.8 x 8.7 in, hardback
Illustrations:	700+ b&w and colour photos
Publisher:	Giorgio Nada Editore (I, 2017)
ISBN:	9788879115827