Commer Truck Books - History and Models

The Commer Story

"The Commer Story" traces the development of one of Britain's leading commercial vehicle manufacturers. This book goes beyond the history of a single brand and tells the wider story of a company that changed names several times, merged with other firms, and was part of major industrial groups, while producing innovative commercial vehicles over nearly ninety years of continuous production.

Focusing on the people behind the company as well as its vehicles, the book presents a clear and well-documented account of Commer's industrial and technical achievements. Carefully researched and richly illustrated, "The Commer Story" offers a long-overdue tribute to this important manufacturer and is an essential reference for commercial vehicle enthusiasts.

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The Rootes Group : Humber, Hillman, Sunbeam, Singer, Commer, Karrier

The Rootes Group once dominated the British motor industry, and its legacy lives on in many well-maintained cars, especially Hillmans, Humbers, Singers, and Sunbeams.

This book, featuring images from the Rootes Archive Centre, by Richard Loveys, details the Group's history and key car models. It covers the Group's beginnings as a car dealership by William and Reginald Rootes, its transition to motor manufacturing, and its expansion through acquisitions and development of car and commercial vehicle ranges.

The Rootes Group significantly contributed to the war effort from 1939 to 1945, producing many military aircraft and vehicles. In its post-war peak, it produced iconic models like the Sunbeam Alpine and Hillman Imp.

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Commer Vehicles

Commercial Cars Limited was the name of a new company set up in 1906 in south London to build a motor lorry, using what was then known as the Linley gearbox, which had degree of pre-selection in its use.
The design was successful enough to require a relocation of the company to Luton and larger premises. Commer Car was the chosen name for the vehicle, and a range of lorries and buses were developed at Luton.

Over the following decades, Commer produced a wide range of vehicles including lorries, buses, trolleybuses and light vans. The name passed hands on a number of occasions and enjoyed a long and successful period as part of the Rootes group, eventually being dropped in favour of the Dodge name in the 1970s.

To the truck enthusiast, the history of Commer has always been of great interest, with the Linley gearbox, the development of the two-stroke engine and the machinations of ownership being a constant cause of fascination over the years.
This lavishly illustrated volume explores this history with a wealth of rare and unpublished images.

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Rootes Commercials (Nostalgia Road)

Rootes commercial vehicles, including Commer and Karrier, were among the most innovative British truck manufacturers of the 1940s and 1950s.
Though often seen as traditional and cautious, Rootes introduced notable innovations, such as the QX underfloor engine in 1948. This was followed by the TS3, a two-stroke opposed-piston diesel engine, which remained more powerful, efficient, and fuel-saving than many conventional four-stroke diesels for years after its release.

In the late 1950s, Rootes launched the Walk-Thru van, adapting an American-style urban delivery vehicle for British conditions. However, despite these innovations, the company struggled in the 1960s to compete with Leyland, Ford, and Bedford. By 1976, when the Commer name was discontinued, fewer than 10.000 Dunstable-built trucks had been sold.

Still, Commer and Karrier had strengths, including a dedicated workforce, a modern factory in Dunstable, a long-established plant in Luton dating back to 1906, and strong brand loyalty. These elements make Rootes commercial vehicles an important part of Britain's post-war truck industry.
This book provides a comprehensive history of this iconic manufacturer, from early design breakthroughs to its decline, illustrated with numerous period photographs.

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