Luton Van

[Ian]

Does anybody know where the term 'Luton Van' came from? Has it any thing to do with Bedford Commercials, or the town of Luton?

Ian

[G6 UXU]

Evening Ian, I had a Luton van years ago and I wondered then where the name originates from so I am glad you have asked this question, I will bet one of the lads knows the answer, all the best.

[G-CPTN]

Wiki states:-
A Luton body is a style of commercial vehicle body incorporating an enclosed box body extended over the cab. It takes its name from the town of Luton, in Bedfordshire, where the Bedford commercial vehicle plant was located.

[Ian]

So that is ticked off, or as they say Sorted

Thank you G-CPTN

Ian

[G-CPTN]

Here is a photo of an early (1933) 'Luton' body:- http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/85/Bedford_WLG_Two-Ton_%281933%29_reg_AYT_640.jpg

Vauxhall/Bedford made their own bodies for trucks until the 1960s . . .

[Ian]

Thanks once again

Ian

[Western SMT]

As G-CPTN mentioned it is connected with Luton.

Luton also used to be the centre of the UK hat trade and a high volume van was developed to carry them, which had an extension over the cab (Luton head) so any van with this type of bodywork was termed a Luton van.