Post Office Telephones
Morris J2 Utility
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A 1965 Morris J2
DLL 870C U110772
Post Office Telephones -Telephone Manager -West Area -London
"There is plenty of load space as it has no bins. And the
side doors offer good access."
Photo © Pete Newman.
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EXIT | J2 Utilities |
GPO Types |
197 ELP | Links |
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The Morris J2
The Morris J2 15 cwt. van was launched in 1956 and production continued,
with various design revisions, until 1967. More than 120,000 were
produced. In 1962 the original 1489cc BMC B-Series engine was upgraded
to a 1622cc engine with a floor change gearbox. A diesel version was
also available.
The vehicles were first used by Post Office Telephones from about 1960.
Between 1964 and 1967 the J2 was a common sight on the streets as the
demand for telephone service reached a peak.
The BMC 250 JU
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The Morris 15cwt. 250 JU photographed
in 1969. This model is the BMC badged version.
Photo © Post Office Telephones
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The 250 JU was produced by the British Motor Corporation (BMC)
between 1967-1970. The vehicle retained the basic body styling of the
J2, but the front end was updated. Of note are the oblong direction
indicators and redesigned grill.
The Austin Morris 250 JU
Further revisions were included in the Austin Morris version of the
250JU between 1970 -1974.
The GPO Types
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A 1963 15 cwt. Stores Carrying Vehicle
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"To improve the convenience and safety of apparatus delivery
work under conditions of traffic congestion, double side
doors are fitted in addition to a single wide rear door.
Both side doors can be secured flat against the near-side of
the body so as to minimise any obstruction of the pavement.
The rear door is equipped with a door stay which can he used
when the vehicle is stationary to secure the door in its
fully open position."
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Photos © Post Office Telephones |
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197 ELP
Post Office Telephones
In the Sixties, the Morris J2 was typically assigned to a
geographical work area and was commonly seen with the white
lettering POST OFFICE TELEPHONES, TELEPHONE MANAGER (AREA). |
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In the days when the Post Office was still a Government
Department, telephone vehicles were painted Mid Bronze
Green with white lettering.
This particular example is:
P.O. ENGINEERING DEPT.
2-12 GRESHAM STREET
LONDON EC 2
Morris J 2 Utility 15cwt
registration 197 ELP
Photo courtesy of the Post Office Vehicle Club © 1998-2015
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Links
For more photos and information about GPO vehicles
see Bob's Telephone Files which can be found at
British
Telephones.
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Design, images and text compiled by ©
Light-Straw. Page last updated June
2015 revision.
Checked May 2021.
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and are used on the Light Straw site(s) for review only. Students and
researchers are recommended to make their own independent enquiries as
to the accuracy of the information contained therein. |