British Telecom Vehicles

British TELECOM Vehicles

From May 1980 onwards the 'British Telecom' logo was progressively applied to the yellow vans and superseded, 'Post Office Telecommunications'. In those early days, the extended 'dot-dash' featured as an important part of the logo, as can be seen in the photo opposite.

The slogan "Who have you forgotten to phone today?" was a typical van advert of the period.

Photo: British Telecom Bedford jointers' van CVF 583T © David Cott.

British Telecom - The New Identity

Extract from Telecom Today June 1980

"The future face of British Telecom was unveiled in London last month. Out goes the red tramline lettering, and in is an eye-catching blue logo and distinctive T symbol. The logo was selected by Post Office chairman Sir William Barlow, Mr Benton, POEU general secretary Mr Bryan Stanley, who represented the Council of Post Office Unions, and Lord Reilly, former director of the Design Council."

"The introduction of the new look would be spread over several years in line with normal replacement, said Mr Benton. The cost would be negligible. British Telecom has a fleet of 50,000 vehicles ranging from the familiar Bedford van to heavy articulated lorries. By the end of this year at least 8,000 new vehicles will be carrying the new livery. Others will be given their new look as they become due for routine repainting."

The Yellow (British Telecom) Fleet

The yellow vans were so colourful and photograph so well, compared with the very bland grey ones which were to follow in later years...

Red lettering had been associated with 'The Post Office' and thus British Telecom adopted blue for its signage.

Ford Transit
	The British Telecom Ford Transit was supplied in many variants... Photo: Ford Transit F105 KJN © David Cott.
	The Roadphone was a (1983) publicity vehicle for the soon to be privatised (in 1984) British Telecom. Photo: Ford Transit Roadphone NYP 115Y © LSA April 2014.
Ford Iveco
	Ford Iveco Jointers' Van Photo: Ford Iveco Jointers' Van E389 HHJ © David Cott.
Bedford
	"Who have you forgotten to phone today?" Photo: British Telecom Bedford Jointers' Van CVF 583T © David Cott.
	British Telecom van in Golden Yellow livery, visiting Milton Keynes Museum. Photo: Bedford HA Van GHM 578 W © LSA April 2014.
	Small Bedford Van. Photo: British Telecom Bedford Van UFL 163X © David Cott.
	Rommel's raiders was the nickname given to these Bedford jointers' vans of the 1980s, which had the characteristically wide curved wings and bonnet. Photo: British Telecom Bedford Jointers' Van MFT 891P © David Cott.
Dodge
	Dodge truck with custom built utility body. Photo: British Telecom Dodge Van B147 MRP © David Cott.
Leyland
	The Leyland Boxer, for joint box building duties. Photo: Leyland Boxer BAR 11T © David Cott.
Sherpa Box Van
	The Sherpa box van used a lift-off body. The motive unit is badged 'Freight Rover'. Photo: British Telecom Sherpa Box Van B865 DVX © David Cott.
The Dodge Spacevan ...final development of the COMMER van, which had served so well throughout the 1970s.
	In fully restored condition, Martin Maltas' KUU 612 X sporting full British Telecom 'dot-dash' decals. Photo: British Telecom Dodge Spacevan KUU 612X © Martin Maltas.
	The Dodge Spacevan was a development of the COMMER van. Photo: British Telecom Dodge Spacevan FFG 288V © British Telecom.
	High-top Dodge Spacevan, GHM 575W was allocated to NORTH WEST, LONDON telephone area. It had serial 80 325 5336, was based at Colindale and carried code WE711 on a white square. This batch had non-consecutive chassis numbers as they were converted into high-roofs by three different bodybuilders (Locomotors, Papworth and Coachwork Conversions) Photo: British Telecom Dodge Spacevan GHM 575W © Martin Maltas.
	V reg Aug 1979 high top Dodge Spacevan. Photo: British Telecom Dodge Spacevan NPB 378V © British Telecom.
Business Systems
	From about 1985, Business Systems, a division within British Telecom, had its own branding of vans (Nightwatch Blue) with yellow lettering. Some vans retained the 'dot-dash' telecom lettering. Photo: Business Systems Ford Fiesta (Popular) G881 HOA © David Cott.

Design, images and text compiled by © Light-Straw. Page last updated 15 May 2021.
With thanks to David Cott, Martin Maltas and British Telephones.

All logos and trade marks are the property of their respective owners 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.