Offering a huge variety of benefits including practicality and manoeuvrability, the J-Type appealed to a wide range of customers around the world – from Canada to Columbia and Ireland to Indonesia. In this article, we take a closer look at popular conversions and uses for the Morris J-Type and what made these businesses so attracted to the iconic British van.
Bakery Delivery Van
With its tight turning circle, compact exterior dimensions and spacious load area, the Morris J-Type was a popular choice for bakeries to deliver their produce. Australian bakeries Boon’s Bread and W. Cripps both placed large orders in the 1950s
Mobile Advertising
Thanks to its unique shape and stunning aesthetics. The original J-Type never failed to grab the attention of onlookers. These eye-catching visuals made it an obvious marketing choice for businesses, so many companies painted their vans in their own unique livery. This is why very few of today’s surviving J-Types will look the same as another.
Media Production
The original J-Type is no stranger to being centre stage. Even today, the original J-Type has made appearances across a range of TV programmes, video adverts and films including Doctor Who, Cadburys, GoDaddy and the Great British Bake off, to name just a few.
Food and Drink Trucks
In the early fifties, many food and drinks companies around the world found the J-Type to be the perfect solution to satisfy the needs of the industry. Even today there are many companies still using the J-Type.
Retail Advertisement and Delivery Van
Thanks to its impressive load volume to footprint ratio, the original J-Type the perfect delivery van for many businesses. Being such a popular choice, the J-Type ended up forming the backbone of many companies we are familiar with today.
Tradesmen and Property Professionals
With bright, eye-catching colours, a tight turning circle, and impressive handling, the J-Type became the “go-to” run around for tradesmen and property professionals.
Ambulance
Although small by modern day standards for an ambulance, the J-Type was used by many hospitals in the fifties and sixties such as this one from the City of Leeds Ambulance Services.
Ice Cream Van
Its iconic appearance certainly catches the public’s eye which meant large numbers were converted into ice cream vans. These were a common sight long after production had finished in 1961.
Postal Delivery Van
The Morris J-Type, however, is best remembered as a postal delivery van. The tight turning circle offered great manoeuvrability in urban environments, while its large load area was able to accommodate a large amount of parcels and mail, making this a very popular sight on British high streets in the 1950s and early 1960s.
Like its forebear, the modern-day, fully-electric Morris JE presents class-leading load efficiency that offers the best of both worlds: compact enough to fit the smallest of requirements, yet large enough to accommodate up to 5.8m and carry up to 1,000kg of goods.
Available in a wide variety of body styles, the All-New Morris JE – which is due for launch in 2022 – provides excellent versatility and its universal appeal makes it the perfect solution for many businesses around the world.