View source for Commer

{{Short description|British van, lorry and bus manufacturer}}
{{about|the vehicle manufacturer|the French commune|Commer, Mayenne|the German musician and researcher|Franz Commer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Commer
| logo =
| image = Commer FC van Bj ca 1968 photo 2008.JPG
| image_caption = [[Commer FC]] van, c. 1968
| fate = purchased 1967 by [[Chrysler UK]]
| type = [[Subsidiary]]
| industry = [[automotive industry|Automotive]]
| predecessor =
| successor = [[Chrysler UK]]
| foundation = 1905
| defunct = {{end date and age|1979}}
| location = [[Luton]], England
| key_people =
| products = [[Commercial vehicle|Commercial]] and [[military vehicle|military]] vehicles
| num_employees = <!--peak number of employees-->
| parent = {{plainlist|
* [[Rootes Group]] (1931–67)
* [[Chrysler Europe|Chrysler UK]] (1967–78)
* [[Peugeot]] (1978–79)
* [[Renault Trucks]] (1979–present)
}}
| subsid = [[Karrier]]
| brands = 
}}
'''Commer''' was a British manufacturer of [[commercial vehicle|commercial]] and [[military vehicle|military]] vehicles from 1905 until 1979. Commer vehicles included car-derived vans, light vans, medium to heavy commercial trucks, and buses. The company also designed and built some of its own [[diesel engine]]s for its heavy commercial vehicles.

== History ==
[[File:Commer bus reg EO 634.jpg|thumb|Front of a 1909 Commer bus]]
This business belonged to Commercial Cars Limited, a company incorporated in September 1905 by directors [[Harry Charles Bailee Underdown|H C B Underdown]],<ref group=note>
In 1905, Underdown formed a small syndicate to try out and determine the commercial value of the Lindley automatic change speed gearbox. A four-ton motor lorry using the gearbox was made in a South London workshop and its success led the syndicate into giving birth to Commercial Cars Limited.

[[File:Commer in New York 1910 (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|Commer lorry, New York 1910<br>leading a parade of 400 Oldsmobile cars]]
In October 1917, Underdown was appointed Director of Agricultural Machinery at The [[Ministry of Munitions]] and the following biographical notes were published:
:Landowner, of 4,000 acres in Norfolk, a Governor of the [[Royal Agricultural Society of England|Royal Agricultural Society]], chairman of the commercial vehicle committee of [[Agricultural Engineers Association|ABRAM]], chairman of the general vehicle committee of the [[SMMT]], Director of:
:Direct United States Cable Co
:The Trinidad Oilfields
:[[Sheffield-Simplex|The Sheffield-Simplex Motor Works]]
* page 3, The Commercial Motor, 25 October 1917
</ref> barrister and director of [[Direct United States Cable Co]] with [[Horace Hutchinson|H G Hutchinson]] a director of [[Royal Exchange Assurance Corporation|Royal Exchange Assurance]]<ref>New Companies registered, p 1194, ''The Automotor Journal'' 23 September 1905</ref> to manufacture: commercial cars, omnibuses, [[charabanc]]s, fire engines and every kind of industrial vehicle.  In 1920, it was described as the first company to specialise in the manufacture of internal combustion industrial commercial vehicles.<ref>Commercial Cars Limited Prospectus ''The Times'', Tuesday, Jul 27, 1920; pg. 22; Issue 42473</ref> In order to go into volume production a site was bought in September 1905 at Biscot Road, [[Biscot]], [[Luton]].<ref>page 5, "Luton News and Bedfordshire Chronicle" – Thursday 19 October 1905</ref> Construction of extensive new workshops began on the five-acre site which was mostly complete by late 1906. Commercial Cars became a member of the [[Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders]] in August 1906.<ref>page 9, ''Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser'' – Wednesday 15 August 1906</ref> It was one of the first  manufacturers of commercial vehicles in the United Kingdom, its speciality being the ''Commer Car''.<ref>Commercial Cars, Ltd. ''The Times'', Saturday, Oct 09, 1926; pg. 9; Issue 44398</ref>

At Olympia's Commercial Motor Show in March 1907, Commer exhibited a motor-bus chassis with a 30–36 horsepower engine and a gearbox invented by Mr Linley, the works manager.<ref group=note>The new change speed gear(box) invented by Mr Lindley has its spur wheels in constant mesh and separate gears are engaged by a series of dog clutches. It is impossible to damage the gears when changing their ratios. A change is preselected and engaged by "disengaging the drive for an instant"</ref> Dog-clutches made the change rather than the spur wheels which remained in constant mesh. As well as the bus chassis Commer displayed a char-a-banc for thirty passengers and delivery vans being run by a substantial enterprise.<ref>page 5, ''Luton Times and Advertiser'' – Friday 15 March 1907</ref>

A new "large and powerful" lorry, E43, registration BM 787, took part in the Great Commercial Motor Trials in September 1907. It also had a constant mesh gearbox (Comer (sic) slogan—'dogs which bite with a click'). Unladen weight was (3.7 tonnes) 3 tons 13 cwt, the engine had four-cylinders, its output was 33 horsepower at 800&nbsp;rpm. It had four forward speeds and was driven by side chains. Length 20 feet (6 metres), width just over (2.1 metres) seven feet and height (1.76 metres) two inches under six feet. The platform was (3.6 metres) twelve feet long. The newspaper noted that a ''Commercars'' "chassis" was transporting passengers at Widnes.<ref>page 5, ''Luton Times and Advertiser'' – Friday 13 September 1907</ref>

Production of the first truck, the 3-ton ''RC'' type started in 1907. This was later modernized into the ''SC'' and so on through the ''YC'' range, which was also known as the "Barnet" series of trucks.<ref name="olyslager">{{cite book | ref = sbcv | title = A Source Book of Commercial Vehicles | publisher = Olyslager Organisation, Ward Lock Limited | location = London | date = 1972 | last = Miller | first = Denis N. | editor-first = Bart H. | editor-last = Vanderveen | isbn = 0-7063-1286-4 | page = 34 }}</ref> Their first<!--complete?--> bus was made in 1909. With the outbreak of the First World War the factory turned to the manufacture of military vehicles for the British Army, and by 1919 more than 3000 had been made.

Though obliged to undergo financial restructure in 1920 in the hope of avoiding creditors, the business was unable to avoid repayment of a debt of £75,000 due to the Treasury, raised in order to pay 60 per cent Excess Profits Duty on wartime activities. Eventually, after agreeing terms with the Receiver in 1925, Commer was bought in 1926 by [[Humber Limited|Humber]].<ref>Humber, Limited. ''The Times'', Thursday,  Dec 03, 1925; pg. 22; Issue 44135</ref> In 1931 Humber became a 60-percent-owned [[subsidiary]] of the [[Rootes Group]].

The Commer name was replaced by the [[Dodge]] name during the 1970s, following the takeover of Rootes by [[Chrysler Europe]]. After [[Peugeot]] purchased Chrysler Europe in 1978, the Commer factory was run in partnership with the truck division of [[Renault]], [[Renault Trucks]]. For some time, it continued to produce the Dodge commercial truck range with Renault badges, and there was a small amount of product development. Eventually, Dodge production was cancelled in favour of mainstream Renault models, and there was a switch to the production of Renault truck and bus engines in the early 1990s.

Many Commer vans and lorries are notable for being fitted with the Rootes [[Commer TS3|TS3]] [[internal combustion engine|engine]], a [[two-stroke engine|two-stroke]] diesel three-cylinder horizontally opposed piston engine, which came to be known as the "Commer Knocker" owing to the distinct noise it produced.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.commer.org.nz/TheProducts/motors/TS3Background/TS3Background.html |title=The TS3 |access-date=4 April 2015 |quote=The engine was a direct injection, high speed diesel engine with three horizontal cylinders, each containing two pistons. Each cylinder had specially designed ports to control the inlet of air and outlet of the exhaust which are controlled by the pistons. The pistons controlling the inlet ports are known as the air pistons (left-hand side of the engine), and the pistons controlling the exhaust ports are the exhaust pistons. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113132420/http://commer.org.nz/TheProducts/motors/TS3Background/TS3Background.html |archive-date=13 January 2015 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Newer Commer vehicles had [[Perkins Engines|Perkins]] and [[Cummins]] diesel engines, and, less commonly, [[Mercedes-Benz|Mercedes]] diesel engines.<ref name="allpar">{{cite web|title=Dodge Spacevan / Telecom Van (Fargo F-series, Dodge K-series, Commer PA and PB vans) |url=http://www.allpar.com/squads/spacevan.html|work=Allpar|publisher=Allpar LLC|access-date=18 August 2010}}</ref>
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== Trucks ==
{{Expand section|date=November 2008}}
=== Commer N- and LN-series ===
[[File:Jour d'la Libéthâtion Jèrri 9 d'Mai 2010 53.jpg|thumb|Commer N1]]
The N-series was introduced in 1935, and was also used by the British armed forces in World War II. Production was halted in 1939 and was not recommenced after the war.<ref name=rootescat>{{cite web | url = http://www.rootesarchive.org/catalogue/ | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170701214155/http://www.rootesarchive.org/catalogue/ | archive-date = 2017-07-01 | title = Catalogue | publisher = The Rootes Archive Centre Trust | location = Banbury, UK }}</ref> Cab-over and bonneted trucks were both available, fitted with petrol or diesel engines.<ref name="olyslager2">[[#sbcv|Miller]], p. 64</ref> The six-cylinder petrol engine was available in {{cvt|3181|cc|abbr=on}} or {{cvt|4086|cc|abbr=on}} versions. The [[Perkins Engines|Perkins]] Leopard diesel engine was also available.

The range included N as well as the lighter-duty LN range of trucks (numbered N1 through N6 depending on their approximate weight capacities in [[Long ton|tons]]), as well as the PN-series of buses, commonly fitted with diesels. There was also the 4/5 ton PLNF5 introduced in 1938.<ref name=rootescat/> The LN was officially capable of carrying weights similar to those of the corresponding N-series trucks, but had a lower overall max weight and was "definitely not intended to carry an overload" – a tacit recognition of British truckers' habitual overloading of their trucks.<ref name=2337CM>{{cite journal | url = http://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/23rd-april-1937/42/new-4-5-ton-model-addef#voKzeUyEXuih52mQ.99 | journal = Commercial Motor | page = 358 (42) | date = 23 April 1937 | title = New 4-5-Ton Model Added | number = 1675 | volume = LXV | editor-last = MacKenzie Junner | editor-first = G. | publisher = Temple Press Limited }}</ref> The LN-range was also designed to operate effectively within the 1930s [[Road speed limits in the United Kingdom#Early years|30&nbsp;mph speed limit]] for heavier lorries. After the introduction of the 4/5-ton LN5, the {{frac|5|1|2}}-ton ({{convert|5.5|long ton|kg|abbr=on|disp=output only}}) N5 was discontinued. However, the market decreed otherwise and the N5's revival was announced in February 1938.<ref name="olyslager3">[[#sbcv|Miller]], p. 66</ref>

=== Commer Superpoise ===
{{refimprove|section|date=February 2023}}
[[File:Commer Superpoise (1955).JPG|thumb|Commer Superpoise of 1955]]
[[File:Commer Superpoise B (15810219125).jpg|thumb|Commer Superpoise of 1957]]
The Commer Superpoise range (Q-series) was introduced in 1939, with both semi-forward and full-forward control options.<ref name=roadtransporthall>[http://www.roadtransporthall.com/yesterdays-workhorses/47-yesterdays-workhorses/yesterdays-workhorses/1256-commer Commer, www.roadtransporthall.com] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160226132327/http://www.roadtransporthall.com/yesterdays-workhorses/47-yesterdays-workhorses/yesterdays-workhorses/1256-commer |date=26 February 2016 }} Retrieved 11 September 2015</ref> These newer models were more streamlined and modern in appearance and adopted an American [[International K and KB series|International]]-like front end. The line included trucks of {{frac|1|1|2}} to six tons capacity powered by 6-cylinder petrol or diesel engines.<ref name=roadtransporthall/> A new Superpoise range (QX-series, although QX had also been used on some earlier Superpoises) with payloads of between two and five tons was introduced in 1955.<ref name=roadtransporthall/> 

The truck proved fairly popular but did not provide fierce competition for products by more known brands such as [[Leyland Trucks|Leyland]] and [[Bedford Vehicles|Bedford]]. Production ended in 1961.

Even though Commer was not purchased by Chrysler until 1967, the British Dodge 200 series (the successor to the [[Dodge 100 "Kew"]] trucks) which came out in 1958, had its cab styled by a company called Airflow Streamlines of [[Northampton]] after Chrysler contracted them. Airflow Streamlines was coincidentally the same company that styled the 1955 Superpoise, leading to both vehicles using almost the same cab design and having many parts interchangeable.<ref>{{cite web |title=Dodge, Cyprus. |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/sumpbung/21180111112 |publisher=SteveJeffsson |access-date=25 February 2023 |quote=Thanks to Anthony for finding this info on the Dodge, it is a 200 series with an Airflow cab made in Northampton, first produced in 1958 it shared the same cab design as the Commer Superpoise B series.}}</ref> For export markets, the 200 series was sold as a [[Fargo Trucks|Fargo]] or [[DeSoto (automobile)|DeSoto]].

The Dodge would go on until 1963, before being modernized as the "Dodge 400 series", receiving the cab of the American [[Dodge D series]] medium-duty truck and a new range of engines by [[Perkins Engines|Perkins]] and [[Leyland Motors]]. This model was mostly produced for export but was also available to the [[United Kingdom]]. The model was not successful on its home market and production there would end by 1965. Due to the Dodge 400 series being almost identical to the original American truck, telling the 2 apart is almost impossible.<ref>{{cite web |title=1964 Dodge/Fargo Kew 400-Series (Int'l) p1 |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/ifhp97/6196745869/in/album-72157624582885269/ |website=Flickr |access-date=18 October 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=CORGI’S MYSTERIOUS DODGE |url=https://www.maronline.org.uk/corgis-mysterious-dodge/ |website=Maronline |access-date=18 October 2023}}</ref>

Dodge would re-use the method of mating an American truck with a European chassis on the [[Dodge 50 Series|Dodge 50 series]] of 1979, effectively using the [[Dodge Ram van|Dodge B series]] van cab and a British designed medium-duty truck platform.

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== Buses ==
{{Expand section|date=November 2008}}
[[File:Don Everall Tours VJW 882.JPG|thumb|A Commer TS3-engined bus at the [[Isle of Wight Bus & Coach Museum]]'s 2008 running day]]
Commer produced buses and is recorded as delivering four to [[Widnes]] in 1909.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.holmes.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/commer_details.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060524171846/http://www.holmes.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/commer_details.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2006-05-24 |title="Commer" Commercial Cars Ltd Luton |access-date=2008-11-05 |quote=These four vehicles took 4 days to be delivered from Luton to Widnes in 1909. There was no motorways, roads were in general very poor and at a height of 16ft 6ins "still very high for a vehicle nowadays" quite a few tree branches had to be cut down to get to Widnes. }}</ref> The Commando was released after the Second World War, and the Avenger on 28 February 1948, fitted with the TS3 engine from 1954.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.commer.org.nz/Commer_Connections/Avenger_Bus.html |title=Avenger Bus |access-date=2008-11-05 |quote=While not as common as other bus chassis, many excellent bodies were mounted on Avenger chassis, including Duple, Harrington and others. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014115834/http://www.commer.org.nz/Commer_Connections/Avenger_Bus.html |archive-date=14 October 2008 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The Commando was used as a Crew Bus by the Royal Air Force following the Second World War with a 1 1/2 Length Observation deck.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://mycoolcamper.com/buses/crew-bus-1947-commer-commando/|title=www.mycoolcamper.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927075335/http://mycoolcamper.com/buses/crew-bus-1947-commer-commando/|archive-date=27 September 2016|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
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== Light commercial vehicles ==

=== Commer 8 cwt ===

[[File: Commer 8 cwt (1934-1939).jpg |thumb| Commer 8 cwt (1934-1939).]]

The Commer 8 cwt <ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.doria.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/87072/fd2011-pp00003601-pdf001.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y |title= Commer 8 cwt |date=1935-01-01|publisher= Commer (1935) |access-date=2025-05-30}}</ref> was a light commercial vehicle produced by Commer during the 1930s, competing in the 8 long cwt (410 kg) van range. It had a four-cylinder engine with 1185 cc. The bore was 63 mm and the stroke was 95 mm. The maximum power was 33 hp at 4100 rpm.
The tank had a capacity of 33 liters. The wheelbase was 2340 mm.

=== Commer Light Pick-up ===
[[File:Commer utility.jpg|thumb|Commer Light Pick-up]]
The Commer Light Pick-Up was a [[pickup truck]] based on the [[Hillman Minx]] saloon and produced by Commer during the 1950s;<ref name=CommerUte>{{cite magazine | first = Robert | last = Penn Bradly | title = The Commer Ute | magazine = Restored Cars | number = 160 | pages = 38–42 }}</ref> a similar Hillman-badged model was also produced.<ref>[http://www.sa.hillman.org.au/ID_UteMkVIII.htm Mark VIII Light Pick-up (utility)] Retrieved from www.sa.hillman.org.au on 22 August 2012</ref> The Mark III was powered by a {{convert|1184|cc|abbr=on}} [[Multi-cylinder engine#Four-cylinder engines|four-cylinder engine]], the Mark VI by a {{convert|1265|cc|abbr=on}} unit and the Mark VIII by a {{convert|1390|cc|abbr=on}} engine.<ref name=CommerUte/> Production ended in about 1958.<ref name=CommerUte/>

Australian production circa 1950 included a [[coupé utility]] variant with an additional side window.<ref>[http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/commer.htm A rare utility/pickup truck based on Hillman/Commer mechanicals, www.oldclassiccar.co.uk] Retrieved 11 September 2015</ref>
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=== Commer Express Delivery Van ===
[[File:Commer Express Delivery Van (15899072350).jpg|thumb|Commer Express Delivery Van]]
The Commer Express Delivery Van was a light commercial vehicle produced by Commer during the 1950s, competing in the {{convert|8|-|10|long cwt|kg|abbr=on}} van range.<ref name=oldclassiccar>[http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/express-delivery.htm The Commer Express Delivery van] Retrieved from www.oldclassiccar.co.uk on 22 August 2012</ref> It was based on the [[Hillman Minx#Minx Mark I to VIII (1945–57)|Hillman Minx]] saloon and evolved in parallel with that model,<ref name=oldclassiccar /> with designations ranging from Mark III to Mark VIIIB.<ref>[http://www.sa.hillman.org.au/Lib01.htm Club Library Parts Catalogu es] Retrieved from www.sa.hillman.org.au on 22 August 2012</ref> The 1957 model, which featured a load space of {{convert|100|cuft|abbr=on}} and a payload of approximately 9 cwt, was powered by a {{cvt|1390|cc|abbr=on}} four-cylinder Hillman engine and was fitted with a four-speed column-change gearbox.<ref name= oldclassiccar/> It had coil-sprung [[Independent suspension|independent front suspension]] and [[drum brakes]] all round with twin-leading-shoe units at the front.<ref name=Weir>{{cite magazine|last=Weir|first=Leslie|title=Shetland Classics|magazine=Classic Van and pick-up|page=7|publisher=Kelsy Publications|date=November 2016}}</ref>

It was replaced by the [[Commer FC]] vans.<ref>{{cite web |last=Carr|first=Robert|title=Auction Site Classic: 1980 Dodge Spacevan – Can 27,000 Telephone Engineers be Wrong? |url=https://www.curbsideclassic.com/uncategorized/auction-site-classic-1980-dodge-spacevan-can-27000-telephone-engineers-be-wrong/ |website=Curbside Classic|date=12 March 2015|access-date=4 October 2021}}</ref>
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=== Commer Cob ===
[[File:1961 Commer Cob (9207683336).jpg|thumb|1961 Commer Cob]]
The Commer Cob is a 7 cwt delivery van introduced in early 1956 based on the [[Hillman Husky]],<ref>[http://www.classiccarcatalogue.com/HILLMAN%201956.html HILLMAN 1956] Retrieved on 12 August 2012</ref> itself a derivative of the Hillman Minx Mark VIII.<ref name=simonscars_Cob>[http://www.simoncars.co.uk/commer/cob.html Commer Cob] Retrieved from www.simoncars.co.uk on 12 August 2012</ref> Although similar to the ''Express'' it was shorter overall with a smaller payload area and a more rounded design.<ref name=Weir/> In 1958 new Cob and Husky models were introduced, based on the "[[Hillman Minx#Audax design Hillman Minx (Series I to Series VI, 1956–67)|Audax]]" Hillman Minx.<ref name=simonscars_Cob/>
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=== Commer Imp Van ===
{{Main|Hillman Imp}}
[[File:1969 Hillman Imp Van 900cc Front.jpg|thumb|1969 Hillman Imp Van 875cc]]
The Commer Imp Van was introduced in September 1965<ref name=imps4ever>[http://www.imps4ever.info/family/van.html Commer Imp Van] Retrieved on 12 August 2012</ref> and was based on the [[Hillman Imp]] saloon.<ref name=rootes-chrysler>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070204050054/http://www.rootes-chrysler.co.uk/car-development/dev-imp.html The range expands; status quo maintained] Retrieved on 12 August 2012</ref> It was renamed as the Hillman Imp Van in October 1968, with total production reaching 18,194 units prior to it being phased out in July 1970.<ref name=imps4ever/> The last generation of the [[Hillman Husky]] estate car, which was introduced in July 1967,<ref name=rootes-chrysler/> was based on the Imp Van and used the same sheetmetal ahead of the B-pillar.<ref name=simonscars>{{cite web|url=http://www.simoncars.co.uk/hillman/imp.html|website=simoncars.co.uk|title= Hillman Imp, Super Imp, Husky and Californian|access-date=12 August 2012}}</ref>

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=== Commer BF ===
[[File:Ambulance Coventry Transport Museum.jpg|thumb|Commer BF based ambulance]]
The Commer BF was a light/medium duty [[van]] produced by Commer from 1957, with a design similar to that of the present [[Multi-stop truck|step-van]]. Many examples of these vans were coach-built as [[Ice cream van|ice cream vans]] and [[Ambulance|ambulances]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://whippy.com.au/ |title=Trevor Thornton |access-date=2010-07-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110217233821/http://www.whippy.com.au/ |archive-date=17 February 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> A number of [[chassis cab]] versions were also produced but most of these went for export to countries such as [[Hong Kong]], where they were converted as [[Pickup truck|pickup trucks]] and [[Box truck|box trucks]] with local bodywork and some other modifications. It had a {{convert|1.5|LT|abbr=off|comma=off}} payload and relatively powerful engines for its size and time. Production ended in 1966 after Commer had launched the newer [[Commer#Commer_Walk-Thru|Walk-Thru]] in 1961, leading to the BF being offered as a cheaper alternative to what eventually became its successor.<ref>{{cite web |title=Commer BF van by Matchbox |url=https://gibitrains.pagesperso-orange.fr/en/autos/commer_camionnette-matchbox.htm |website=Gibitrains |access-date=14 December 2022}}</ref> More heavy-duty versions of the BF range were also offered with the same engine as the [[Commer#Commer_Superpoise|Superpoise]] trucks.

Due to the relation between Commer and [[Karrier]] at the time, a [[rebadged]] version of the BF was also built and sold by [[Karrier]] with somewhat more economical engines compared to its original counterpart.
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=== Commer Walk-Thru ===
[[File:Van Gend en Loos busje - Openluchtmuseum, Arnhem.jpg|thumb|Commer Walk-Thru van as used by the Dutch company [[Van Gend & Loos]]]]
The Commer Walk-Thru was introduced in 1961 as a replacement for the Commer BF.<ref name=Farmer>{{citation | first = Gavin | last = Farmer | title = Great Ideas in Motion, A History of Chrysler in Australia | date = 2010 | pages = 330–332}}</ref> The Walk-Thru was offered in {{frac|1|1|2}}-ton, 2-ton and 3-ton van and cab-chassis variants with a choice of diesel or petrol engines.<ref name=Farmer/> This van was also built in Spain by [[Santana Motors]], beginning in 1964.
Todd Motors in Petone, New Zealand, made a short run of these vehicles during 1970, however they were not a successful model. The body sides were flat steel, pop riveted to the steel sides.{{cn|date=October 2019}} The Walk-Thru was later modernized and sold under the [[Dodge]] brand (parent company Renault / Chrysler) until the late 1970s when it was replaced by the [[Dodge 50 Series|50 Series]] of commercial vehicles.
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=== Commer FC/PA/PB/Spacevan ===
{{main|Commer FC}}
[[File:Dodge detector van.JPG|thumb|right|Dodge-badged SpaceVan equipped as [[TV detector van]]. Displayed at [[Science Museum, London]]. ({{as of|January 2015}})]]
The Commer FC was introduced in 1960 with many body styles, including a {{convert|1500|cc|abbr=on}} van. After engine and interior upgrades it was renamed the PB in 1967 and the ''SpaceVan'' in 1974. As noted above, it would be sold as a [[Dodge]] and [[Fargo (truck)|Fargo]] model until 1976, when both Commer and Fargo names were dropped. These were rounded-front forward-control vans with narrow front track—a legacy of their [[Humber Limited|Humber]] car-derived suspension. Utilising at first the [[Hillman]]-derived {{cvt|1500|cc|abbr=on}} 4-cylinder engine in the PA series, then the larger {{convert|1600|cc|abbr=on}}, and from 1968 onwards the {{convert|1725|cc|abbr=on}} unit in the PB, only the cast-iron-head version of this engine were used. A Perkins 4108 diesel was also available.

Reportedly, one condition of the government bailout of Chrysler's British operations in 1976 was a commitment to upgrade the Spacevan, which was praised for its brakes, cornering, and price, but criticized for its power, comforts, and top speed.<ref name="allpar"/> A revised Spacevan was thus introduced in 1977, using the same mechanicals but with numerous cosmetic changes, conveniences, and a new interior. Although outdated by its demise in 1982, by which time Commer had been taken over by Peugeot, the Spacevan remained a familiar sight in the UK thanks to its role with [[Post Office Telecommunications]]—which was almost solely responsible for it remaining in production for so long.  These vans and outstanding orders were inherited by [[British Telecom]] on its formation in October 1981. By this time, there were three engines: two 1.7-litre [[petrol engine]]s of 37&nbsp;kW (with low compression) and 42&nbsp;kW (with high compression), and a small [[diesel engine]] (31&nbsp;kW), with a four-speed manual transmission and no automatic available. The last Spacevan was built in 1983.<ref >{{cite web
  | title = Dodge Spacevan / Telecom Van (Commer PA and PB vans, Dodge K-series)
  | work = allpar.com
  | publisher = Allpar, LLC
  | url = http://www.allpar.com/squads/spacevan.html
  | access-date = 2 April 2008
}}</ref>

== Military vehicles ==
{{Expand section|date=November 2008}}
[[File:Royal Air Force Operations in the Middle East and North Africa, 1939-1943 CM2230.jpg|thumb|Commer Q2]]
[[File:Commer Q4 3308119051.jpg|thumb|right|Commer Q4]]
Commer made a range of military vehicles for use during the Second World War, with the range still in use in the 1980s. While serving in the army, British humourist [[Frank Muir]] reported a broken-down vehicle over his radio with the words "The Commer has come to a full stop."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rememuseum.org.uk/vehicles/mwv/vehcomq4.htm |title=Truck 3 ton 4 x 4 GS Commer Q4 |publisher=[[REME Museum of Technology]] |access-date=2008-11-05 |quote=Among the longest living of the Commer workshop trucks was the Telecommunications Repair variant, some being used into the late 1980s or later. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011053401/http://www.rememuseum.org.uk/vehicles/mwv/vehcomq4.htm |archive-date=11 October 2008 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
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== Engines ==
Commer designed and manufactured its own diesel engines for its heavy commercial vehicles and buses.  They were low-profile units designed to be deployed under the floor of the cab.

=== TS3 ===
{{main|Commer TS3}}
[[File:Commer 1954 tractor unit.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Commer 1954 tractor unit]]
The TS3 engine was a two-stroke diesel unit with three cylinders each containing a pair of pistons arranged with the combustion chamber formed between the crown of the piston pair and the cylinder walls. It was designed specifically for the Commer range of trucks.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.commer.org.nz/Commer_Connections/Other.html |title=The TS3 |access-date=2008-11-05 |quote=The TS3 was initially designed by Rootes Power Units Chief Engineer Eric W Coy (and under him, designers Bennett and Mileluski) at the Humber plant (Stoke-Aldermore) in 1948. It was designed solely to meet Rootes production planning requirements for an underfloor 105&nbsp;hp diesel engine for the new forward control Commer range of heavy trucks. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081119151638/http://www.commer.org.nz/Commer_Connections/Other.html |archive-date=19 November 2008 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The TS3 and derivative TS4 were unique in using rockers to deliver power to the single crankshaft.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.commer.org.nz/Commer_Connections/Other_2_Strokes.html |title=Other Two Strokes |access-date=2008-11-05 |quote=Many two-strokes used opposed piston layouts, but the design feature that set the TS3/4 apart from other two-strokes was the use of rockers to transmit power from the piston to the crankshft and the use of a single crankshaft. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100522123547/http://www.commer.org.nz/Commer_Connections/Other_2_Strokes.html |archive-date=22 May 2010 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>

=== TS4 ===
The TS4 engine ran 1.2 million miles as a pre-production prototype. It was a 4-cylinder version of the TS3.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.commer.org.nz/Commer_Connections/TS4_Motor.html |title=The TS4 Prototype |access-date=2008-11-05 |quote=All the 14 prototype TS4s were test bed run initially. Six stayed in test bed work and eight were put in trucks for road evaluation, prior to going into production. The engines that were put in trucks ran up to 1.2 million miles between the 8 of them, trouble free, before being pulled out and scrapped on instructions from Chrysler to protect Chrysler’s joint venture in England with Cummins. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014115611/http://www.commer.org.nz/Commer_Connections/TS4_Motor.html |archive-date=14 October 2008 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
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== Motorsport ==
[[File:Ecurie Ecosse Car Transporter.jpg|thumb|right|The restored Ecurie Ecosse Car Transporter]]
The Scottish motor racing team [[Ecurie Ecosse]], used a Commer-based double-deck [[Ecurie Ecosse#Team car transporter|transporter]] during the 1950s.<ref>{{cite news|last=Llewellin|first=Phil|title=Motoring: Heroes of the golden years|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|date=6 November 1999|id={{ProQuest|317260939}}}}</ref>
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== Karrier ==
[[File:Karrier Bantam.jpg|thumb|Karrier Bantam (c.&nbsp;1952)]]
{{Main|Karrier}}
Commer acquired the Karrier company in 1934<ref name =TT46923>Chairman's speech to the AGM, Humber, Limited. ''The Times'', Wednesday, Nov 28, 1934; pg. 21; Issue 46923.</ref> and Karrier joined the [[Rootes Group]].<ref>[http://www.imps4ever.info/marques/rootes.html The Rootes Group, www.imps4ever.info] Retrieved 11 September 2015</ref>  Special products in their catalogue included their ''Cob'' tractor, their "mechanical horse" originated by Karrier in 1930, and municipal motor appliances: refuse collectors, sweepers and trolley buses. The ''Cob'' had been supplied to the Southern, LNE and LM&S railway companies and repeat orders were in hand at the time Karrier was bought.<ref name =TT46923/>

In the early 1960s production moved to [[Dunstable]] where Commer, Dodge (UK) and Karrier were all brought together.

The Karrier trademark is now owned by Peugeot.
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== Scale models and die-cast ==
* [[Lesney Products]] "[[Matchbox (brand)|Matchbox" Series]]; No. 47b, (production 1963 to 1969), Commer BF "Ice Cream Canteen", [[Lyons Maid]] livery, approximately [[00 scale]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Ramsey|first=John|title=The Swapmeet and Toyfair Catalogue of British Diecast Model Toys|publisher=Swapmeet Toys and Models Ltd|date=1984|page=96|isbn=095093190X}}</ref>
* Lesney Products "Matchbox" Series; No. 62b, (production 1963 to 1969), Commer BF "TV Service Van", 'Rentaset' livery, approximately [[00 scale]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Ramsey|first=John|title=The Swapmeet and Toyfair Catalogue of British Diecast Model Toys|publisher=Swapmeet Toys and Models Ltd|date=1984|page=100|isbn=095093190X}}</ref>
* Meccano [[Dinky Toys]]; No. 430 (production 1954–64), Commer Breakdown Vehicle (Superpoise), approximately [[O scale]] (1:44).<ref>{{cite book|last=Ramsey|first=John|title=The Swapmeet and Toyfair Catalogue of British Diecast Model Toys|year=1984|publisher=Swapmeet Toys and Models Ltd|page=36|isbn=095093190X}}</ref>
* [[Mettoy-Corgi|Corgi]] produced several models based on Commer vehicles between 1956 and 1971, including liveried delivery vans, dropside lorries and a mobile camera van (with accessories) in approximately [[O scale]] (1:44).<ref>{{cite book|last=Ramsey|first=John|title=The Swapmeet and Toyfair Catalogue of British Diecast Model Toys|year=1984|publisher=Swapmeet Toys and Models Ltd|page=147|isbn=095093190X}}</ref>
* [[Oxford Diecast]] produce several models based on Commer vehicles in [[OO scale]] and [[N scale]].

== See also ==
* [[Dodge 50 series]]
* [[Dodge 500]] trucks

== Notes ==
{{reflist|group=note}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Commer vehicles}}
* [http://www.rootes-chrysler.co.uk/car-history/spacevan.html Rootes-Chrysler resource site]
* [https://www.google.com/maps/@51.8892227,-0.5034939,3a,60y,281.64h,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sdJBUxWClmiRC5J9AnlP8aw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656 The location of the Commer factory - now Renault owned]
* [https://www.oxforddiecast.co.uk/collections/commer Oxford Diecast - Commer models]

{{Rootes Group}}
{{Chrysler Holding LLC}}
{{Automotive industry in the United Kingdom}}

[[Category:Rootes Group]]
[[Category:Commer vehicles]]
[[Category:Defunct truck manufacturers of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Defunct bus manufacturers of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1905]]
[[Category:Vehicle manufacturing companies disestablished in 1979]]
[[Category:Vans]]
[[Category:1905 establishments in England]]
[[Category:1979 disestablishments in England]]
[[Category:Renault trucks| ]]