MEET THE OWNER – KEN COOKE AND HIS AUSTIN 101 VAN
24th September, 2020
When Ken Cooke was a 17-year-old apprentice painter, one of the vehicles he was called on to finish was an early Morris-Commercial J Van. He promised himself that one day he would own such a van and a few years later in 1964 that dream came true when he bought a 1958-vintage Austin 101, the Longbridge answer to the famous Cowley utility vehicle. Fifty-six years later that same van is still primed and ready for service – and has even guest-starred on Heartbeat.
The original Morris-Commercial J-Type debuted at the 1948 Commercial Vehicle Show at Earls Court, and production commenced in the following year. It was regarded as quite revolutionary in its day as the first van in its class that was not to be derived directly from a car. The compact dimensions were particularly suited to urban delivery work while its load capacity was a remarkable 150 cubic feet. Commercial Motor of 1949 noted that compared with its rivals, the Morris offered 30 cubic ft. more earning capacity, yet its overall length is at least 8 inches less.
By 1952 the J dispensed with the Commercial suffix. Five years later it was replaced by the JB which was powered by the 1.5-litre B-Series engine and fitted with a four-speed transmission. BMC also offered a badge-engineered Austin 101 "Express Delivery Van" with an elaborate radiator grille and otherwise identical coachwork. The price was £532, with a choice of colours costing £21 extra. Other options included bumpers, a sun visor and for another £7, a front passenger seat. XRH 885 even boasts the luxury of a heater, although Ken regards it as 'useless' asides from demisting.
The brochures claimed that the 101 acted 'as a travelling salesman wherever it may go' and grocers and other small businesses used the Austin for many years after production ceased in 1961. The Cooke Austin was first commissioned by the paint merchant Arthur Sanderson & Co, and it was 'quite a wreck' when Ken acquired it. Over the decades the Austin has served as transport for sign-writing equipment and family holidays. In times gone by, Ken would pilot the 101 with its sliding doors opened for natural air-conditioning.
When the Austin made its bow, the JB range was already supplanted by the slightly larger J2 while BMC would introduce its eventual J4 replacement in 1960. Ken points out that the 101 is a van 'of the pre-motorway age. It is really at its best travelling at 30 – 40 mph on local roads. The steering leaves a lot to be desired, and it is very noisy, but the transmission is good, and the Austin is fitted with a hypoid rear axle'.
Today, the 101 wears the livery of a BMC Service Vehicle and looks smart enough to meet with the approval of Sir Leonard Lord himself. Naturally, it causes a minor sensation whenever Ken takes it for a drive as 'everybody admires it'. And this is not only because of six appearances on Heartbeat but because it is a vehicle of quite incredible charisma, one that is evocative of another world as The Daily Herald or a Marty Wilde record.
WITH THANKS TO: Ken Cooke and Debbie Ne
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