World's only surviving Tri-van goes on display!

Museum director, Bill Bewley, with the Tri-Van.

A 1940s light delivery vehicle – known as the ‘Tri-van’ – has been restored to full working order and is now on display at the Lakeland Motor Museum.

8This is the sole surviving example of the 1949 Tri-Van, designed to combine the storage capacity of a small van with the low running costs of a motorcycle for small parcel deliveries and collections.

Originally built by Turner Manufacturing Ltd of Wolverhampton - but sold under the brand name Light Delivery Vehicles - the Museum bought the vehicle at auction and has had it restored locally; it was re-built in Greenodd and repainted in Ambleside.

Bill Bewley, Director at the Lakeland Motor Museum, says, “It’s always a pleasure to welcome new exhibits to the collection, particularly the more unusual or unique items like the Tri-Van.

It is genuinely something which can’t be seen anywhere else and helps bring a slice of our history and heritage back to life.

Although there are no immediate plans to ride the Tri-Van out on the road, it is in full working order and could potentially be used on a public highway. That would definitely be a sight for sore eyes!”

Chris Lowe, Operations Manager at the Museum, adds, “The Tri-Van is part of a trio of vehicles, which also included a ‘By-van’ and a Rixi model with room for two passengers. Together they
completed a 2000 mile run from Land’s End to John O’Groats in 1950, but as far as we know, very few were ever sold. We’d love to hear from anyone who has memories of the vehicles or was
originally involved in working on them.”

The Tri-Van has a two-stroke 168cc engine and 3 speed gearbox.