Morris Cowley Parkes Utility (sole survivor)

History

This fascinating old vehicle is believed to be the only surviving Morris Cowley Parkes Utility in the world. According to research documents in the history file, ten Morris Cowley 11.9hp Light Van chassis were despatched to The County Cellulose & Parkes Body Co. Ltd. of Sandling, Maidstone, on 20th and 21st September 1928.

Here the ten chassis (numbered 270735 to 270744) were given ash-framed, pine-panelled Parkes Utility truck bodies topped with a removable khaki twill hood and sidescreens. Inside the vehicles were fitted with seats for four or more, any or all of which could be easily removed to convert it from a car into a light lorry, tender or shooting brake.

First registered in Kent in May 1929, KP 6009 is believed to be the last of the ten to be bodied and was supplied new to Lady Mildmay-White for use on her Flete Estate in Devon. She kept the vehicle for almost 20 years before it was passed on to a local farmer in 1948 and ended its days as a mobile greengrocer's shop in 1952.

In January 1967 and now in a rather sorry state, the vehicle was rescued by David Griffin who owned Churston Village Shoppe near Brixham, Devon. He embarked on a lengthy restoration of the vehicle during the 1970s, including remaking the entire bodywork using an ash frame with marine plywood panels. This was topped with a detachable aluminium hardtop and the vehicle was used to promote the shop during the 1980s.

Acquired by the current vendor in 2002, the vehicle is said to be in running order and has recently had the clutch recorked. Apart from the odd run up and down the drive it has been very little used in recent years and will now need some recommissioning. It comes with a fair amount of history, current V5C and a well stocked toolbox mounted on the nearside running board. Altogether a unique, fascinating and practical vehicle that is sure to be a real talking point at any vintage event.