J4 at 60!
With enthusiastic users from The Beatles (sort of) to the Post Office, BMC’s J4 van was once seen everywhere, transporting everything from fruit and veg to arrested criminals.
Launched in a fanfare of not too many instruments at the 1960 Commercial Motor Show, the J4 wasn’t exactly treated to a glossy brochure and snazzy advertising slogan. “Setting a new style in local delivery,” was the best BMC could come up with to sell the new baby in an already strong market with the Bedford, Ford, Rootes and Volkswagen all pitching for a share. Not forgetting the slightly larger BMC J2 which added to confusion as well as competition.
Not only that but the J4 was originally offered in Austin or Morris guise, identical but for the badging, to satisfy separate – and often at a local level competing
