1965 Commer Cob Brabham Conversion

Lot details
Registration No: CTA404C
Chassis No: 63301430LHVO
Mot Expiry: Aug 2011

Commer started life as the Commercial Car Company in 1905, at modest premises in South London. The firm's fortunes did not run smooth, however, and they had faced receivership several times prior to being taken over by Humber Cars in 1926. By 1931, both marques had been absorbed by the Rootes Group, which also swallowed up Hillman, Singer, Sunbeam, Talbot and Karrier.

The Commer Cob was a panel van based on the Hillman Husky Estate Car, which itself was derived from the Hillman Minx Saloon. The first Cob appeared in the mid `50s. It was powered by a 1265cc side-valve engine mated to a floor-change, four-speed manual gearbox and had two passenger doors plus a large side-hinged one at the rear for the loading of goods. The Series I model of 1958 brought more power, the Series II a slightly lower roof, deeper windscreen and better seats, while the Series III featured further minor changes to the bodywork. Production ceased in 1965.

The 1965 example offered is no ordinary Cob! Apparently it was upgraded in period by Brabham of Chessington and fitted with a 1725cc Sunbeam Alpine engine topped by an alloy cylinder head and twin SU carburettors. The unit was mated to a four-speed overdrive gearbox and the handling taughtened by a front anti-roll bar. Since 2003, a higher ratio final drive has been substituted and a full set of period Rootes instruments added. The earlier exhaust has been replaced by a stainless steel system. Attention to the bodywork has included the fitting of replacement front wings, bonnet, front panel, rear bumper and front and rear over-riders. A number of spares are included in the sale and the van is MOT'd into August 2011. A perfect vehicle for traffic light Grands Prix and the Goodwood Revival meeting!