Heritage Commercials Magazine - capturing the spirit of vintage days

Comment - July 2010

Everybody has different interests in life, and this also extends to the field of classic commercials. Now, over the years we’ve featured some superb vehicles in the pages of HC, but we’ve always tried to stick to the 25-year-old rule. However, there are a growing number of vehicles entering the classic scene that are a lot younger than that age; and given the time, money and effort that their owners have put in, it seems such a shame not to give them some pages to show that their work is appreciated.

So, you say, why not just let the odd one sneak in without changing Heritage Commercials? Well, it’s not quite that simple. For example, on some occasions when we’ve featured a 1980s lorry, we often get the message: “What’s that doing in HC? It’s far too new.” And so here’s what’s happening. As of this issue, HC will concentrate on commercials made before 1980, while ‘Classic Truck’ will feature vehicles from 1980 up to around the mid-1990s. Now there are obviously times when HC will feature newer vehicles and Classic Truck include older ones; as if we’re telling a manufacturer’s history in HC, for example, we wouldn’t suddenly stop at 1980 and carry on in Classic Truck!

One obvious thing about Classic Truck is that as well as including the increasing numbers of more modern commercials that are entering preservation, we’ll also be able to feature more commercials still working for a living. I think we all know of some fantastic ‘emerging classics’ out there that are still earning their keep – like the early 1990s Foden tipper I see most mornings on my way into work. It’s like a showroom example – how can it still look so good after almost 20 years use!

As we’ll be featuring a certain amount of working classics, we’ll also be looking regularly at something that’s definitely increased over the last 30 years and will be relevant to them – regulations and red tape.

But on the whole, Classic Truck will just carry on where HC leaves off and bring you more superb classic vehicles and features on the world of commercial road transport.

Stephen Pullen
Editor