Commer Cob

Commer

Company type	Private
Industry	Automotive
Predecessor	Commercial Cars Limited
Founded	September 1905 (1905-09)
Founder	H C B Underdown, H G Hutchinson
Defunct	1979
Headquarters	Luton , United Kingdom
Products	Commercial vehicles, military vehicles, buses, diesel engines
Parent	Rootes Group (from 1931), Chrysler Europe (from 1967), Peugeot (from 1978)

Commer was a UK-based manufacturer specializing in commercial and military vehicles from 1905 until 1979. Their lineup encompassed car-based vans, light and medium to heavy trucks, as well as buses. The company also engineered proprietary diesel engines tailored for heavy-duty vehicles.

History

The enterprise operated under the name Commercial Cars Limited, founded in September 1905 by directors including barrister H C B Underdown and H G Hutchinson, with the objective of producing commercial automobiles, omnibuses, charabancs, fire engines, and industrial transport vehicles. By 1920, it was recognized as the pioneering firm dedicated to internal combustion commercial industrial vehicles. To facilitate mass production, the company acquired a site on Biscot Road in Luton during 1905, where substantial workshop facilities were completed by late 1906. Commercial Cars became a member of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders in August 1906 and gained recognition for the Commer Car.

At the 1907 Olympia Commercial Motor Show, Commer presented a motor-bus chassis equipped with a 30–36 horsepower engine and a gearbox designed by works manager Mr Linley, which utilized dog clutches combined with constant mesh gears. That same year saw the launch of the robust E43 lorry featuring a four-cylinder engine delivering 33 horsepower and equipped with four forward gears.

The inaugural Commer truck, the 3-ton RC model, entered production in 1907; this evolved into the SC and subsequently the YC "Barnet" series. The firm's first bus was manufactured in 1909. During the First World War, Commer redirected its efforts towards military vehicle production for the British Army, manufacturing over 3,000 units by 1919.

Although financial restructuring was attempted in 1920 to address a £75,000 liability arising from Excess Profits Duty on wartime earnings, Commer was acquired by Humber Limited in 1926. Humber itself became a majority (60%) subsidiary of Rootes Group in 1931.

Following Rootes Group’s acquisition by Chrysler Europe, the Commer brand was gradually discontinued throughout the 1970s. After Peugeot took control of Chrysler Europe in 1978, the Commer plant operated in partnership with Renault Trucks. It continued producing Dodge-branded commercial vehicles under Renault badges with minimal innovation before transitioning exclusively to manufacturing engines for Renault trucks and buses by the early 1990s.

A significant number of Commer vehicles are distinguished by their use of the Rootes-designed Commer TS3 engine—an unusual two-stroke diesel three-cylinder opposed piston powerplant known colloquially as the "Commer Knocker" due to its distinctive noise. Subsequent models incorporated diesel engines from Perkins, Cummins, and occasionally Mercedes.

Commer N- and LN-series

Introduced in 1935, the N-series trucks served extensively with British forces during World War II. Production halted in 1939 and was not resumed after the war. Both cab-over-engine and bonneted cab variants were available, powered by petrol or diesel engines. Petrol options included six-cylinder units of either 3181cc or 4086cc displacement, alongside Perkins Leopard diesel engines.

The lineup comprised heavier N-series models as well as lighter LN series trucks (ranging from N1 to N6 based on payload capacity), along with PN-series buses which were predominantly diesel-powered. The PLNF5 model with a 4/5 ton rating debuted in 1938. LN trucks were engineered to comply with legal weight limits and adhere to the era's maximum speed restriction of 30 mph; their lower maximum weight compared to N-series models aimed to deter overloading. After initially discontinuing the 5½-ton N5 following introduction of the LN5 (4/5 ton), market demand led to its reintroduction in 1938.

Commer Superpoise

Launched in 1939, the Commer Superpoise (Q-series) featured trucks with semi-forward and full-forward control, showcasing sleek, American-inspired front designs similar to those of International trucks. These vehicles offered payload capacities ranging from 1½ to six tons and were equipped with six-cylinder petrol or diesel engines. In 1955, the new QX-series Superpoise was introduced, covering two- to five-ton payloads.

Although the Superpoise enjoyed moderate sales, it encountered stiff rivalry from Leyland and Bedford models. Production ceased in 1961.

Prior to Chrysler’s acquisition of Commer in 1967, the British Dodge 200 series was introduced in 1958 as the successor to the Dodge 100 "Kew." This series featured a cab designed by Airflow Streamlines of Northampton—the same company responsible for the 1955 Superpoise cabs—resulting in comparable cab styling and interchangeable components. For overseas markets, this line was marketed under the Fargo or DeSoto brands.

By 1963, the Dodge 200 series had evolved into the Dodge 400 series, adopting an American Dodge D series cab and engines sourced from Perkins and Leyland. Although primarily aimed at export markets, it was also sold domestically in the UK but did not achieve significant market penetration; UK production ended by 1965. The Dodge 400 bore a strong resemblance to its American equivalent, making it difficult to distinguish between the two.

In 1979, Dodge repeated this approach with the Dodge 50 series, which combined an American Dodge B series van cab with a medium-duty truck chassis designed in Britain.

Buses

Commer’s bus manufacturing dates back to at least 1909 when four units were delivered to Widnes. Post-World War II models included the Commando and the Avenger, launched on 28 February 1948. From 1954 onward, the Avenger was equipped with the TS3 engine. The Commando also served as a Royal Air Force Crew Bus after WWII, featuring a one-and-a-half length observation deck.

Commer 8 cwt

The Commer 8 cwt was a light commercial vehicle from the 1930s designed for the 8 long cwt (410 kg) van segment. It was powered by a four-cylinder engine of 1185 cc generating 33 hp at 4100 rpm. The vehicle had a fuel capacity of 33 liters and a wheelbase measuring 2340 mm.

Commer Light Pick-up

Produced during the 1950s, the Commer Light Pick-Up shared its design with the Hillman Minx saloon. A similar model branded as Hillman was also available. Engine sizes progressed from an initial 1184 cc four-cylinder in the Mark III to a 1265 cc unit in the Mark VI and finally a 1390 cc engine in the Mark VIII. Production concluded around 1958. Australian versions from circa 1950 included a coupé utility variant featuring an extra side window.

Commer Express Delivery Van

The Commer Express Delivery Van was manufactured during the 1950s as a light commercial vehicle competing within the 8–10 cwt van category. It was based on the Hillman Minx saloon and developed alongside it through versions ranging from Mark III to Mark VIIIB. The model released in 1957 offered approximately 100 cubic feet of load space and could carry about 9 cwt payload. It was powered by a four-cylinder Hillman engine of 1390 cc paired with a four-speed column-change gearbox. The van featured coil-sprung independent front suspension and drum brakes on all wheels, with twin-leading-shoe brakes at the front.

The Express Delivery Van was eventually replaced by the Commer FC series vans.

Commer Cob

The Commer Cob made its debut in early 1956 as a 7 cwt delivery van, derived from the Hillman Husky, which itself originated from the Hillman Minx Mark VIII. It bore resemblance to the Express but featured a shorter length, reduced cargo capacity, and a more rounded exterior design. Both the Cob and Husky received updates in 1958, transitioning to models based on the "Audax" Hillman Minx.

Commer Imp Van

Introduced in September 1965, the Commer Imp Van was built upon the Hillman Imp saloon platform. In October 1968, it was rebranded as the Hillman Imp Van. Production reached a total of 18,194 units before ceasing in July 1970. The last iteration of the Hillman Husky estate car, launched in July 1967, shared its front body panels up to the B-pillar with the Imp Van.

Commer BF

The Commer BF, produced from 1957, was a light to medium-duty van resembling what is now known as a step-van. Numerous units were custom-built as ice cream vans and ambulances. Various chassis cab versions were exported to regions such as Hong Kong, where local coachbuilders converted them into pickup trucks and box trucks. It offered a payload capacity and relatively robust engines for its time. Production concluded in 1966 following the introduction of the newer Walk-Thru model in 1961, with the BF positioned as a more affordable option. Heavier BF variants utilized engines shared with the Superpoise truck range.

Owing to Commer’s association with Karrier, a rebadged version of the BF was marketed by Karrier featuring more fuel-efficient engine options.

Commer Walk-Thru

Launched in 1961 as the successor to the BF, the Commer Walk-Thru was available in -ton, 2-ton, and 3-ton van and cab-chassis configurations powered by either diesel or petrol engines. Production extended to Spain through Santana Motors starting in 1964. A limited production run occurred at Todd Motors in New Zealand during 1970; however, it did not achieve commercial success there. The Walk-Thru underwent later updates and was sold under the Dodge brand (within Renault/Chrysler) until it was eventually replaced by the Dodge 50 Series in the late 1970s.

Commer FC/PA/PB/Spacevan

The Commer FC was introduced in 1960 offering multiple body styles including a van variant. Subsequent upgraded models were rebranded as PB in 1967 and later as SpaceVan in 1974. These forward-control vans were also marketed under Dodge and Fargo badges until production ended in 1976. They featured narrow front tracks derived from Humber car suspensions. Engine options progressed from a Hillman-based four-cylinder unit in the PA series to larger displacement engines in the PB series, along with a Perkins 4108 diesel alternative.

Following Chrysler’s financial rescue of its British operations in 1976, an enhanced version of the SpaceVan arrived in 1977 featuring cosmetic updates and interior refinements aimed at addressing previous shortcomings related to power and comfort. Although production ceased in 1982 under Peugeot ownership when it was considered outdated, it remained widely used due to significant deployment by Post Office Telecommunications, later British Telecom. Engine choices included two petrol variants of 1.7 litres (a low compression unit producing 37 kW and a high compression unit delivering 42 kW) plus a 31 kW diesel engine; all were coupled with four-speed manual transmissions without any automatic options offered. The final SpaceVan rolled off production lines in 1983.

Military vehicles

During the Second World War, Commer produced various military vehicles, some of which continued in active duty well into the 1980s. British Army personnel, including the noted humorist Frank Muir, frequently mentioned Commer vehicles in their service communications, underscoring their enduring role.

Engines

Commer developed and manufactured its own diesel engines tailored for heavy commercial trucks and buses. These compact engines were specifically designed for installation beneath vehicle cabs.

TS3

The TS3 was a unique two-stroke diesel engine with three cylinders, each housing a pair of pistons that formed the combustion chamber. Created exclusively for Commer trucks, it generated 105 horsepower and featured a rare mechanism where rockers transmitted power to a single crankshaft—an unusual approach among two-stroke engines.

TS4

The TS4 represented a four-cylinder advancement of the TS3 design. Prototype units underwent extensive testing, collectively covering 1.2 million miles to confirm durability before production ceased due to strategic business decisions linked to Chrysler’s partnership with Cummins in the UK.

Motorsport

In the 1950s, the Scottish racing outfit Ecurie Ecosse operated a double-deck transporter based on a Commer chassis for their team logistics.

Karrier

Commer took over Karrier in 1934, folding it into the Rootes Group. Karrier's portfolio included the Cob tractor—its "mechanical horse" concept dating back to 1930—as well as municipal vehicles like refuse trucks, street sweepers, and trolleybuses. The Cob was supplied extensively to leading railway companies, maintaining steady repeat orders at the time of acquisition.

By the early 1960s, manufacturing was centralized at Dunstable, consolidating operations from Commer, Dodge (UK), and Karrier.

Today, the Karrier brand is owned by Peugeot.

Scale models and die-cast

• Lesney Products "Matchbox" Series No. 47b (1963–1969): Commer BF "Ice Cream Canteen" in Lyons Maid colors, approximately 00 scale.
• Lesney "Matchbox" Series No. 62b (1963–1969): Commer BF "TV Service Van" featuring Rentaset livery, roughly 00 scale.
• Meccano Dinky Toys No. 430 (1954–64): Commer Breakdown Vehicle (Superpoise), around O scale (1:44).
• Corgi produced an assortment of Commer models between 1956 and 1971, including delivery vans, dropside trucks, and a mobile camera van complete with accessories, all approximately O scale (1:44).
• Oxford Diecast manufactures several Commer models available in both OO scale and N scale.

See also

• Dodge 50 series
• Dodge 500 trucks

External links

• Rootes-Chrysler resource site
• Location of former Commer factory, now owned by Renault
• Oxford Diecast - Commer model range