'RECOVERED' … One owner over 52 years!

Imagine our excitement when we were introduced to ‘VPB’. This sits very comfortably within our collection being every bit a workhorse. Having been fitted from new to carry the famed Harvey Frost 30cwt Recovery Crane, this 1968 LWB Series IIA has worked ceaselessly as a recovery truck in the hands of Hampshire family motor engineering company, Clacy & Sons, from whom the vehicle joined us at LRHC. Although we have a similar vehicle in the course of restoration, the attraction of this vehicle is that, like it or hate it, ’VPB’ represents one of those rare opportunities where what you are looking at is unique and, unquestionably, wholly honest and genuine.

One’s eyes are soon drawn to the many adaptions that have been made to the vehicle by the Clacy family during its illustrious life. In addition to the more subtle changes, one can’t help but spot the spare pair of head lights in the front wings and the modern amber flashing light bar up top. Whilst such mod’s may not appeal to purists, in our eyes they speak to the history of the vehicle over the past 50 years during which it was valued for its practical role in the workplace, rather than as a sterile work of reference. It's looks are governed by the most conspicuous adaption to the bodywork which is of the same age as the vehicle. That open backed weather cover over the rear deck was fabricated by an Andover body shop soon after the vehicle was purchased by the Clacy family. This not only provided a weather break in the back but, in the words of Ian Clacy "stopped the tub filling up with leaves!".

So this cracking vehicle illustrates so well what it meant to be a working ‘Land Rover’ before enthusiasts and well-healed sentimentalists (like us) got involved and confused the iconic (and some might say overly sanitised) Land Rover image.

Recovery trucks have of course been around almost as long as the motor car itself. And Harvey Frost & Co Limited is amongst one of the earliest providers of the necessary lifting gear. Harvey Frost started selling cranes from its Central London premises in 1905, originally manufactured on its behalf by Ernest Lake Limited. By the early 60’s it had moved to Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, having developed a lightweight detachable crane for the Austin Gipsy. Naturally, once the Land Rover came onto the scene it ousted the Austin as the platform of choice for this lightweight detachable 30cwt crane. The rest is history. The ‘Cat no 21, Harvey Frost Pick-up Crane’ soon became a Rover Company approved adaption for Land Rovers (with recommended heavy-duty suspension). So popular were they that examples are not in short supply. In a short while at the Collection we will be able to exhibit one fully restored recovery truck in its showroom condition and, by way of comparison, this fine example that is still dressed in its work clothes.