Barnfind Ford model Y commercial van trio

I was contacted by a lady on 16/05/23 who was looking to dispose of her fathers collection of small Ford Commercials.

a 1934 Ford model Y van in older restoration condition, in need of some recommissioning and light repair to delaminating wood, but what appears to be in generally good all round condition, she comes with her original transferable registration number RAY 553.

a Ford model Y pickup truck again this vehicle appears in good general condition with complete engine and gearbox rebuild, chassis rebuilt and painted to a lovely finish, the bodywork is in need of repainting but absolutely solid with no rot whatsoever ever, this truck was converted from a saloon many years ago and had been done to a very hide standard, new tyres, new trim no expense spared, she also comes with her original registration number CNC 267

a Ford Model Y van in the middle of extensive restoration with all the major work already completed.

engine and gearbox totally rebuilt, chassis rebuilt, all new brakes etc some panel work to be completed but again in overall outstanding condition and will make a beautiful little truck she also comes with her original transferable registration number.
yeterday 20/05/23 George and I traveled down to Surrey from Wolverhampton to view the collection, it was a beautiful morning when we set off, a relaxed drive down with no traffic issues until we hit the M25.

we arrived at 12pm where we were met by Leigh, the lady that contacted me, lovely lady, she invited us in to meet her father John who had contracted Covid and was suffering with Long Covid symptoms, he explained that he had been bed ridden for many months, he had to give up his workshop a short walk from his house, he had been let down by the medical service and was suffering with his poor health, it was a sad conversation to have with a man who was once clearly very strong, he still has that glint in his eye and when we shook hands it was strong and accompanied with that wink, if you recognise what I describe I know you’ve had a deal or two .
Leigh made a lovely cup of tea and John, George and I chatted a while.

it was time to go into the garage to view the vans, it was clear to me that John knew what he was doing, he had owned these vehicles for 30 odd years, the work carried out was to an excellent standard, wheels rebuilt, new paint, new tyres, engines gearboxes rebuilt, all new brakes on all three vehicles, even the spare engines (3 off) had all been rebuilt, dashboards painted to a high gloss finish, trim restored and all chassis restored to top class condition.
Johns Son in law took us to another large shed at the bottom of the garden where there was another collection of spare parts, whilst there he recalled a visit to a place in Surrey with John 30 years ago to buy the parts, he said they pulled up to a residential area, where a bungalow stood, he said he thought John had got the wrong address, it didn’t look like it was a place you could buy Ford model Y parts from, however as they stepped into the house they realised they were in the Mecca of Ford model Y parts, the gentleman had dexion racking along every wall in the house.

the gentleman had purchased every Ford part he could when local businesses closed down.

Whilst chatting over their cuppa John told the Gentleman that he owns RAY 553 , the gentleman walks over to a cupboard still chatting and comes back with three pictures of RAY 553 when it was in his ownership some 30 years previously.
Apparently the gentleman set up a museum in Monaco for Prince Rainier 111 and has photos of him and Grace Kelly pushing the cars into place?
what a wonderful story.
anyway it was time to go back to John in the kitchen to thrash out a deal, he was a hard man to deal with but fair, again we shook hands and there was that wink again.
absolute pleasure to deal with you John.