1932 Light Commercial Van

The Stevens` formed their new company, Stevens Brothers (Wolverhampton) Ltd, in May 1932, just 7 months after the announcement of the closure of A.J.S. It is hard to imagine that in that short space of time they had come up with the idea for a light commercial van, Harry had designed it and they had sorted out the production. All this while they were dismantling the huge conglomerate that was A.J.S. It is more likely that the idea was conceived over the preceding years but put on the back boiler while they concentrated on their motorcycles, cars and commercial vehicles in what was a very difficult trading climate. This model is the very first that the Stevens Brothers produced on their return to vehicle manufacture. It features the early and `unpredictable` chain drive which was replaced in 1935 with a shaft drive. Front doors were also a later refinement, and I should imagine in the winter, a most welcome one. The engine was a specially designed water cooled, single cylinder, 588cc side valve.

Alan, from the South East of England, bought this van in 2002 against stiff competition from an Australian collector and a little is known of it`s history.

In 1946 or `47 it was being used by a farm worker who lived in Warwickshire. When he retired he had to leave his tied cottage and went to live with his sister. Unfortunately she did not have room for his van, so it was left at the cottage, where the body ended up being used as a chicken coop. After 30 or so years of neglect it was rescued and restored. This van was shown on the Stevens Project stand at the Stafford Classic Bike Show in 2007, which was organised to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the marque, where it was spotted by the gentleman who originally restored it, and he was very pleased to be re-united with it.
The company had a license arrangement with the firm of Bowdens allowing them to be made in London. The company that made them was called Stevens & Bowden Ltd. The Stevens Light Commercial Van was a success with about 500 being produced in small batches until they were discontinued in favour of motorcycle production in 1936.