When it comes to heritage, Mobiler Paul Field is one of the most enthusiastic and knowledgeable members of the industry.
Paul and I were recently discussing manufacturers of Ice Cream Vans from years gone by and in particular MTS Ltd of Feltham. He pointed me in the direction of the new archive offered by Commercial Motor magazine.
The search facility allows you to look back as far as 1905 for articles covering all manner of subjects. Just typing in ice cream brings up over 400 articles itself!
For info, here is the text from the article that Paul directed me to where it talks about an order for 100 Commers and 25 Trojan Ice Cream Vans;
A THREE-FIGURE contract for ice.1-1. cream vans is among new orders placed with vehicle manufacturers. Mylos (Caterers), Ltd., 251 Chiswick High Road, London, W.4, have contracted tobuy 100 ice-cream vans from M.T.S., Ltd., Browells Lane, Feltham, Middx.
To be based on Commer 11-ton chassis, they are stated to be the first in this country to be fitted with Italian Carpigiani instant ice cream-making equipment, for which Mr. Whippy (Soft Freeze), Ltd., 61 Warwick Street, Leamington Spa, are the sole agents in this country.
The vans will have interior lining in Warerite. Mylos may have a further 250 vans of this type made for use in Spain.
A fleet of Trojan 25-cwt. ice-cream sales vehicles is being supplied to Messrs. G. W. Beeston and Son, Chelmsford, by the Romford Motor Co., Ltd.
With the colder months now upon us, there’s some great reading here http://archive.commercialmotor.com