Commer

Commercial Cars Ltd were a producer of Lorries and Trucks from 1907 to 1976

1907 Founded and the name abbreviated to Commer. Built with the Lindley epicyclic preselector gearbox
WW1 Produced some 3,000 model RC 4ton models
1926 Taken over by Humber cars and they renamed their Centaur Co as Commer
1928 Group taken over by Rootes Group
WW2 Produced some 20,000 vehicles
1948 New range launched with 5ton and 7ton payloads
1953 A two stroke diesel marketed with two horizontally opposed piston in each of the three cylinders
1961 Introduced successful 1.5 / 5ton delivery van
1966 Entered heavier market with a 16ton gvw chassis and cab
1964 Chrysler bought in to Rootes Group
1973 Chrysler gain full control of the company
1976 The name was discontinued

Cars

Commer were based in Luton and were part of the Rootes Group.
The first double-decker arrived in 1909.
New models were introduced in the 1920's so there wasn't demand for the Lindley gearbox.
After 1926 the Lindley was no longer fitted.
From 1922 the company hit a postwar slump and was run by a receiver and manager.
In 1926 the company was sold to Humber and later the name was changed to Commer Cars.
In 1930 Commer only offered 20 or 26-seat models with normal control.
In 1939 the new Superpoise series was designed. It had a semi-forward control layout. Diesel and petrol engines were offered, and a choice of wheelbases from 20 to 32 seats.
From 1946 to 1949 Commers's first postwar chassis was built called the Commando over 1,300 of these were made.
They were popular with the Royal Air Force.
1954 Commer were offering a new diesel engine, the TS3 in the Avenger III.
The TS3 was a small 3.26 litre with three-cylinder two stroke with supercharging horizontal cylinders.
1960's a the 1500-series van used as a minibus was launched.
1964 Crossville purchased two vans.
1976 the vans were rebadged as Dodge (qv) when Rootes Group were taken over by Chrysler.