Recently, I visited the Simmonds family of Henlow, Bedfordshire, and in a few issues’ time we’ll look at the 1935 Thornycroft Bulldog which they bought in 1979 and subsequently restored. The Thornycroft, however, was not their first effort to save an historic lorry. That distinction went to the Bedford O-type which they purchased in 1975. Since the family has such a longstanding affinity with the O-type, it is only appropriate that we take a closer look at their example, although the one they now own is not that which Mike Simmonds bought almost 50 years ago.
The first O-type was in need of some considerable restoration, and progress was not aided by the arrival of the Thornycroft four years later, nor the fact that they were also restoring an Austin…
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Old Glory (Digital) - 1 Issue, April 2025