Founded in South London in 1905 and established as commercial vehicle manufacturers at its new Luton factory the following year, Commercial Cars Limited did not acquire the now familiar 'Commer' name until 1926 when Humber took control.

Two years later Humber/Commer joined Hillman in Rootes' rapidly expanding empire, the acquisition marking the group's entry into the commercial vehicle market.

Under Rootes' management the Commer range was rationalised and modernised, the smaller models' chassis, engines and running gear being shared with Rootes' passenger cars, and in 1932 the firm became the first in the UK to offer diesel engines as an option.

Post-WW2 the 8cwt 'Express Delivery Van' continued as Commer's principal light commercial offering, progressively updated in line with the equivalent Hillman/Humber passenger cars, until it ceased production in 1966.

This Commer EDV was restored in 1994 and at the same time repainted in the livery of K J Ayre & Sons, butchers of Barnstaple ...