[Logaleta]

15:15 GMT, 3 June 2012

A vintage vehicle that lay hidden for 50 years in a farm barn has been restored to become one of only two survivors
of its type in the world. The 1941 Morris Z Type-2 former Post Office van was discovered by Gilbert Dawson
and John Sullivan, who are partners in the Gardiner’s Coach Repairs business in Spennymoor in County Durham.

They came across the rare find when a poultry farm was sold and a barn was being cleared of piles of egg boxes.



The vehicle was buried under the boxes with a tax disc showing that it was last used in 1962. Only 146 of the Morris
Type-2 vans were built, and the vehicle is one of only two that exist.

'It has created a big stir in the Morris world,' said John, who lives in Medomsley in County Durham The van will take
part in the Historic Commercial Vehicle Society’s annual Tyne-Tees run on Sunday.



More than 140 vehicles will take part, including the van whose restoration was completed earlier this month. It will be
accompanied by a 1949 Albion Valiant bus, which was the first vehicle to be restored by John and Gilbert over a period
of 12 years.



John said: 'When we restored the Albion bus we were delighted at the outcome and now it’s a hobby.

'We make many of the parts we need and it is a thrill to have a vehicle which is a pile of rust and then make it as good
as new again and put it back on the road.'

On Sunday John will be driving the van and Gilbert, who also restores tractors, will be behind the wheel of the Albion bus.