Bowker’s Longstanding Relationship with the British Commercial Vehicle Museum

Bowker has a proud partnership with the British Commercial Vehicle Museum, spanning over 20 years. Our commitment to preserving the rich heritage of the UK’s transport industry is reflected in the historic vehicles we currently have on display at the museum in Leyland.

Visitors to the museum can see three of Bowker’s prized heritage vehicles, each representing an important era in road transport history:

• • 1924 Thornycroft BX – TC 9816: This vehicle was known as a workhorse of its time, with a solid build ensuring reliability. The Thornycroft in the museum was bought in the 60’s and completely refurbished in our 1920’s livery.
  • 1933 Leyland Beaver – TJ 3664: The Leyland Beaver was a significant advancement in commercial vehicle engineering. It became the staple for Bowker’s heavy goods transport, offering greater power and efficiency than its predecessors. For Bowker, it provided the reliable and robust solution for expanding our transport operations in the 30’s and 40’s.
  • 1967 Atkinson Silver Knight – GBV 759E: The Atkinson Silver Knight was a legendary truck of the 1960s, which we ran as the main vehicle in our fleet for almost 3 decades, being favoured for its durability and strong performance. It became the fleet’s frontline vehicle, providing a crucial role in maintaining dependable long-haul services, reinforcing our reputation for reliability.

Each of these vehicles represents a significant era in commercial transport history and showcases the evolution of road haulage over the decades.

Our connection with the museum goes beyond vehicle preservation. The late Bill Bowker Snr played an instrumental role in supporting the museum, serving as a Trustee for several years. His passion for the industry and dedication to heritage preservation helped strengthen the partnership between Bowker and the museum, ensuring that future generations can appreciate the legacy of British commercial vehicles.

Today, we remain committed to supporting the museum’s efforts to celebrate and educate the public on the importance of commercial transport. Our involvement continues in honour of Bill Bowker Snr’s contributions and in recognition of the industry that has been at the heart of our company for over a century.

For those interested in experiencing this rich history firsthand, the British Commercial Vehicle Museum provides an excellent opportunity to explore these classic vehicles and learn about their impact on the transport industry.

The British Commercial Vehicle museum is located just 3 minutes from M6 JCT 28 for Leyland. Please check website for opening times and further information regarding events and admission.

Link to the website: https://www.britishcommercialvehiclemuseum.com/