![]() ![]() “So naturally, when I wanted to give the van a newspaper livery, I thought of the Kent Messenger rather than some northern paper. ![]() “Even when I went away to college in Bath, my mother used to post me a copy every week, and I still read it today. “But as I was born and bred in Maidstone, in Barming in fact, and as a former pupil of Maidstone Grammar School, I have always been an avid reader of the Kent Messenger. The load space in the back of the vehicle. Picture: Robin Lawton Vintage and Classic Cars Just two seats - and only one door! Picture: Robin Lawton Vintage and Classic Cars Mr Kimber completed his restoration in 2018, but admitted: “It is a bit of an anachronism because although the Seven’s were popular with many local newspapers, the KM itself didn’t use them. “I’m 81 now and clambering in and out was becoming a bit difficult,” he said. It is actually that which has caused Mr Kimber to put his creation up for sale. But actually, this vehicle has a central gearstick, making exiting a bit of a pain. The design was a leftover from earlier models which had the gearstick and handbrake on the driver’s right, which then meant that getting out on the left was easier. As a result, the driver has to squirm across to the passenger side to get out. One thing which modern drivers may find difficult to adjust to is the fact there is no driver’s door. All mod cons - including a clock! Picture: Robin Lawton Vintage and Classic Cars It was built on a 1930s Austin 7 chassis. Picture: Robin Lawton Vintage and Classic Cars Inside the redesigned delivery vehicle. Picture: Robin Lawton Vintage and Classic Cars The end result boasts an “uncluttered” dashboard with a speedometer, ammeter and a clock.Ī period trunk in the load space houses the tools for any necessary roadside repairs. Mr Kimber started his four-year restoration project with a bare 1930 chassis and a 747cc engine. The roll-top rear door was a distinctive feature, replicating a popular piece of furniture from the period – the roll-top study desk. The van, which cost in the region of £180, had a 7hp engine. The newspaper industry found them particularly useful when dropping off bundles of newspapers to corner stores and street sellers and they were used by the likes of the Derby Evening Telegraph, the Lincolnshire Echo and the Leicester Evening Mail. Picture: Robin Lawton Vintage and Classic Cars Ken Kimber with his creation They were designed as four-person family saloons, but were also adapted to many other uses, including as taxis, tractors and lightweight delivery vans. The vehicles had what quickly became the conventional design of a four-cylinder, four-stroke, water-cooled engine, with rear-wheel drive. Mr Smith also lost a colony in October and December, which were both destroyed by vandals, but said: “We’ll go again in April, I’ll replace the colonies along with any I lose naturally over winter.Between its appearance in 1922 and the end of production in 1939, more than 290,000 were made. “I can handle the loss of the colony, I want the money to go to the local youth club, or back into the Coxheath community.” “They obviously told me it wasn’t them and was another lad, but they said they weren’t going to do any more harm. He said: “I know the boys who did it, I’ve spoken to them. Mr Smith, however, has turned down the £178 raised so far wanting the money to go on other projects. Thousands of bees were killed when vandals attacked a colony in Coxheath (6831531)Īn online fundraising page set up to replace the £600 colony described the attack as “mindless”. Locals around Coxheath have rallied to support the farm off Heath Road. Mr Smith continued: “We’re under so much pressure at the moment anyway “I’ve got 60 colonies in all, half a dozen are very vulnerable during the winter, I naturally lose a couple of colonies every winter. The beekeeper of 12 years believes up to 30,000 were inside the colony, before it was kicked over and destroyed on January 16. “If someone attacked their colony at this time of year the bees wouldn’t be able to sting and they’d freeze.”
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