1926 / 27 Vulcan Truck

Vulcan, based in Southhamton, made cars from 1902 until 1928 and commercial vehicles until 1953. Brothers Thomas and Joseph Hampson traded as Vulcan Motors and built the first Vulcan car which was a 4 hp (3.0 kW) single cylinder belt-driven type in 1902. In 1903, this grew to 6.5 hp (4.8 kW) and the chassis was now "armoured ash". Twin-cylinder 1.5 L models followed in 1904, now with steel chassis, and in 1905, 2 and then 3 Litre four-cylinder types appeared and the company moved from Yellow House Lane to Hawesside Street both in Southport. Things kept growing and a van version of the twin came in 1906 along with large 4.8 Litre six-cylinder models and a move to even larger premises at Crossens, Southport with a change of company name to Vulcan Motor and Engineering.

In 1919, Harper Bean acquired 75% of the company under a complex cash and shares deal and went into the British Motor Trading Corporation with the intention that Vulcan be responsible for commercial vehicles; nevertheless, car production continued. With peace restored, the first new launch was the 16 with 2.6 L Dorman engine. The cars now had a flat radiator replacing the pre-war "bullnose" type. There was also a nominal 12 model which became the main product from 1920 to 1927, which was available with a range of engines from Dorman (1.8 Litre), Meadows (1.5 Litre), and British Anzani (1.5 Litre). The model was also sold as the Lea-Francis Kirkstone as from 1922 the companies shared some manufacturing and a dealer network. The 20 available from 1920 to 1922 with 3.3 L Vulcan engine and from 1923 to 1925 with 3.7 Litre shared mechanical components with the 1½ and 2 ton trucks. The final car was the 14/40 (1927-28) and 16/60 (1928-29) with their own design twin camshaft six of 1.7 and 2 Litre.

Financial problems came in 1928 and C. B. Wardman resigned. Officially, no more cars came from Southport but some badged as Lea-Francis may have been made. From 1930, production was solely of trucks and buses which had been made seriously since 1922. Many of the trucks were aimed at the municipal market and road sweepers and refuse trucks sold well. Amongst the buses, twenty seater buses were sold from 1922 on the two-ton chassis. A 6.6 Litre Vulcan-engined 32-seat Brisbane came in 1928 and the Emperor double decker in 1930.

This immaculate and very rare Vulcan 2 ton VSD commercial lorry in immaculate condition is believed to be one of no more than six in existence around the world. Built in 1926/27 by the Vulcan Motor and Engineering Company of Crossens, Southport, is understood to have been re-registered in 1933 after being rebuilt at the factory following an accident or possible fire damage to the vehicle.

After many years of use, it was completely restored in 1992 after it had deteriorated into a very poor state. Then, in the early 2000s, it was re-painted in it's new livery by the previous owner. The current owner purchased the Vulcan in 2003. The Vehicle has spent much of its time stored, thus its condition is little changed from the 1992 rebuild. It has a 3400cc 4 cylinder side valve petrol engine and 4 speed gear box all in perfect

In working order and only recently brought out of storage for photographing, this old lorry still runs very sweetly after 85 years!