Thornycroft, an established firm of steam launch builders, was an early entrant to the realm of motor manufacturing in 1897. In the early days both steam and petrol driven vehicles were built, but steam lorry production ceased in 1907. Thornycroft’s most famous product was the J-type of which about 5,000 were built during the First World War. In 1961 the company’s vehicle building interests were taken over by AEC. Subsequent to the company’s merger with Leyland the Basingstoke factory was sold and vehicles were built under the Thornycroft name at the Scammell works in Watford, the last being in 1977. This very original example of a J-type was a war surplus vehicle supplied in about 1918 to Lowestoft Corporation for general duties, retaining its solid rubber tyres throughout its long career.