Restored 1951 coal lorry to go on display at Ipswich Transport Museum
At least £15,000 has been spent to restore the vehicle
Last updated 8th Jun 2023
A museum in Suffolk has spent over fifteen thousand pounds restoring a coal lorry from 1951 back to its former glory.
Volunteers at Ipswich Transport Museum worked on the Morrison Coal Lorry, which is thought to be the only working battery electric coal lorry in the UK, for five years.
It was new to Ipswich Co-Op in Derby Road depot in 1951, and was used for door-to-door domestic coal deliveries for thirty years.
It was then donated to the museum in derelict condition in the early 1980s.
Much of the original vehicle has survived restoration, including some of the original paintwork and signwriting.
However, the electrical system had to be completely rebuilt, the motor overhauled, and £15,000 worth of new batteries installed.
The vehicle is powered by 40 2V lead acid batteries feeding a 19 HP refurbished electric motor and can carry a full load of 1cwt sacks double stacked at 10mph.
Leo Brome added: 'We're looking forward to showing it off. We hope vistors will come and meet the restoration team, and enjoy watching us explain what we did, and how the vehicle works'.
It'll be on show in the museum from Sunday (11th June).