→PTT Fourgon 1949-50, 2025 - ?

English text, for the photos please look up the  → German text

I've had far too many Vauxhalls, and the DX was my last project. I'm approaching 80, after all. But...

In August 2025, I was offered a barn find: a 1949 Vauxhall PTT Fourgon, chassis LBP 34356, engine 35896.
The owner: Toni Caviezel, artist, born in 1964, died in 2025, Hirschengasse 10, Appenzell, well known in the town.  
    
The house and its contents were bequeathed to the Pastor Sieber Social Welfare Foundation. The car is standing on flat tyres in a garage full of junk, and the property is to be cleared.
The Vauxhall Owners Club, represented by me, is interested in the vehicle from a historical perspective, as it is one of only three still in existence. Another is a pile of rust waiting to be resurrected, while the third belongs to the Post Museum in Schwarzenburg. Around 200 of these fourgons are said to have been built, but only three remain.

We could arrange for the vehicle to be removed and stored for the time being. What happens next is still completely open – restoration or demolition. The latter would be a shame.
I estimate that restoring it to a roadworthy condition would cost at least £35,000, so there is no question of capital investment or return on investment.
The Vauxhall Owners Club has no money, so sponsors would be needed. (Culture fund, lottery fund, Post Office, Transport Museum?)

These cars were built between 1949 and 1951 at GM Biel using Bedford PC 6cwt chassis and front body parts from the then new L models, including a 2.3-litre engine.
The small Bedford PC 6cwt delivery vans still had the front parts of their predecessor, the Vauxhall H, with 1.2-litre engines from before the war.
The rear bodywork, from the higher windscreen and doors onwards, was supplied by third parties, e.g. Carrosserie Tüscher, Zurich, or, as in the case of the Appenzell vehicle, Carrosserie Sécheron, Geneva. In other words, a typical ‘Swiss finish’ solution.

The roof and doors are made of sheet steel with crank windows, and the rear side panels are probably aluminium. The battery is located on the left under the seat, where two klaxons are usually found.
Addition from Oldiruedi: it is likely that an engine overhaul was started on the car in Appenzell, but then abandoned when it was discovered that the engine block had a crack. Since then, the car has been sitting in this garage, thankfully in a dry place. So we might need another engine.

On Friday, 26 September 2025, my friend and neighbour Thomas ‘Harti’ Hartmann (PFT Car) and I were able to view the vehicle. We agreed on a purchase price of CHF 500.-, paid in cash, with the foundation's financial administrator, Mr Karbach. They are happy to get rid of it and know that it is in good hands and will be preserved. 

Due to space constraints, the recovery will be somewhat complicated. The car is standing on flat tyres just below a staircase against the wall, so it cannot be lifted. The garage door leads to a small forecourt that was sold to the neighbour years ago. He rents it out as a parking space. This space must therefore be cleared for the recovery. We will drive the car out on the wheels of my LIP, which has been jacked up in the meantime, and refurbish the rims that belong to it, get tyres, and only then can I have my wheels back. So, lift it at the front, mount the wheels, and then use a winch to pull the car out until the rear is clear of the stairs. Then mount the rear wheels and load it up. Always hoping that the wheels will turn! Fortunately, Harti has a smaller flatbed trailer, as the large one would not fit into the alley next to the house. 

Since the car was stored in a dry place, there is the usual dirt found on a used car, but relatively little rust. Then it's off to be cleaned, repaired and rustproofed on the underbody and axles, the rims and the interior. Only then will we take care of the mechanics and electrics. The engine looks good on the outside, but we need to find out whether it still turns and whether the cylinder block is in good condition.

The condition of the brakes, seals, etc. is also still unclear. We are under no illusions. The oil stain under the right front suspension is suspicious. There are two types of Dubonnet suspensions, as with the lever shock absorbers. Either they are still tight and clean at the moment - or else.

The front doors have rust holes at the bottom edge from rainwater coming in through the window slots, as well as along the underside of the body. The spare wheel and boxes containing various parts are in the boot. We haven't been able to look at them yet due to lack of space. The Vauxhall emblems on the bonnet and steering wheel are obviously missing; perhaps they have been put aside. The indicators are defective. The instruments appear to be complete. The cabin interior looks very nice. 

Who will ultimately restore and drive the vehicle is still very much open. I'll start with my friends.    As of 27 September 2025,  Hans

We were able to pick up the vehicle on 9 October. The recovery went as planned, and fortunately all the wheels turned. We put the car on the wheels and tyres of my LIP and were able to pull it out of its dungeon and onto the flatbed trailer with a winch. We stowed the original wheels in the cargo area and headed off to Thurgau.

We learned from neighbours that Toni Caviezel had pretty much given up on the car a long time ago, saying he was more the woodworking than metal type. The Vauxhall was never registered in Appenzell. Will we still be able to find the vehicle documents? Otherwise, we'll have to start searching the authorities. 

Our grandson Sandro helped our friend Harti tighten the wheel bolts. Then off to Amriswil for a nice lunch with Harti, his son Reece and Sandro. 

A first glance from below – the rust could be much worse. Now the vehicle will be cleaned first, and then we'll see what it really looks like. 
It would be even better if the engine could be turned over or even run.