JNSN

In 1938, a year before the outbreak of war, Alan Jensen designed a commercial vehicle which was destined to become an icon of the English lorry trade. Although only four prototypes had been made by 1940, the Jensen Light Commercial became a big seller for the company after production resumed in 1946. With a frame made of special light alloys, it was a strong but lightweight carrier, much in demand by hauliers who wanted to get around the speed restrictions applying at the time to heavy commercial vehicles. The Jensen Light Commercial, also known as the JNSN for the cutaway panel which formed the radiator grille, was able to travel at 30 mph at a time when heavy vehicles were restricted to 20 mph, giving their operators a considerable advantage. They were powered by the Perkins P6 diesel motor, a stalwart of commercial road transport after the war. From 1948, a few passenger coaches were also made on a derivation of this chassis. Jensen built (or sold for bodying by other concerns) a total of 561 Light Commercials and 6 passenger coaches. Survivors are extremely scarce but Australia is home to one Light Commercial, the dropside truck pictured.