Opperman/Thorneycroft low loader. 1950 ish

[plowmate]

I am trying to find a valuation for this now rather rare hybrid, Suggestions welcomed,
Being something of an Opperman enthusiast I am also interested in where to find information about the factory and products of S E Opperman which in its heyday employed over 500 people.

[andyfrost]

The simple solution is to put up on the well known auction site , that way you will find out what the current market is really like.

Andy.

[alan]

As you will have no doubt found, there is some information online about Opperman. However, it is a bit sketchy and there doesn’t seem to be much about the factory.

There are references to different addresses for Opperman. A new factory was built in 1939 at Sterling Corner, Borehamwood. This no longer exists and, from anecdotal evidence, I think it was where the current Morrisons Supermarket now stands. I have looked and cannot find any photographs of the factory, or info on how it operated.

Often there can be photographs on websites such as Francis Frith or Britain From Above, or even on local history websites and associated social media groups, but I cannot find any photographs of the factory!

The National Archives and the Museum of English Rural Life appear to have some company information.

https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/

There’s some info about their products on Graces Guide, but not a lot.

https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/S._E._Opperman

[plowmate]

Thank you Andy, that is a good suggestion
Robin

[alan]

I have poked around the internet to see what I can find about the buildings on Stirling Corner Borehamwood. I assume these were the Opperman premises – but if anyone knows differently then please correct me.

The Ordnance Survey maps show a building appeared at Stirling Corner in 1938 – Opperman started there in 1938/39. This building no longer exists as the Morrisons supermarket building has replaced it.

The same footprint of buildings is on a 1945 image.

Interestingly, the roundabout at Sterling Corner features in many films, presumably because the Elstree Studios are only 1.5 miles up the road and filming was done in this area. The buildings on this corner appear briefly in an episode of the 1958 detective series ‘Dial 999’ – I looked at the film and have a screenshot. Were these the Borehamwood Opperman premises?

Monty Python filmed the sketch “The 127th Upper Class Twit of the Year” on the sports field on the opposite side of the road to the buildings, but it’s too vague to see anything.

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[franktonpaget]

The MOTOCART was also marketed by Jack Olding & Co and also Transport Materials Supplies (London)Ltd who seemed to offer all sorts of body options from Milk delivery to Dustcart

[franktonpaget]

Try this image

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[plowmate]

Thankyou so much for finding out all this information about the factory of S E Opperman. I will add this to what I already know about them, their diverse range of products and innovative equipment.
The MOTOCART parts manual I have was from Transport Materials Supplies(London) Ltd. and is a useful reference book, every little item is listed with a part number and price.

[charlie]

Very interesting. I wonder how many, if any, of the milkfloat etc were sold? This would make a good article for our club magazine.

[aylestage]

Hi

I have a sales brochure from Opperman which details their range, I will try and scan it over to you

[aylestage]

I have some original information on the Opperman Motocart, I also have two original unrestored examples, with different bodies, if its any interest to you?

[Author]

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