Museum team restore rare 1950s bread cart made in Wolverhampton
A rare 1950s electric bread cart has been restored by a museum and will be on show at an event later this week.
Black Country Living Museum's transport team successfully restored the pedestrian-controlled electric vehicle back to its former glory and it will be used around its 26-acre site during a Festival of Vehicles event at the weekend.
The museum boasts a small team of skilled volunteers and staff, responsible for taking care of a vast collection of heritage transport, including the world’s largest collection of Black Country manufactured vehicles.
Acquired by the museum in 2019, the 'Graiseley' – an electric vehicle designed for use in deliveries – was made by Diamond Motors Ltd in Wolverhampton in 1950.
Pedestrian controlled electric vehicles such as these were a common sight around towns and cities in the mid-20th century, being used by dairies, bakeries and grocers, as well as in factories, where the Graiseley provided a fumeless, noiseless and economical form of transport.
Believed to be one of only three such vehicles surviving, it was discovered in Sidcup, south London, where it had been used by the grocery shop of A.G Braddon during the 1950s and 60s.
This particular vehicle provided a means of transporting bread and cakes from their off-site bakery to their shop on a high street located about a quarter of a mile away.
When inspected, it was found to be largely complete, although derelict and in need of a total restoration.
Over the last two years, work has been quietly progressing on replacing rotten woodwork, overhauling mechanical components and rewiring life-expired electrics by a small team of talented volunteers.
At the same time, refurbishment of the motor, reverse engineering of drive sprockets and structural bodywork was carried out by specialist contractors.
Now complete, the plan is to demonstrate the pedestrian-controlled truck around the museum’s 26-acre site.
Museum transport manager Tim Shields said “Small electric delivery vehicles such as the Graiseley cart were the unsung heroes of their day.
"After being found in such poor condition, it is great to see this rare historic survivor back on the road, demonstrating a green transport technology, now over 70 years old."
Visitors will be able to witness the Graiseley in action, during the BCLM’s Festival of Vehicles event, taking place on Saturday and Sunday.
To learn more, visit bclm.com/festival-of-vehicles
