Vantastic! That's me back in 1950s

Sep 21 2007 By Tony Deeley, Birmingham Mail

GREAT grandfather John Wildgoose couldn't believe his eyes when he spotted a Birmingham Mail photograph of himself from half a century ago driving a Dudley Zoo van.

The article featured a recently-launched Corgi replica of the novelty vehicle to commemorate the zoo's 70th year.

John, aged 75, from Lower Gornal, contacted zoo staff to tell them about the Morris J2 van and his connections with the award-winning tourist attraction. He said: "I was really surprised to see that picture in the newspaper after all these years.

The vehicle was used to transport catering supplies around the site and was a head turner wherever we went.

"The animals around the top of the van were made of plywood and wobbled around as we drove. All the local kids used to love it. It was fitted out at a garage in Edgbaston and was a really unusual design."

John added: "I worked at the zoo as a driver/mechanic for two years and remember the BMC Driving Club coming up to the zoo to interview me about that van. I also drove it in the 1961 Quarry Bank annual fete procession as a publicity stunt.

"The Morris J2 van was one of four commercial vehicles on site at that time, alongside a three-ton Morris, a three-ton Austin and an A40, and was easily the most fun to drive."

Zoo chief executive Peter Suddock said: "John's memories of the van are really interesting and thanks to his phone call we now know a lot more about the history of the vehicle."

The limited edition model van in 1:43 scale, which retails at £20.99, is available from the zoo's Safari Shop or can be purchased online at www.dudleyzoo.org.uk