The Stevens Light Commercial Vehicle, a three wheeled van, was the first new machine developed after the company had been bankrupted by the Chairman of the Midlands Bank, Sir Bernard Docker, a man who drove a gold-encrusted limousine and who benefitted more than somewhat from the forced insolvency as he was also a director of BSA, the largest rival of AJS.
The van was based on a prototype built in 1921 which had two front wheels and one rear, using motorcycle front forks controlled by a steering wheel. It was powered by a water-cooled 588cc Stevens sidevalve engine.
The van bodies were from an external supplier. Early versions had a bench seat and no doors, with later versions having a saddle and two doors. The firm was still working on a very limited budget, so the vans were built in batches of six and when sold work on the next batch.
These vans were also built by Bowden of London with whom Stevens had a business relationship.
In 1935 a new model appeared with a drive shaft rather than chain. It had increased capacity, and was also available with as a flat-bed truck. >>>>>>>>>>>>
Sources:
https://www.oldbikemag.com.au/stevens-j-s/
http://www.historywebsite.co.uk/Museum/Transport/Motorcycles/ajs5.htm
