New to Devon
William begins life with William’s Ice Cream.
One van · fifty years of stories
The long road back.
Built in 1972, working in Devon and eventually rescued after around four decades off the road.
William’s story
William was built with a specialist Morrison Whitby ice cream body and supplied new in 1972 to William’s Ice Cream in Devon. He later passed to Helsett Ice Cream before being laid up and disappearing from working life.
In 2021 he surfaced with a seized engine and extensive body deterioration. Mrs Dowsons purchased him in 2023 with an ambitious plan: preserve the character, rebuild the structure and return a rare working ice cream van to the road.
Helsett Ice Cream
A second chapter in Devon before retirement.
Off the road
Stored and unused for an estimated four decades.
Rescued
Purchased by Mrs Dowsons and restoration begins.
Back on the road
Structural, mechanical and paint work completed.
The restoration team
Rebuilt by skilled hands.
Bills Garage, Salford
Chassis and structural restoration.
Mechanical rebuild
Careful work to return William’s running gear to service.
Bath Street Garage, Nelson
Paintwork returning the van to its original character.