Oxford Diecast 76SHP011

Royal Mail Sherpa Van

Manufacturer catalogue image - please note that pre-release images may be CAD renders or CGI/AI images rather than photographs

Prototype Eras
Era 6 (1967 to 1972) British Rail Blue (Pre-TOPS)
Era 7 (1972 to 1982) British Rail Blue (TOPS)
Era 8 (1983 to 1994) British Rail Sectorisation
Era 9 (1995 to 2004) Initial Privatisation

Manufacturer description

The Leyland Sherpa van was manufactured between 1974 and 1982. Apparently, it was originally designed to be built on the car production line, which meant it had a narrow back. On a positive note, this feature enabled it to negotiate narrow city streets - and in the case of our Welsh model, perhaps narrow country lanes as well! It was launched initially as the Leyland Van but in 1975, the name was changed to Leyland Sherpa. The first examples consisted of vans of 1.85, 2.15 and 2.40 tons. In 1978, the 1.7 and 2.0 litre engines replaced the original 1622cc and 1798 cc petrol units and the range was redesignated as 200, 230 and 250. Our example is classed as the SHERPA 200, which appears on the rear of the model. The Sherpa proved to be very versatile too as its bodyshape lent itself for use as crewbuses and minibuses, as well as various chassis-cab options. Its large load space was also an advantage for small commercial van operators.

A special piece of free publicity for Leyland came in 1977 when the Sherpa had its moment of movie fame in The Spy Who Loved Me when it was chosen as the vehicle driven by the baddie Jaws across the Sahara Desert. Needless to say, James Bond was not far behind - in fact he was hiding in the back!

Our 1:76 scale model Sherpa is employed at the Reading Post Office depot, No. 5080294, registered KUF 293P from 1975/76. The Royal Cipher with Crown features colourfully on the side panels of our van with Royal Mail printed boldly in gold and black above. The depot details are printed in black on the cab doors. External trims are mostly silver with some black to the windscreen surrounds. The interior is also black. The radiator grille is silver wiped black, into which is embedded the Leyland name. The name also appears in the lower corner of the nearside rear door.

6cm long and comes on a plinth in a case.

Catalogue listing

Oxford Diecast Royal Mail Sherpa Van is a 1:76 scale die‑cast model produced by Oxford Diecast. It carries the manufacturer part number 76SHP011 and represents the Leyland Sherpa van in the British Rail Blue (TOPS) livery.

The Leyland Sherpa was built between 1974 and 1982, originally conceived for the car production line which gave it a narrow rear loading area suitable for tight urban streets and narrow country lanes. Initially launched as the Leyland Van, the name changed to Leyland Sherpa in 1975. Early versions were offered in 1.85‑, 2.15‑ and 2.40‑ton capacities; in 1978 the original 1622 cc and 1798 cc petrol engines were replaced by 1.7 L and 2.0 L units and the range was redesignated 200, 230 and 250. The model shown is the Sherpa 200. The vehicle was also used as a crew‑bus, minibus and in various chassis‑cab configurations, and gained brief film exposure in 1977 when it appeared in *The Spy Who Loved Me*.

The model depicts a van based at the Reading Post Office depot (number 5080294) registered KUF 293P for the period 1975/76. The Royal Cipher with Crown is printed in colour on the side panels, with “Royal Mail” in gold and black lettering. Depot details appear in black on the cab doors; external trims are mainly silver with black windscreen surrounds, and the interior is black. The silver radiator grille is wiped black and bears the Leyland name, also shown on the nearside rear door. The model measures approximately 6 cm in length, is mounted on a plinth and comes packaged in a protective case.