Drivers, passengers and pedestrians can shortly expect to see a bright new addition grace Malta's roads - MaltaPost's beautifully-converted 1965 Scammell Tractor will begin its new life as a vintage mobile post office on 30 May.

Following on from 24 months of dedicated restoration works, this vehicle is now in tip-top condition and has been purposely re-built - inside and out - to reflect the needs of MaltaPost's clients. It will be a one-stop-shop for the company's services, and will be scheduled to visit various locations throughout the week, including high-visibility tourist areas.

"This was an exciting project for MaltaPost," explains Joseph Gafá, CEO at MaltaPost plc. "As a company we are always looking at new ways to give our customers more, and this vintage mobile post office promises to do just that - providing a convenient service in a pleasant and historical setting."

The 1965 Scammell previously belonged to Simonds Farsons Cisk Ltd. Over the years this company used the tractor towing a variety of trailers for inner zone transport and local deliveries. The tractors were a popular and familiar sight in the 70s and 80s, and well-cared for by Farsons, but they eventually became less viable thanks to the more modern vehicles that became available.

With this in mind, MaltaPost took the opportunity and secured one of these attractive tractors. The transformation process was in the hands of experienced restorer and bus body builder Manuel Cutajar of Zinnu Bus & Coach Works. "We stayed very true to the original design," he says. "We took the structure and re-built it as new, giving it a beautiful bright red paint job to reflect its new role as a post office. Internally we made it as practical as possible, both for being driven around and for use as an office. It is kitted out with all the necessary facilities, including air-conditioning, lighting and computer points," Mr Cutajar adds.

Now, with the transformation complete, the 1965 Scammell is ready to start its new career. MaltaPost's Vintage Mobile Post Office will be officially inaugurated on 30 May 2012 outside the Law Courts in Valletta, as part of a ceremony attended by the Hon. Minister Austin Gatt and MaltaPost Chairman Joseph Said.

To further mark this occasion, MaltaPost's Philatelic Bureau will be issuing a personalised stamp/cover cover featuring the restored 1965 Scammell, and a Special hand postmark that will be used on 30th May at the Vintage Mobile PostOffice. Orders for this Special Hand Postmark may be placed online at www.maltaphilately.com or by mail from the Philatelic Bureau, MaltaPost p.l.c. 305, Triq Ħal Qormi, Marsa, MTP 1001 - Telephone 2596 1740 - e-mail: info@maltaphilately.com

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