In June 1956, the British Motor Corporation introduced a new 15cwt forward control van range, initially sold as the Morris J2 or Austin 152Omnivan, with a different front panel fitted to each. The Morris versions had a taller, pear-shaped grille with vertical bars, while the Austins had a lower, wider grille with horizontal bars. From 1965, however, the latter style was standardised across both Austin and Morris versions.
BMC were apparently inspired by the design of the German Ford FK1000 van that had been introduced in 1953, buying one for evaluation and testing during the development of the J2. There is a slight passing resemblance between the two vans, particularly the single side-hinged rear door, the same 7ft 6in (2.28m) wheelbase, ribbed floor panels, and general construction principles.
The all-steel, chassisless monocoque body of the J2, with a single-piece curved windscreen, was something of an innovation compared to the previous
