BT Vehicles - The (Grey) Piper Fleet
...listening and speaking
BT Vehicles - The Grey Fleet

The Grey Fleet was introduced in April 1991 as part of BT's new corporate image.

The Leyland DAF utility (opposite) sports a much faded grey, although the white BT Piper is still visible on the side. A modern Openreach Ford Transit (BX07) can be seen to the rear.


Photo: BT Leyland DAF S696 UOA © LSA November 2007
| EXIT | The Piper Fleet | Paint Colours |
Introduction

In April 1991, to reflect its potential worldwide market, BT became the new trading name of British Telecommunications plc. The government no longer had any (significant) financial holding in BT, but the company had to trade within the guidelines set out by the (then) regulatory body OFTEL (OFfice of  TELecommunications) which was appointed by the government. The new (now familiar) 'Piper' logo symbolised the 'listening and speaking' concepts of communication.

The Piper Fleet

See the BT Fleet in more detail below...

"BT’s piper is a living message carrier or communicator with a very real human purpose. The symbol has a hint of heraldry which gives it nobility and a sense of history."
The Grey Fleet
Three in a row. A Leyland DAF centre with Ford Transits front and rear.


Photo: Holborn, London © LSA July 2000
 
Ford Transit
The BT Ford Transit
Ford has supplied Transit vans to BT since 1986, although contracts with Post Office (Telecommunications) predate this. This BT Ford Transit one-tonne utility has custom made Anglian bodywork fitted out by Papworth.



Photo © Light Straw Archive 1999.
Land Rover  
Land Rover
Land Rovers have a long history of association with Post Office (Telecommunications) for remote and specialist duties.



Photo BT Piper Land Rover H193 TWR © David Cott.
Leyland DAF 45
Leyland DAF 45
The Leyland DAF 45 utility used for cabling operations.



Photo BT Piper Leyland DAF 45 V756 KOA © David Cott.
Paint Colours

These are shown as a starting point for further research...

The British Standard colour for the grey Piper Fleet is unknown, but is commonly referred to as 'Telecom Grey'. Specific examples reside in the car manufacturers' paint codes, which vary according to the year and model.

N.B. Owners of ex-telecom vehicles are recommended to get a colour match from a paint sample rather than rely on these codes.

Ford

Telecom Grey is purportedly ICI reference YV81, but some vehicles were delivered in Ford Telecom Grey (ICI reference BA79) which is a different shade.

Land Rover

Non-metallic paint code 527 Telecom Grey 91-91 LRC.527

Vauxhall

661/84L,91U: British Telecom [BT] Grey (99-)

More details
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