In the past, an important part of the market for commercial vehicles was the municipal or local authority sector. These organisations had responsibility for such services as maintaining roads, street lighting, refuse collection and education. Some also maintained the fire brigades and ambulance services in their areas. Many towns and cities had their own municipally owned public transport, often initially comprising trams and then later trolleybuses or buses.

This gave rise to a range of specialist vehicles, at first horse-drawn and then steam and motorised. These encompassed road rollers to gully emptiers and dustcarts to mobile libraries. There were tower wagons to maintain street lighting and the overhead wiring for trams and trolleybuses. Many of these vehicles have survived to pass into preservation. The trams, trolleybuses, buses, fire engines and steam rollers will often display the name and livery of their original owner. However, other vehicles, such as vans and lorries, are rarely found preserved in their original condition, often having been modified or rebodied subsequently, so providing little clue as to their history.

Malcolm Batten presents a fascinating selection of images featuring a wide range of vehicles that have been operated by municipal authorities and then later preserved.