Welcome to a celebration of Vehicle Recovery in the United Kingdom. Here you will find out, how the industry was formed, as well as reading the recollections of some of those involved. There is also a large collection of Pictures and Videos, of Recovery Vehicles, Recovery Operators and the Incidents they dealt with.

The 'History of Vehicle Recovery' section deals with the emergence of the Motoring Organisations (or Clubs), like the AA, RAC and National Breakdown. Plus the formation of today's multimillion pound Breakdown, Rescue and Recovery industry. It also deals with Crane and Towing equipment manufactures and the Recovery Operator's Associations like AVRO and The RRRA.

The Picture Galleries display both Vintage Commercial Vehicles and the very latest in modern 'Wreckers' There are also specialised image sections dealing with one recovery company's vintage fleet (National Rescue) and one showing some of the many vehicles built or modified to recover Bus and Coaches. Lastly, there is a small but growing video section.
The difference between Vehicle Breakdown and Recovery equipment over the years is obvious when you compare protective clothing, as worn by most modern recovery operators, with the older RAC uniform

The Old and the New, Part of the RISC UK display at the CSMA's Cotswold Motoring Museum, in 2007.

The recovery vehicle above, comes from the thirties and belongs to Dorking Autos. The Sixties RAC uniform is in stark contrast to the modern protective clothing, as worn by McAllister's Recovery and most recovery operators today.

Many of the differences of the last fifty years, are not so obvious. You will however, have a much better understanding of them, if you explore this website and see how it all came about.

RED BEACONS FOR BREAKDOWN AND RECOVERY VEHICLES E-PETITION (Expires 2013)