The Legacy of the Department 56 Van
The founder of our company, Edward Bazinet, loved anything and everything British … including vehicles with steering wheels on the right. When he got the idea to have a model of a British delivery van built to promote Department 56, he insisted that it be authentic right down to how the vehicle was driven.
Starting with a Chevy Geo chassis, our Village van was modeled after a 1929 Morris Minor Delivery van. It was a 2/3 scale model complete with leather seats and a British sounding horn -- A-U- Ga! It was exciting when it first rolled up to the front of our office building back in 1992. And much like the flag flying above the castle when the King is in residence, back in the 1990s whenever Department 56 hosted an open house, the Village Express Van was parked out in front.
This one-of-a-kind van had its own parking spot and was protected with a fitted dust cover so it could always be rolled out in pristine condition. It went “on the road” several times, crisscrossing the country on a flatbed trailer to appear at many collectible expositions. I can’t imagine how many of you took pictures with it!
The iconic van quickly became a fan favorite, so it seemed only fitting to introduce it in a “village-sized” version with working wheels. Over our 50-year history, we have designed 33 different versions. The very first was British green with the Department 56 logo painted in gold on each side like the original.
Several were done in black that had custom logos for larger retail partners who opted to sell the van in their stores like this one shown here made for St. Nick’s, Littleton, CO.
We offered a gold one to IPO investors when the company went public in 1992, a silver colored one in 2001 when we celebrated our 25th anniversary, and most recently, a ruby colored van for the company’s 40th anniversary in 2016.
To celebrate our 50th anniversary, we’re continuing a beloved tradition with a very special commemorative van. While a gold van had already made its debut in previous years, this milestone called for something that honors where it all began. The 50th Anniversary van pays tribute to the original black van, a nostalgic nod to our earliest days. The design features crisp white snowflakes inspired by our very first Village, The Original Snow Village, creating a timeless winter look. Along the side panels, our distinctively designed 50th anniversary logo appears in elegant gold, adding a celebratory touch to the classic black finish. Turning the piece over reveals another special detail collectors will appreciate — a limited-edition anniversary bottom stamp created exclusively for this milestone year.
Whether placed on a snowy street corner or parked beside a favorite Village building, this commemorative van is designed to fit beautifully into any Village display. As a meaningful piece of Department 56 history, it’s sure to be one you’ll want to place at the very top of your 2026 wish list.
Melinda Seegers
Ms. Lit Town