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Those little yellow vans
As RAC's Roadside Assistance celebrates its 100th anniversary, a former Patrol is reunited with his old patrol van.
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As RAC's Roadside Assistance celebrates its 100th anniversary, a former Patrol is reunited with his old patrol van.
Published
4 min read
Text size
Published
Text size
When you think of Western Australia, it’s beaches, sunsets, barbeques with mates, and that friendly wave on a road trip that stand out. But just as iconic is the relief of seeing a yellow van heading your way when you need it most.
The RAC Roadside Assistance vehicle is recognised in many forms by West Aussies, whether it’s the modern Mercedes, the classic Cortina or to those who know their history, even a motorcycle. But often considered the most iconic of all is the bright yellow Ford Escort Van that served WA as part of the RAC fleet for more than 20 years.
One such Ford Escort, a 1981 model with a striking yellow exterior and the ever-iconic RAC light adorning its white roof, is resting neatly in the WA Motor Museum in Whiteman Park. It is the last of the RAC Ford Escort vans that served as roadside assistance vehicles and in its day, this particular one was driven by Alan Vane, a Patrol who spent decades on the road helping Western Australians get moving again.
Seeing the Escort again for the first time in four decades was a moment that instantly transported Alan back to the rhythm of Patrol life in the early 1980s. It’s been around 40 years since he last stepped out of the driver’s seat, yet his familiarity with the vehicle remains.
For Alan, the Escort is not simply a museum piece – it’s a reminder of the countless kilometres travelled across Perth’s suburbs, the variety of people met along the way, and the quiet satisfaction that came from solving problems on the spot.
Alan recalls what it was like back then when Patrols received callouts. “A job would come through on the radio. I’d write it down on my notepad and then get my street directory out. Once I worked out where I was going, I went, with the tools rattling in the back.”
Without complex electronics or diagnostic tools, Patrols relied on mechanical understanding, experience, and at times a bit of creative thinking.
Alan recalls the types of fixes that would sound unusual today but eventually found their way into Perth’s motoring folklore.
If a fan belt failed and a replacement wasn’t immediately available, a temporary solution could be fashioned to get the driver moving again.
Despite the decades that have passed, one callout has remained remarkably consistent: flat batteries. Alan recalls attending countless battery-related breakdowns throughout his career, often providing quick reassurance to drivers unsure of what had gone wrong.
Being a Patrol doesn’t just require technical skill but also an ability to put people at ease in stressful moments. Even today, battery issues remain among the most frequent reasons Patrol vehicles are dispatched, highlighting how some aspects of motoring never truly change.
Beyond the mechanical know-how, it was the presence of the Patrol itself that left a lasting impression on Western Australians. The bright yellow vehicle, the flashing amber safety lights and the unmistakable RAC uniform became symbols of reassurance on the roadside.
Alan still remembers the uniform well, neatly presented, complete with a clip-on tie - a small but meaningful detail that reflected the professionalism expected of Patrols, even when the job required crawling under vehicles or working in the heat of the WA sun. That too without any air conditioning in the old Escort.
Patrol life was about more than repairs though; sometimes the job simply required lending a hand - quite literally. Alan recalls occasions where pushing a stranded vehicle to safety was just as important as fixing it. Whether helping a young family continue a long-awaited holiday or assisting a nervous driver late at night, Patrols often arrive at moments of genuine stress or uncertainty.
“You were often meeting people on a bad day,” Alan reflects, “so being able to fix the problem and see the relief on their face, that was always the rewarding part.”
As Alan stands, smiling next to the Escort once again, 40 years after handing over its keys and 22 years after retirement, it serves as a reminder that while vehicles and technology continue to evolve, the spirit of RAC’s Roadside Assistance remains unchanged.
For the past 100 years, the sight of an RAC Patrol has meant the same thing: help is here, and you’ll be back on the road soon.
