Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2022 i Classic & Vintage Commercials

The launch of the new A-series took place at the 1970 Earls Court Show where two examples were on display.Because the biggest news was in the chassis design, ERF decided to exhibit abarechassis -an84GXB with the impressive Gardner ‘straight eight’ 8LXB which had itself just been introduced. It was an effective way of putting over the new chassis technology for the technically minded. The 240bhp 8LXB, Fuller RTO.909A overdrive ninespeed gearbox and Kirkstall D85-10-2 hub-reduction rear axle were revealed in all their gloryaswere the new frame construction and suspension. Also on show in 1970 was arather more unusual tractor unit designed specifically for the UK’s anticipated 38 tonne limit which, as history shows, did not come about for another thirteen years. This took the formofa6x4 but with lightweight rear axles…

We’re admiring Peterborough Volunteer Fire Brigade’s immaculately preserved 1970 Dennis F45, which with its gleaming red paint, big silver roof mounted bell and gold lettering, sitting in its station. It’s quickly pointed out that the vehicle is officially awater tender,with 400gallon tanks and an eight-cylinder Rolls Royce engine which… Then suddenly aloud bell, not attached to the vehicle, rings… There’s awell-rehearsed scramble and aminute or two later the flashing blue lights of aScania fire appliance are reflected in the Dennis’s paintwork as Peterborough Volunteer Fire Brigade (PVFB) members rush off another call. This time it’s aroad accident, the latest of countless incidents in this unique organisation’s138-year history. There are myths to shatter,and although the organisation’sname may suggest ateam of gentlemen with brass helmets riding around like Will Hay, Moore Marriott…

Pretty-much since the beginning of motorised transport, showmen have been major recylers of old lorries, and thanks to good maintenance and relatively low annual mileages, many lorries that are timeexpired for road haulage go on to enjoy long second lives. What’s more, many of today’s preserved vehicle owe their survival to time spent in fairground, showland or circus ownership. So we thought it was about time that we paid tribute to this aspect of lorry ownership, by means of a new occasional series. Rules for inclusion are simple –atleast 15 years old (but the older the better) and still in regular use with a travelling showman or similar.And obviously,photos must have been taken in publicly-acessible places or, if not, with the owner’s specific permission. Send contributions to the usual addresses;…

From the origins of the articulated Scammell at the end of WW1 via the expansion to Watford and subsequent off-road models and the rigids including rubber-suspended eight wheelers, Oliver Danson North (1887-1968) was chief designer. He found time to create the revolutionary North Lucas five-cylinder radial engine car in the KLG spark plug works in 1923 and then dreamed up an ingenious walking beam tandem in 1927. He converted aNapier concept into the successful Mechanical Horse as well as creating the pioneer one hundred tonner. North’s overhead valve 7.1 litre four-cylinder petrol engine and sixspeed constant mesh gearbox with dog engagement was afeature of many models for the next 30 years, as were his bevel axles with double reduction epicyclic gearing first seen in 1933. These were virtually indestructible and…

This month’s cover-feature restoration is remarkable on four counts. The first is obvious from the photos – this 1980 Ford D-Series 7½ tonner is an extremely high-quality job and absolutely stunning. It’s also all the more remarkable as this is the owning family’s first-ever lorry restoration. Now, just take a look at the inset photo – this one was Bad with a capital B when they started! But there’s a fourth aspect of this project, and this one which is really the key to the other three, and the reason why this particular lorry, despite being in scrap condition when bought, wasrestored, over 12 years, into the splendid example that we see today. But to find out more, we need to first look at a little family history, a history…

History plays an important part in all our lives. History isn’tjust about the Magna Carta and the Roman Empire; it’shappening here and now.Transport history,for instance, goes on being made and each decade that passes adds something to our rich transport heritage. Whether it’sthe 1950s, 1960s or the 1990s we can all enjoy looking back at the past. Here goes then –enjoy!…

JORDANIAN CONSTRUCTORS I was looking at the pictures of the Scammell dumpers in the August issue of our magazine and the photos of the Mountaineers and the one Constructor stirred memories. I spent some time in Jordan with the Army Tank Transporter engineers and operators to develop and fit a replacement brakes system on the Crane trailers. The request came from the Army,who had already done their homework regarding the feasibility of converting the powerful but difficult Girling two leading shoe wedge brakes to a more common S-cam arrangements. Conversion kits were designed and made up at Crane Fruehauf in Dereham and shipped out for fitment. The kit parts fitted well, and the brakes worked. The Colonel in charge loved his Constructors. Despite having a fleet of Contractors the Constructors…

It’s November1966and ateenage Jim Richardson was told by his dad John to go outside to wash and polish the Morris J4 van that was used by the Richardson family’s ironmongery business. Young Jim was abit unenthusiastic about this and did the job quite hurriedly. Unsurprisingly, it wasn’tgood enough for his dad, so he had to go and do it again. Once he was satisfied, Dad told Jim to jump in as they were going for a drive. They pulled up outside Stewart & Ardern’sMorris dealership in London Road, Staines. Incidentally, Stewart&Ardern Ltd., who had been selling Morris cars since 1913, had become the largest distributor of Morris products in Great Britain. Most of their depots were named ‘Morris House.’ Soon it became clear why Jim’sdad made him do such a…

Cheffins held their traditional July vintage auction at their Cambridgeshire machinery saleground just off the A141 near Ely on July 23, and as usual there were several classic commercial vehicles among the tractors and associated rural ephemera. All hammer prices were plus Cheffins modest 6% Buyer’s Premium and plus VATonthe premium only – none of the lots listed was plus VAT. Top seller price-wise in the lorry section was, unsurprisingly, 1965 Scammell Highwayman CYK601C, chassis number 17073 –is this an ex Shell petroleum tractor unit? Owned at one time by Halls Funfair, the Leyland 680 Powerplus-engined Highwayman had been the subject of a full restoration into a ballast box and was said to be –and was –in A1 condition throughout. There was strong demand of course, and the bidding finally…

The Llandudno Transport Festival made awelcome returnto the rally calendar over the early May Bank Holiday weekend, with the usual tremendous display of commercials on display.Despite mixed weather conditions, the two traditional road runs took place with many vehicles taking the opportunity to parade around the town and The Great Orme.…

Ford’s D-Series range of forwardcontrol lorries was launched in 1965, to try and claw back market share from the Bedford TK. It catered for loads from 2tons to 18 tons and including SWB tractor units for semitrailers. Alot was riding on it being successful, as the American parent company decreed that if it wasn’t, then Ford of Britain would withdraw from the commercial vehicle market. Fortunately,itwas. Initially,2to8-ton payload versions were released, with the load capacity indicated by the number after the letter D, so aD200was a2-tonner, aD300 a3-tonneretc. The next phase was for trucks from 15 to 28 tons gross, all designated D1000. Heavier versions had wider wheelarches. Atipping cab was offered –something the TK didn’t have, even though Matchbox modelled one that did! Anew model identification system arrived in…