Classic Trucks, Wagons

[tyred]

I seen these when out and about on tour in Dumfries and Galloway.

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

With due regard to the Atkinson Borderer above, although that's an early 70's model

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/...iencing-life-and-hardships-1960s-lorry-driver

 

[Scottish Scrutineer]

View attachment 735194
I seen these when out and about on tour in Dumfries and Galloway.

That looks very tidy, especially considering it is now over 50 years old. I spent many hours of my misspent youth repairing these and shunting them in and out of the workshop. Most likely the Gardner 180LXB was connected to a 6-speed David Brown gearbox, and looks like it might be a Kirkstall rear axle on underslung springs (later ones had over-axle springs with helper springs). Almost certainly no power steering, it has the correct flat-spoked steering wheel, wipers were air operated and in period the mirrors were smaller.
We had one with a similar ballast box which was used as a recovery vehicle on trade plates. I drove it quite a few times on my car licence before I obtained my Class 1.

 

[tyred]

That looks very tidy, especially considering it is now over 50 years old. I spent many hours of my misspent youth repairing these and shunting them in and out of the workshop. Most likely the Gardner 180LXB was connected to a 6-speed David Brown gearbox, and looks like it might be a Kirkstall rear axle on underslung springs (later ones had over-axle springs with helper springs). Almost certainly no power steering, it has the correct flat-spoked steering wheel, wipers were air operated and in period the mirrors were smaller.
We had one with a similar ballast box which was used as a recovery vehicle on trade plates. I drove it quite a few times on my car licence before I obtained my Class 1.

It was a 180 Gardner as there is a badge on the front. I don't know much else about them. A bit before my time but I do remember a few around when I was young and they seemed to be liked by a local travelling fairground company who had a few of them on the road, even into the late 1990s or early 00s. I suspect they started out as tractor units but were stretched into long wheelbase rigids with a trailer on drag. It's questionable if they were strictly legal as they very long rigs.

It's the ergo cabbed AECs and Leylands I remember fondly as that's what my Dad ran when I was young, before they gave way to Hino HEs and then Volvos.

 

[tyred]

The AEC 760 engine from my Dad's final Mammoth Major was bought and used to drive a local sawmill which it did for maybe 20 years until they went out of business.

 

[raleighnut]

The Atkinson 'Borderer' and AEC 'Mandator' were always popular 'Showmans' tractor units, often fitted with a generator set on the back to provide weight over the driving wheels and pulling the ride on a drawbar often with the living van on the back again on a drawbar so both 'trailers had steering. There are severe restrictions on when they can be on the move much like 'heavy haulage' rigs which is why you'd rarely see them leave the site,Often off in the early hours they'd have to pull over if the journey was long or mechanical issues arose then continue when time limits permitted.

 

[DRM]

With due regard to the Atkinson Borderer above, although that's an early 70's model

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/...iencing-life-and-hardships-1960s-lorry-driver

No mention of candles in a biscuit tin to act as a rudimentary heater, the joy's of roping and sheeting,lighting a fire under the diesel tank to get rid of the wax, also non of this fully luxury sleeper cab nonsense, nights away involved a guest house!

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

Friday 5th

New edition
Gulf petrol station
Saville Road
Castleford

(picked up after Doris had been to Vets for post-op check-up)

 

[biggs682]

A re powered Route master spotted on this morning's walk.
I am aware of quite a few of these were repowered with Cummins 6b's about 20 years ago but presumably this has been done more recently.

 

[raleighnut]

A re powered Route master spotted on this morning's walk.
I am aware of quite a few of these were repowered with Cummins 6b's about 20 years ago but presumably this has been done more recently.

View attachment 736616

View attachment 736617

Still no excuse to park on the chuffin pavement

 

[biggs682]

Still no excuse to park on the chuffin pavement

Very true

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

‘Little & Large’?

Review of ‘Truckfest - Lincoln’
‘Truck & Driver’ magazine (Summer edition)



Many years ago (90-92?), l had a Bedford Rascal, but a van
It was a bike-carrier/changing room/canteen
Scary as hell in wet roundabouts & on the m/way

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

Friday 26th

New edition
Gulf petrol station
Saville Road
Castleford

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

'Trucker Tim' inspires new drivers


View: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-england-cambridgeshire-62152901

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

I found this, whilst looking for a song for 'The Chain' thread
There is a replica in the UK, which is correct even down to the (blue) first-aid kit on top of the dashboard & the thickness of the cabling to the trailer-lights!
The same guy also has a Kenworth W900 'Snowman' replica, with fully painted trailer, I've seen it at 'TruckFest'
(he also now owns the Freightliner from the Kurt Russell film 'Big Trouble In Little China')



View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnwI2-rABmI