I've recently been having an e-mail exchange with Mark Chalmers whose Dad was very helpful recently confirming that the trucks featured in 'Hell Drivers' were 'Dodge Kews' (not least as he drove one). Mark's Dad reckons it was very different to the Leyland Comet---which is often mistakenly thought to be the vehicle featured in the film. But I digress...Mark has sent me an e-mail with a real brain-teaser in it which goes thus: "Since I know you're a Foden fan [what gave you that idea Mark?] I've just finished reading 'Foden - A Pictorial History' by Peter Davies (highly recommended if you haven't already come across it) and the author notes that when Foden built its new factory at Sandbach in 1973 it was modelled on a Scania facility."
Well that's news to me...although I've heard some Foden purists dispute it was even in Sandbach! Anyway Mark goes on to say: "I was just wondering which one [Scania plant] it was, since Scania's website mentions several plants built in the late 60s and early 70s and it's one of those things that will keep gnawing away at my brain until I find out!"
Well gnaw no more Mark...BLB is on the case and handing the problem over to his trusty anorak army...Alright get fell in you idle lot and let's have some answers double-quick! (please).
And for an easy-peasy pie..what's wrong with the Foden picture I've used in this blog?
I never knew that the Foden factory (at Elworth for the purists!) was modelled on a Scania plant, but it was built by a company called MHS International Inc. and doubled Foden's capacity from 40 to 80 units a week.
The main feature of the new facility was a three line overhead conveyor system 279 metres long.
When I first visited the factory in 1978 I was amazed at the level of custom-building going on, it hardly seemed like an automated plant.
Its a pity they didn't model there trucks on scania's too they might still be here.
Very funny Barney - no really, very funny!
Thanks for posting that, Brian. What's wrong with the Foden picture I've used in this blog? It's the Leyland Trucks plant in Lancashire, rather than the Foden factory...
Thanks also to Richard for the interesting facts ... but I'm still curious about the Scania connection!
FODEN FACTORY
I've had this posting from John Salisbury( sent via gerald at tnn.co.uk) who says:
"HI, I DON'T KNOW WHICH SCANIA PLANT IT WAS MODELLED ON. BUT IT WAS APPARENTLY INSTALLED BY THE COMPANY THAT INSTALLED A SCANIA PLANT. AT THE TIME, THE SANDBACH FACTORY WAS SAID TO BE THE MOST MODERN VEHICLE ASSEMBLY PLANT IN EUROPE. AND THE PHOTO IS WRONG BECAUSE IT SHOWS THE LAST ALPHA COMING OFF THE ASSEMBLY LINE AT LEYLAND.REGARDS, JOHN.
I've had this comment posted via Gerald at tnn.co.uk
Posted by Gary Fynan at 03/12/2007 09:34 AM
A sad picture. My Dad drove Foden eight wheeler tippers in the sixties, and as a kid, I would often go with him. When I left school I worked for a Foden dealer. I will never forget the sound that the two stroke powered wrecker made. Later in life, as a driver, drove a Foden for a while.