Regular Biglorryblog contributor 'Two-Stroke' writes: "Being a mere nip of a boy when the N12 was about, Ollie Dixon's N12 featured in his BLB pictures from Iran etc is certainly interesting as it's not what you'd call a 'pure bred' Swedish N12---like the one from Mr Hammond's fine collection." Pictured below....
Two-Stroke goes on to say that the Iranian 'N12' is nought but an imposter: "It’s a US truck with an N12 grille done very tidily - but is it a White or even a Freightliner after that short association Volvo had with them in the late 1970s. However, it could have Volvo connections as it may have a TD120 engine...Or is it a Middle East 'special' based on a merger that was still waiting in the wings with Mack? Is there a brochure on it? If there is then I know a man who'll have one..."
Nice call, Two Stroke. Martin Phippard and I have been debating the origin of this truck since it appeared on the Blog. Neither of us can place it exactly, but the best we can come up with is the probability that it was produced locally by the Iran Kaveh company. They are Tehran based and started producing Macks under license in 1964. By the early 1980's relations had become a little strained with the "Great Satan", and the company started producing Volvo "F" models instead. I reckon the "N12" looks very much like a Volvo/Mack highbrid from about 25 years ago.
Unfortunately I have no brochure on these trucks, my begging letters to Iranian manufacturers not having met with any luck over the years!
It might be worth having a look through the Iranian OEM Saipa Diesel's archives. Saipa is a key Volvo partner - and produces many of the Volvo-badged products seen in the Middle East.
Whether or not this relationship played a part in AB Volvo's decision to delist from the US NASDAQ exchange is unclear, and it would be wrong to speculate on this today, when AB Volvo's less than stellar results were announced.
BTW BLB, many thanks for the image of what appears to be a G290 Renault. On the plus side, it's in New Zealand and therefore a long way away. On the negative, Pluto would be too close for what must be regarded as the ultimate automotive aberration. The '80's threw up a lot of crap, but the G290 demonstrated just how bad a truck could be.
I think I have seen this picture before in a magazine. As far as I know, this truck has been modified by it's owner. It's a old truck with a new front. The volvo badges are from a '80 or '90 volvo. Not from a '70 version.
The factory in Iran did build the N. But the original one.
Definitely looks like a 1970's/early 80's Western Star hood and possibly cab also...
(Just been looking through the archives...)