BigLorryBlog

The Dodge is I think an FC10 model, we got those with the 360 V8 petrol but probably a Perkins 6-354 in the UK. The green one is a Commer Karrier or Bantam.

I think we called those Dodges, which used the same cab as the Leyland Comet of the time, a 300 series, but I don't know if that was the proper name for them in the UK. The ones we had here all had the Perkins engine as far as I remember.

And, although I would never think of arguing with Pete about Atkinsons (well, maybe I might!) the other truck is a Commer, not a Karrier or Bantam. You can't have a Commer Karrier or a Commer Bantam although I know some countries did mix up all the names a bit - in NZ almost all the Commer models were also sold as Karriers; the Commers were sold through the Hillman dealers and the Karriers were sold through the Humber dealers.

However, that one is a genuine Commer, which must have the wonderful TS3 motor as I'm sure that is a Rootes Diesel badge on the door. By the way, who knows where the TS3 name comes from? I used to presume it stood for Two Stroke 3 cylinder, which seemed logical, but have since found out that I was wrong about that.

The Commer looks smaller than full size but maybe you are right Vic, I had better ring the pie shed and order up. TS stood for Tilling Stevens, who were taken over by Rootes group.

Those Commers were actually quite small, although I don't remember thinking so at the time when they were new. There is one in immaculate condition that is still used occasionally here and the first thing I think every time I see it on the road is "I never realised they were that small"; the cab looks tiny. You are of course right about Tilling Stevens, so there's a pie I owe you.

Rod Simmonds has just emailed me to say that the roof of his warehouse was damaged by a tornado today and he is urgently looking for volunteers to help him unpack containers in the weekend. If you wanted to get on a plane to Auckland tonight I could probably talk Rod into buying you a pie for lunch!

The Dodge is fitted with what is know as the 'LAD' cab (Leyland, Albion, Dodge) and is, I believe, still in commercial use. I saw it out and about earlier this year. Squinting at the pic, it looks like it has an O licence disc on display.

Guys

Arrowsmith’s vehicle is a Dodge D308 and it’s operated by a very long-term family friend of mine, Mac Arrowsmith. It’s got a Perkins Fraser 210 diesel (although Mac tells everyone it’s a 180!), a 6-speed Eaton gearbox (no.91137114) driving through a two speed Eaton rear axle. The lorry was new to Alf. Arrowsmith & Son (and Mac himself) in May 1963, but didn’t actually go into service until the following month. And the mileage? Mac says it’s 80,000 short of two million! The cab has been restructured three times, the last time was by local master craftsman Cedric Hand, who built the front curves out of an old petrol pump. It’s not (as some believe) a showpiece, as Mac still uses ‘VT’ three days a week to haul cattle to and from local farms and livestock markets.

Tom

I think the LAD cab was made by Motor Panels or Sankeys wasnt it? Albion got the better long door version of that cab.
Would love to come over and help Rod Simmonds but have to fly to the UK and show them how to use load binders.

The LAD cabs were made by Motor Panels, I think. Leylands also used the Albion type "long door" version, with the front step in front of the wheel covered by the door, on most of their models except the Comet and Super Comet.

I think Rod might step up his offer to two pies if you came out here to help him instead of going off to educate the UK guys!

We featured the Arrowsmith Dodge around 1994 in Truck magazine's Soldiering On column when we thought it was worth a write up seeing that it was over 30 years old. It's great to see that it's still going strong.
Have just done a feature on the Commer TS3 so will send a separate e mail and snaps.

I don.t know when "Ratty", took that picture of DX08NEV, the Blue ESL Scania,or whether it is still blue; but there is one point of particular interest about that waggon.The NEV bit relates to Neville Jackson, who has driven for the company for 30 years, having started with Edward Stobart in the early days of the company, when Edward was starting to build it up.One can safely assume that this is one of the ways that the company is saying thanks to him for his efforts on their behalf. I know Neville well. He is worthy of the honour.