Now here's something you don't see every day. A right-hand-drive Steyr (I think) 1831 or probably more likely a 1931 tractor. Imagine Biglorryblog's surprise finding this beauty upon turning up at the annual gathering of 'The Steel Boys' at Volvo's HQ at Warwick---prior to the quick blast down the M40 to the Gaydon old-timer truck show,.
The Steyr belongs to plant haulier Dave Lawrence of Uttoxeter although it's kept in a secret location (a barn somewhere in the West Country). Dave is as pleased as punch with it, as is Steve Evans who drove it--in fact they absolutely raved about it. And so did the previous owner who I met at Gaydon too---the larger-than-life Kevin Dennis of Skegness, who ran it for 14-months and who has no less than nine Roadtrains for sale! I'll blog on Kevin's trucks shortly.
I was under the distinct impression that UK tractors had the 12-litre Steyr engine and a ZF Ecosplit box....But Kevin insisted that the above vehicle had a 'long stroke' (his words) 14-litre rated at 310hp. It also had an Eaton Twin Splitter (which rings a bell as an alternative to the ZF).
What makes this particular tractor look so eye-catching is the fact that it's got the high-top sleeper. The normal height sleeper tractor just didn't look as, well, as good----as the high roof really accentuated the 'wedge' shape of the Steyr cab....
Here's a shot of the interior...the outside is pretty much done but the inside deserves a bit of a makeover. Still, considering how old it is (1988) Dave Lawrence deserves a pat on the back for keeping the old girl going....and in such fine fettle. I can't say I've seen one of these for yonks! (now click through here for more)
Here's a shot of it from the rear. Note the neat air intake installation--and that high top sleeper---you climb up into it like a sleeper pod. I'm sure I spent the night in one of these once for a Commercial Motor cab test--and rated it highly. It reminded me of the old original Daf Space Cab, not least in terms of build quality.
Many years ago, at about the same time as when Steyr was setting up in the UK with Cliff Groves at the helm (ex-Scania) I went over to Graz (Steyr's assembly plant) and drove one of these. At the time I was struck how 'driver friendly' it was. Moreover, at that time (the eighties) Steyr had a very impressive reputation for building their own low-emission, green diesels that were very economical. As I recall their engine guru was a guy named Francis Xavier Moser.
Anyway that's all from me for tonight...I'll blog more Gaydon tomorrow! And Richard, if you have anything on the Steyr tractor please send it in!
Brian, I take that as you were able to blog this you didn't stay and enjoy the Steel Boys Saturday evening 'hospitality'. There were some very bleary eyed people wandering around on the Sunday morning. Also on the Sunday, Richard the 'Brochure King' was there with his Guy and also Tony Knowles with his amazing gas turbine Leyland which he had running, (worth a blog on its own).
Though I'm not connected with trucking, I'm looking forward to your post about Kev Dennis. I do alot of digging into Skegness history and its people, and the Dennis family is long established in Skegness as scrap metal merchants.
I will link to the post when it is done.
You've obviously put alot of work into your blog and I wondered if you were interested in some old truck pics that I have. They may lend to some discussion on your blog.
Angela Gooch
As Alan says, the Sunday was a fine day all round - and this event has maintained its' highlight of the year status with me, despite the break with the long association of the CVRTC. The lorries, trade stands and the company were all excellent, and I am pleased (?) to report I broke the bank buying up more brochures and photos for my archive!
The Knowles Leyland Turbine was absolutely amazing, and a highlight of the show for me and many others. I never thought I would see one of these restored and running again - An absolute credit to all those invloved in the task of restoring such an iconic machine.
I forgot my camera, so needless to say you won't be getting any Turbine photos from me, but I shall scan one or two Steyrs after work.
aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah,the steel boys at gaydon,i hear you had fun in my absence lads.but i,ll be back!
the "eax" registration on the dave lawrence steyr is an instant giveaway to it being registered new in the cardiff area,i can remember cardiff rod mill had around a dozen of them new in the late eighties.i dare say that this was one of those dozen.
i piloted the now famous steyr on the Steelboys road run.
as i tried to explain to everyone,it has an inner beauty that makes it rare.
thanks to Dave Lawrence for intrusting to me.
thanks steve evans.
Hi Brian
Interesting to see my fathers old Steyr. Although it is now registered as F922 EAX it was operated by my father with the private plate A3 PWJ for six years and was based in Monmouth, South Wales. It was the last truck my father owned before he retired after being an owner driver for 32 years. My father always looked after his trucks and this one was no exception.
We bought it from a company called Premier Commercials in Ossett West Yorkshire when it was about 18 months old, it was a finance snatch back from a small rental company. Premier Commercials at the time had a choice of about 20 19S31s in stock the majority being new and the last of the stock that was imported prior to the takeover by MAN.
We chose this one as it was very low mileage and was in perfect condition with a very attractive price tag for a 38 tonne tractor unit at the time. As far as the truck goes it was a great truck to drive and always turned heads.
At the time it replaced a 24 year old MAN 16.280 with column gear change. For my dad after piloting the MAN for 22 years it was truly a lap of luxury with the high roof and electric windows!!
I note that one of your bloggers claim that it was registered in Cardiff this is not correct when my father put it up for sale he removed his private plate and because of our location the truck was given a new number with a South Wales suffix.
When my father operated it, it was plain white and was often seen pulling trailers for Rhys Davies out of Cardiff and TDG Williams out of North Wales.
During it's life with us the only major mechanical failure was the Eaton Twinsplitter gearbox which blew itself apart coming off the M2 at Strood in Kent (apparently this was because it had not received a recall modification when it was first registered).
Credit must go to Dave Lawrence for keeping this wonderful truck alive.
Thank you Brian for a great piece of nostalgia. It was a great truck that sadly in this country never got it's chance to shine.
Regards
Iain
I have a Styer Tractor Truck for sale.
Very low milage and Very low Price.
anyone interested, plz contact me at
Omar Shahzad
Zeuxis_5th@yahoo.com
I have only just found your site I was really pleased to see the articles about the Steyr's as I used to drive a 310 for a Birmingham firm on International work for five years. this tractor was one of the nicest I had ever drove in my 45 years driving, it had air suspension what a lovely ride no bucketing you around. Eaton twin splitter it was easy to get in and out it had so many cupboards nets and box's to put all your stuff away the top bunk had fans for cold air, it also had a fold out table and although it was only 310 it pulled like a train putting to shame some of these glamour trucks. I often had drivers say to me what an ugly truck it was but I liked it because it was different and it always did what it said on the tin, all in all a brillant motor
I operated a 310 Steyr many years ago as an O/D. Reg.No. G594 KNH
Without doubt it was one of the best trucks I ever had. As others have said, it pulled like a steam-train, and I particularly liked the twin-splitter box. In fact, the gearbox was one of the main attractions, having also operated ERF's with the same box. I brought mine from Bluecars in Northamptonshire, and paid what I considered to be an extremely reasonable price for a new truck.I used the truck throughout Europe, and the only problem I ever had was an air-pipe splitting.The pipe ran underneath the battery-box, and vibration used to cause the fracture. I eventually replaced it with a flexi-pipe which solved the problem.
It had a well-appointed cab, although I found the bottom bunk too narrow, so always slept on the top bunk,which was very comfortable.
I saw the truck once after i'd finished with it, by which time it had a third axle added, and had been painted black. To be honest, it looked well-used by then. When I had it, it was 'channel-green' and red.