Pay attention! 'The Boss' has communicated with me and says: "BLB, shame our British manufacturers didn't look out the window and didn't see the writing on the wall. Couldn't look into the future, made the mistake of not considering the driver as important." And as if to prove his point he's sent me these terrific selection of classic 70s waggons, some of which led to the demise of the UK industry...I'll leave you to work out which ones. Meanwhile The Boss concludes: "Trust you didn't spend the day at a rain sodden Truckfest..."
Well if nothing else this should please Pete Lynch in Oz..though not too many UK drivers I'd wager.
Mmmm..well even I wouldn't 'dis' this one. But compared to the Continentals I guess it was lacking...
And this was the one that started it all..never mind F86 it was the F88 and F89 that really put the cat amongst the turkeys...Now click through here for more from The Boss..
The old SK Merc certainly had its fans...as did the Daf..
All of which begs the questions..brefore the Continentals rocked up UK drivers must have had their favourite...so what was it? Answers please anorak army..
Comments (5)
Shame on you BLB, while I agree wholeheartedly normally with your comments, to say that the E series ERF was not up to continental standards is , well to be frank, almost blasphemy.
A Cummins and Eaton twin split combination was the pinnacle of British truck building and the E series ERF had by far the best installation.
Now go wash your mouth out with soap and water
Posted by An anorak of the highest order | July 6, 2008 7:06 PM
Posted on July 6, 2008 19:06
Well, although I'm a fan of old Fodens, I didn't particularly like the 4000 series and I don't suppose I can include the Alpha as most of that model is really continental.
I presume we aren't allowed Australian Atkinsons, either, so I too will go for the E series ERF with a Cummins 400 and 13-speed Roadranger which I think is far superior to the Twin-Splitter
Posted by Vic Hungerford | July 7, 2008 5:37 AM
Posted on July 7, 2008 05:37
I`m certain that you could not rate an Australian Atkinson alongside a European truck for ride,and certainly not safety.They did ussually have a well specced driveline in them.
Posted by Cam McFadyen | July 7, 2008 11:21 AM
Posted on July 7, 2008 11:21
I would not say the Aussie Atkinsons were any less safe than a European truck. The strength of a Reinforced Plastics cab is clearly demonstrated in my book. (BTW this truck is still working today with the original cab) The ACCO cab easily passed the Swedish cab test in 1975 and I think that the T line (Atkinson 4870) would have done the same.
Ride was not as good but in the case of the Atkinson 3800 series they had to have the axle right forward to suit the local bridge formula and ride suffered as a result.
Posted by Peter Lynch | July 7, 2008 12:27 PM
Posted on July 7, 2008 12:27
hear hear. i am now retired after 50 yrs in transport and the ERF E series with a 275
Cummins and the wonderful Eaton Twin Splitter
was by far the most satisfying machine i drove.
Posted by john f hipkins | August 29, 2008 9:17 PM
Posted on August 29, 2008 21:17