Oh for the open road and a classic artic to drive along it. And speaking of which Biglorryblog's very own 'Mr Classic' Bob Tuck has sent me this cracking selection of golden oldie shots and says: "Brian, I promised I'd send you a taster of my recent run to Campbeltown driving Andrew Malcolm's 1967 Scania Vabis artic tipper. Some images attached of my motor, some of the other motors and some of the views."
Bob continues (though I'm not convinced when he says): "It's a tad hard work driving the truck and also fretting about getting some decent pics. But that's all part of the joys of life. I really had a great time and the truck went well."
"In no particular order there are shots of the Cameron's Foden S21 (actually I did a working feature of this same motor in T&D about 10 years ago when Cameron were still working it)." And for a pie what year does the truck come from?
Bob says: "Do you recognise the small bonneted Leyland - quite rare these motors." Indeed it is Bob so come on anorak army, it's a Leyland but what's the model?
"And Jim Padkins 111 is quite a head turner" says Bob, who adds,"We should be doing something in T&D about it surely?" Keep blogging! Now click through here for some more and a picture of one of the bridges you've got to drive over in a truck before you die...
Immaculate Atki should keep a certain BLB contributor in Oz happy. Love the little single-axle trailer...
And here's that bridge which I can assure you is not on the M25....great stuff Bob and thanks.
Great photos Bob, its a guess but is that bridge on the road to Kyle of Lochalsh?
Hi Bob
What a great selection of photos, and what a great place to be driving classic trucks! That S21 Mickey Mouse Foden would be approximately 1964-65; and that little Leyland must be a Landmaster, which I have heard of but never seen. From the look of the windscreen it appears to have been based on the Leyland Pilot or G-series, which was originally an Austin/Morris/BMC FG model.
Talking about "hard" drives, Bob, keep watching BLB and I have posted a photo and story of a 73 year old Aussie who is restoring a 73 year old Brockway and intends driving it from Colac, near Melbourne, to Alice Springs in 2010 when both he and the truck will be 75 years old. I think that will really be a hard drive. I have offered to go along and help with the driving and AtkiPete has offered to go along too and write the story and take the photos!
The little Leyland is a Landmaster and the bridge looks like it could be the one at Inverary?
Richard is spot on saying the bridge is the one controlled by traffic lights just outside Inveraray (note the spelling, the locals get fickle when you miss an a out) beside Loch Fyne. I couldn't believe the view so I just leaned out of the cab window (after I'd stopped of course) to snap the image. And of course, it's Bernard Cowcill's very rare Landmaster.
Vic
I love the sound of that 75+75 years of story driving to Alice Springs. Makes me think of finding a 65 year old motor (in 2010 and of course fully restored) and doing a 65+65 type story myself but NOT driving to Alice Springs. Do a Lands End to John O'Groats type run may be far enough for me.
Hi Bob
Brian has decided that there will be "Absolutely positively" no more postings on BLB from the trip that Pete and I did so the story and photos about Merv Brunt's proposed journey in the old Brockway to Alice Springs won't get on there. Fair enough too, it must have seemed to the Poms that the Aussies and Kiwis were taking over their blogsite! It's a pity that Pete's ones of Andy Provan's collection won't get on though.
However, if you want to send me your email address to vicandval@gmail.com I could send you some photos of Merv and the Brockway under restoration plus a few others of some very interesting old trucks we saw from Merv and Andy's collections. I promise I won't pass it on or keep bombarding you with stuff! Honestly!