The 'Brochure King' is back on Biglorryblog so trebles all round. "Hi Brian," he says, "unfortunately I can't assist with a brochure on the International Scout since they are a bit too lightweight for my collection!"
"But I've got an Antipodean offering for your regulars in the form of some Australian Atkinsons (as usual!) I know we have these on a very regular basis, but I thought these recent colour photos I have obtained were worth a blogging as colour press photos from this period are quite unusual."
Rich continues: "Also Pete and Chris can have another debate about the merits of the 'Preston Cab' (!)" Now click therough here for a REAL oddball... A Kenworth in Scotland.
"On another of the recent blogs there was some mention of the unusual tractor units owned by York Trailers in the 1960's and 70's, particularly their Kenworth K100. I have dug out the attached photo of this truck in a suitably unusual setting outside the Strathclyde Hotel where a couple of school boys seem to be intrigued too! Cheers, Rich." What a superb picture Rich. I had no idea York had any of this stuff. I should speak to Marking Carrington - former marketing and PR supremo at York, and now boss of King Trailers. Meanwhile does anyone else have anything on this?
Great photos there Rich, most of what I have from this era is B+W and the Shell livery certainly brings them up. The twin steer prime mover is from WA, and probably would have pulled two trailers. Will talk to an old K + S driver and see if he recalls the fridge pan.
brilliant kw shot,that's a new one for me!i had no idea that york would have had that truck then.
From the home of Kain and Shelton,now K&S Freighters. They had quite a number of that model in bogie and single drive with that Fridge van.A long time K&S employee, Colin MacDonald is looking for a single drive, Gardner engined model to restore now,preferably with the half sleeper cab.
Murray Langford, Mount gambier
I remember the York KW well because I was back in the UK for a short visit from Canada in about 1965 I reckon. I was hitching rides up to Keele and managed to grab a ride in it northbound on the M1. As I recall (and it's only 40-odd years or more ago!) it had a 250-Cummins for power but it definitely had a 10-speed Road Ranger. At that time it was as unusual to see a KW in the UK as it was to see a Leyland in Canada.
Great Atki shots, Richard. As Pete says, they really do show up well in the Shell livery, don't they? Sadly, most of my period Australian Atki pics are monochrome too.
I've never met an RP cab in the plastic, so to speak, but I'd love to have a play out in one (preferably with a 240 Gardner and a Fuller so I'd feel at home, though!). I'm sure they would have stood up very well to other U.K. offerings if they had been offered, and I can only imagine that it was cost that prevented them importing more than the one cab that came over to Walton-le-Dale.
I recall seeing a working KW cabover, probably on the M25 or M40, on a trip back to the UK years ago (maybe the 80s?). I wasn't quick enough to spot the owner.
I'm curious about the trailer above; obviously belonged to German fashion house. What was it doing on the Clyde? Was York trailers selling in Germany at the time?
Welcome to BLB Murray, would be great to see an Atki in K+S Colours, will send you an email. I dont know why the Poms didnt adopt the RP cab or a variation of it. Making the moulds and setting up would have been easy enough for any fibreglass shop.
We have still got some RP Atkis running around out here Chris, if you can get yourself to Australia said meeting can soon be sorted out.