Biglorryblog recently asked Scania's laid-back and unflappable PR wallah Phil Sampson for anything he had on the 'Centurion'--the limited edition Series 3 Streamlliner artic produced specifically for the UK market as the 'master' centurion--the one-off extra-special Centurion that was blinged up to the gills---and he's come back with this little lot: "Hi Brian, as promised, here's a few 'Master' Centurion shots - I've no idea who the guy with the Children in Need cheque is, but if memory serves me correctly the amount of £10,500 was what we presented to C-in-N as the result of sealed bids received for the truck. (the £10.5k being the profit on the deal - Scania covered its costs and donated all profits to the charity).
"A bit more on that: I did a photocall with the lovely Jill Dando to promote the donation (can't find any pics of her with the cheque at present, will let you know if I do). On C-i-N night (1991), I was despatched to hand over the lolly at Wembley stadium where a bunch of Labour MPs were playing the Tories in a Reds v Blues soccer match for the charity. (there was also a dog meeting going on as well, which was far more entertaining). I had to hand over a king-sized cheque (not the one in the pic here) while Peter Bottomley (who may well have been Transport Minister at the time, I can't remember) waited patiently to do his party piece - which was playing the Match of the Day theme tune on a flute. I recall the aforementioned Mr B finding it all terribly funny for some unexplained reason and giggling non-stop while I did my best to explain what a Master Centurion was to a very uninterested BBC reporter!" Now click through here for morer and one more picture....
Best regards Phil...."
So can anyone add to Phil's comments?
The reg on the 143 master centurion was J15 EAS, which when used for the publicity shos looked like J1 SEAS. SEAS, stood for South East Artic Services and was bought by Derek Sumpter. However, the anorak in me says that he never actully put it to work and sold it soon after to Ronnie Fielding conference Trucking of London. It was re registered as K6 REF. Whatever happened to it in its later life? No idea. Not even seen any recent photos of it or read anything about a new owner purchasing it. Surprising really considering its rarity. I know that if it was mine, everyone would know it!!