AtkiPete lynch has found this rather neglected specimen of a 4x4 rigid in Geelong and says "G'day Brian,haven't got a clue what this one is, maybe one of your readers might be able to tell us.Cheers Pete." Well Pete you've come to the right bloke because for a start that's the old joint MAN-VW G90 cab used by MAN up to 7.5-tonnes over here (quite a nippy thing it was too as it was offered with the then unheard of extravagence of an optional 150hp six-pot at a time when that level of power was driving the average 16-tonners!) They also produced 4x4 versions, at least I think so. Meanwhile, the same cab was used by Paccar and also on military trucks by certain Eastern European truck makers too. But if you want the REAL story then click through here for the 'Brochure King's' definitive story of the G90 cab.
Back I'm Januray 2008 Richard Stanier sent me this stuff following a similar G90 truck picture query of a VW G90-based truck in the BLB's Sao Paulo show report. He responded thus: "Hi Brian, seeing that VW truck got me thinking about the rather illustrious history of the G90 cab. It first saw the light of day on the MAN - VW MT truck range, as a development of the VW LT design." Richard goes on to say: "In addition to being used by the Brazilian VW company on their mid-weight trucks, they also used it on their heaviest trucks up until the introduction of the Constellation. Attached is a picture of their Titan Tractor of 2005, which has a Cummins 6CTAA engine for a gross combination weight of 43,600 kg."
However, BLB readers may not know that North America has also seen the cab used on Paccar trucks of the late 1980's as Richard proves conclusively. "Attached is a photo of the Peterbilt Midranger 265 tractor, part of a mid-weight truck range, again powered by a Cummins C-Series engine. Kenworth used this cab too."
Finally Rich advised me: "Pegaso briefly built a light/medium weight model with the cab, as did the Hungarian Raba company (pictured here). I don't have any details of the Raba, but it was designated the H9, and was the military variant in a range of trucks that included civilian models. Raba were the great "borrowers" of the CV manufacturing world having used DAF 2800 and MAN/Saviem cabs throughout their heyday. They also built some vehicles which featured the Foden Alpha version of the Daf CF cab. Unfortunately, their production is now primarily limited to axles, and to some military lorries for the Hungarian army - these again featuring an MAN cab design!" So there you are pete, once again the The Brochure King has provided the answers....and for my money I reckon it's an MAN.
This australian truck must be an Kenworth K 300. I don´t know whether Paccar sold the Peterbuilt models in downunder. Models with this brazilian made VW cabins in the US have been Kenworth K 130, 150, 220, 300 and Peterbuilt 224, 227, 265.
From Raba I have a brochure in civilian design. Steyr has also used this cabin, but looks smaller like the VW LT.
True story.. These are MAN made sold by there sales network here Queensland rail used a fleet of these for track gangs sold out and replaced with Isusu gang cabs , the cab made by Volkswagen now used more so still house's the "steerer" on Kenworths mid range K300 series met with limited sales down under.
Still in use the VW mid range truck are being sold more widely now, VW own MAN/ERF/Western star brands.
MAN I heard was to be sold down here this year as Volkswagen heavy vehicls, a rebadge to suit ownership.
My guess is it`s an MAN,Kenworth never offered them as fourby`s here as far as I know,where as MAN seems to have consistantly offered all wheel drives,and it seems to be one market that they seem to perform well in.It`s also looks to have 285 PCD wheels which is the european stud pattern,as opposed to 225 which is American (Bud) wheels.
Well I dont think it is a Kenworth as they didnt have a 4x4 version. Paccar didnt sell Peterbilt trucks down here but someone else is bringing a few in.