Naturally the shots of a Guy Big J got the Brochure King's (AKA Richard Stanier) interest! And Rich replies: "Hi Brian, just got in from working in my garage, sorting out a few Guy spares for a fellow preservationist, and I've seen Alex's excellent contribution from Taylor & Morrisons. It's great to see an "old time" haulier still, that still hangs on to his old motors, just in case. It put me in mind of the legendary Bert Swift of Swiftways Transport, Coleshill. I have attached a photo of the man himself from Commercial Motor, 1 September 1989, when Bert was selling his business to Benton's transport. Bert rated the Guy Big J so highly that he ran his fleet up to the end, and as can be seen, he always had a few donor vehicles about him too. Whilst I recall his drivers were not so keen on the old 'uns, his yard was always a bit of a treasure trove to me!" Funny Rich, I don't seem to recall the story in CM which is unusual for me. Who wrote it up? Meanwhile click through here for a very special Guy...
Rich continues: "Whilst on the subject of Guys I thought I would send you the attached scan of a Big J6T. This truck (chassis number - JX - for 'experimental' - 11) was a 44 tonner built in 1969 and featuring a 14 litre Cummins Custom Torque "big banger", Fuller 9 speed 'box and Guy double drive axles and is one of only two built. I actually own this truck, but it doesn't quite look like this now! I'm not suggesting you follow it's restoration like Andrew's Pete either. I have had it for fifteen years and I've just managed to replace the shackle pins. On the offside (!) Cheers! Rich."
Thanks TBK great stuff - and it's got me thinking. The Ford Transcontinental was another truck developed for 'predicted' 44-tonne legislation in the early 70s - but it never happened. Can anyone provide BLB with more detail on why people thought they were going to get 44-tonnes, the timescale and any more details--not least why it was dumped?
Guy Big J's were quite popular in Ireland and I remember them being especially popular witht eh tanker hauliers operating for the dairies such as golden Vale. The demise of Guy in Ireland has been attributed to the company deciding to part ways with it's Irish distributor, Dubliner Robert 'Pino' Harris after the Layland takeover. Harris is alleged to have told them that "If Guy is finished with me, then Guy is finished in Ireland". That is exactly what happened.
Harris went on to start importing Hino's and Isuzu's which became, and remain, massively popular. Despite being one of Ireland's wealthiest, and reclusive, businessmen, Harris is alleged to be a truck-man to the core and will go to great lengths to puruse a sale. We're not talking Stobart-fleet type sales, but rather the owner-driver sales.
http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/robert-pino-harris-487120.html
I'm sorry I can't find the author of the Swiftways piece, Brian, the second page of the article has annoyingly gone missing.
I have always been intrigued by the late 60's 44 ton boom, and in addition to my Guy there was an Atkinson (with Viewline cab), an AEC with their V8 engine, An ERF 6x4 and of course the Leyland Turbine amongst others.
I don't really know why these vehicles were developed at that time, but I am sure Peter Davies will as he is most expert on these matters. I wonder if can enlighten us.....?
hi richard i used to live next door to one of burts drivers.i would go out on the road with him in the guy he drove.we,d run massey ferguson tractors from coventry 3 on a trailer to hull and grimsby for export and reload fertaliser from beverly.other work was rugby cement from southam and his nephew did 3 nights out a week on the south coast for chubb.as far as i know burts still alive and lives round the corner of the yard
Hi Brian,
Any one able to help eith info or pictures on Bridgwater Transport Services who were the transport arm of the Manchester Ship Canal. They had a yard down by canal not far from the Mancunian way if I remember rightly. My dad used to take me to the yard on a Saturday morning, and it would be full of Atki's ,Fodens, ERF's and those new fangled Ford Transcontis. Ah, happy days.