I almost forgot... At Peterborough this weekend Volvo were celebrating the life and times of the mighty 16-litre big-banger 1987-2009. And on the right you see it in it's original1988 guise in the F16 with an earth-shattering (nominal) 470hp...! At the time the TD162F engine was the highest horsepower on the market with 465hp and 2015Nm... The Globetrotter cab was standard for the F16. After three previous owners from new this one now belongs to Paul Davenport who's restored it to pristine condition... And next to it is the 'current generation' FH16 660... (And that's 40hp short of the latest range-topping 700hp!)
And here's a better view of it in all its glory...refreshingly missing in extra roof lights too!
And along the way the F16 became the FH16 in 1993 when the TD163ES was developed into the D16A for the FH at a stroppy 520hp and a stump-pulling 2400Nm. This example also has three previous owner before being bought by Keith Storey of Kestrel Truck Services... Now click through here for the full story...
In the 16 years between 1993 and 2009 the Swedes have screwed 35% more power out of their 16-litre engine, 31% more torque and gone from Euro-1 to Euro-5 with a 77% reduction in NOx and the latest cab... Well that's something else...
So what's the dark secret of the FH16... 750? 800hp?
Great to see these classics on show, and a 2nd place prize for the F16 I understand for "polisher paul", or Tidy of Corwen as he is know in the Steel Boys circle of trust!, nice one Paul, look forward to seeing you on the run on 13th June. GB
Thanks Paul and Keith for the loan of your vehicles in the 16 litre vintage line up.
Congratulations Keith for your highly commended in the senior working class for "Black Magic" and Paul for coming second overall in the classic and vintage class.
Also thanks to Bill Watling and Mark Farrow for the new heavy haulage 6x4 and 8x4 tractors on air respectively for completing the 16 litre line up.