Thanks to my good chum Rikki Chequer community manager at TrucknetUK, the best ever website for drivers (and which you can find it and become a member by clicking on this link http://www.roadtransport.com/StaticPages/drivers.htm ) I learn that 'Kermit' the unique stretched XF 'Super Dooper' Space Cab has changed hands. It was originally owned by Richard Rollinson (that's him pictured above with his pride and joy back in 2007) who up until recently was working and driving it along with his partner Annie Price. I met Richard and Annie up at Alconbury some time ago and found them to be great people---subsequently we featured both them and Kermit (in all its 530hp AS-tronic glory) in T&D back in August 2007.
However, some time ago Richard rang me to tell me that a combination of rising diesel prices and ill-health have forced him to call it a day----so very reluctantly he' put his unique Daf tractor up for sale. And when I say unique that's how much more room you have up against a Scania Topline! All very sad as the cab extension was done to a very impressive standard---although Richard and Annie had still to do a lot of work to finish off the interior. Anyway I'm now told it's in new hands and click through here to find out who's the lucky owner of Kermit and what they plan to do with it...
And the lucky owner is 'Shuttlespanker' (that's obviously not his real name ..although it could be for all I know) that's his moniker on the TruckNetUK Forums where he has posted up a great selection of photos showing what's been happening to Kermit since he bought it When it first arrived with Shuttlespanker it was looking a bit dirty and sorry for itself. However, after a bit of hard work and decent valeting the outside was back to pristine condition as you can see from this shot. Now to get to grips with the inside, which he has been doing, completing the job of turning the Kermit cab into a real home-on-the-road...
This shows the nearside of the cab interior looking back from the windscreen and you can see the sink and opening for other units including microwave or telly (the wiring appears to be pretty much in place.)
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And here's the other side where you can see the night heater controls on the offside wall but more importantly the space for the bed base----Shuttlespanker says he's fitting ordered a new mattress to go in it..King-size of course! Anyroadup I wish him all the best with Kermit which has obviously gone to a good home and clearly-dedicated owner. Perhaps when the job is complete either he or Rikki will let me know and I'll try and meet up with them both and take some shots of the finished article for both Biglorryblog and T&D?
Spanky finally has the truck on the road...........unfortunatle it got it first flat tyre this week haha
cant wait to see you at truckfest with the beast next year.
Gogzy, you git :(
i still have a lot to do on the interior and some bits on the exterior before it goes anywhere near a trucking magazine.
more pics have been added to the thread on TrucknetUK