Biglorryblog regular Alex Saville has sent me this shot of a very smart Atki (one for Chris G) from the recent Ayr Road Run but it's what's on the next page that really interests me... And should you too as there's a (Scots) pie quiz in it for everyone...
Welll I suspect a few of you know that this is a Stonefield P5000. But what's the connection between this Scottish 4x4 and a well known Scots industrial entrepreneur who is perhaps better associated with mainstream trucks? Now what was the engine used to power the Stonefield and where was it originally built? And last but not least what eventually happened to it...and if you have somemore pictures, especially of the 6x6 version do send them to me! And thanks to Alex for kicking the whole thing off with this photo!
The Stonefield was basically a 4x4 with either a Ford 3 litre V6 (P3000) or Chrysler 5 litre V8 (P5000) petrol engine and automatic gearbox, some 6x4 models were built for extra carrying capacity by adding a trailing axle to a 4x4, The original company was started in the 70s and belonged to the late Jim McKelvie of McKelvie Haulage, Ailsa Bus and Volvo fame, in the late 80s it was sold to a company called Gomba (who I think had overseas connections, possibly Malta)and as far as I know the Stonefield company folded in the early 1990s.
Hi Brian
This page might be of interest to your readers:
http://stonefield.takeforum.com/2008/09/01/6x4-fire-tender/page1/
as it features some of the known P5000s left in this country. The vehicle pictured in your post is actually a P3000 and is owned by one of the forum members.
The catalogue of entrants to the 2009 Ayrshire Road Run lists the vehicle as a P5000 entered by Douglas Barrie of Coylton, Ayrshire.
Alex
Hi folks, thats my Stonefield and I can confirm its has a 5.2 litre Chrysler engine fitted making it a P5000.
All the best,
Doug
I have happy memories of trying out a Stonefield demonstrator about 30 years ago when with Her Majesty's Constabulary. This had the V8 engine and auto box and we took it up to the Eston Hills (on Teesside) in the snow. It yomped around off road like an oversize puppy and was great fun. We didn't buy one but I have a feeling the local electricity board ran some.
With a Northallerton registration on the Atky, I feel I should know where this one started life. Chris G any thoughts. I'm not sure if Sunters ran any 4x2 Borderers - I know they ran some 6x4 Atky units of this era.
Checking out the registration of Dobson Atkinson this vehicle was brought as a new unit by Arthur Sanderson Haulage of Great Broughton in North Yorks. It would have had a 220 Cummins and im sure the Atkis ordered around that time had a Dynair fan fitted. One of the drivers of this vehicle was a guy called George Dodds, and it was mainly used on long distance mainly between Teesside and South Wales.
yes, this Borderer had previously been restored in its Sanderson livery - sad to see that it's lost that now. Weren't Sanderson associated with Durham's?
Chris
Yes you are right R.Durham,s took over A.Sandersons in the 70,s. The original colours were blue cabs with a white roof and red chassis, for me a classic combo, after the take over Sandersons vehicles were painted a blue with a green and purple stripe around to echo the new Durhams colours of maroon with a yellow and orange stripe. Of course now Durhams were taken over by the PD group but still run out of Billingham.
John
I have a 6 wheel chrysler engined stonefield and need a petrol pump . Do you know where I cxan get one. Or the type. please
Stonefield 4x4
Drove one of these in early 80's, Ford powered with automatic transmission. The item I drove was owned buy a company (Guerba Tras Africa of Devises) using it & Bedfords for tours of Africa. It lost all forward gears & had been driven for 300 miles in reverse across Mauritania.