Biglorryblog's 'Man North 'o' The Border' John Henderson writes""Hello Brian, here's a question for the BLB army. Did Volvo ever produce a special Middle East version of the original F12 Globetrotter?" Well did they? I think they did and if you have any pictures of one please send them in!
Meanwhile John says: "I stumbled upon this picture of the cab-proud chap in Jean Christer Olsson & Henrik Moberger's Volvo 75 years book (published in 2002) and it would appear to show a Globetrotter with extra interior equipment." Well John if you want my opinion is that this is a 'staged' picture. No self-respecting driver would ever be seen dead doing the washing up in his Volvo---the 'real' photo shows his girlfriend doing it...Oi Biglorryblog YELLOW CARD! You've been warned.....Anyroadup click through here for more...
John also has sent me this F88 Middle East special which I've covered in BLB before. I've a feeling John Comer sent me some shots of it---it's at Volvo's old Chingford (I think) depot. I'll see if I can dig it up again."
John adds: "Also a couple of pics from a period F12 brochure with a smart looking wagon & drag headlined with Volvo Truck's Irvine address..." Yes I remember it well John, when Volvo switched RHD F10 and F12 production to Irvine. Only an over-enthusiastic sub-editor on CM headlined it: 'Made in England!" My phone went into melt-down soon after as apoplectic Scots readers rang to tell me my minor mistake....the words 'chewing' and 'sporran' come to mind.
Finally John has unearthed this absolute belter "...and a wee accessories gem showing what every Swedish chauffeur and his missus were wearing down the gym then!" The gym John? I've told you,. it's what she wears to do the washing up!" That's it BLB...RED CARD you're out the game!
(And remember...just watch where those comments are going!)
Hi Brian, Volvo never made a version of the Globetrotter specifically for the middle east market. But there was the option of a kitchen pack with a built in sink with its own water supply tank and pump. This fitted under the bottom bunk along with the cooker, there was also a folding table and a fridge I believe.
I was working at Irvine in the 70's as a management trainee (short lived),when they built the original 88 middle east special. It came about after , one of my colleagues went on a trip with Glasgow hauliers John McNeil and the ideas for the cab came mainly from recomendations given by the drivers
Rgds Bob