Bert de Vuyst makes a welcome return to Biglorryblog and knowing my penchant for the Scania Longline - shown above at its official RAI Show debut in 2003 (was it really that long ago?) - Bert says: "Hello Brian, here are some pictures of one of the first 'longlines' ever build. In 1956!"
Bert says "I found the next pictures on the blog of Iep van der Meer. These pictures are from Niels Jansen.Best regards, Bert." Well one good turn deserve another and both Iep's website at http://iepvandermeer.nl/ and Niel's picture gallery on Hank's truck pictures are well worth a visit! http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/niels_jansen.htm Meanwhile, click through here for more shots of the original Longline!
And what a great truck... But here's the question. What make is it? Surely not a Scania?
The logo on the bottom of the interior shot above says Kassbohrer... So was it a German conversion? Perhaps Iep or Niels can tell us more please?
Kassboehrer was a German manufacturer of coaches and trailers, indeed the front and cab of the 'longline' does look similar to some of their early coaches. I assume that it is based on a truck chassis as the coaches were sold under the Setra name, short for 'selbst tragend' = self supporting or chassisless. The Setra name is now part of Daimler Benz.
I'm thinking it was a Kässbohrer conversion. It does not look like a Scania grille; it looks the most like MAN although one would expect to see the M.A.N lettering. Might also be Fiat or OM, but I doubt it's Italian. Kässbohrer did work with MAN on some cranes and things, so for now let's say it's Kässbohrer coachwork on a MAN chassis.
It's true that the "longline cab" and the trailer was built by Kässbohrer. So, what about the chassis? From what I've found it's a Scania-Vabis LS 71.
Originally owned by Hanssons blommor (a flower wholesaler/importer? I don't know) in Hudiksvall, Sweden. Later it was sold to Heidmarks in Sollentuna (Stockholm), who operated for ASG.
With 18 metres i total length, it was too long for continental roads and soon converted into a "bus" pulling a drawbar trailer.
As a "bus":
http://www.veteranlastbilar.se/Include/ElectosFileStreaming.asp?FileId=1727
Som more pics here, of the interior for instance:
http://www.veteranlastbilar.se/Gallery.asp?pageid=708
In the "as a bus" picture the Scania-Vabis logo is clearly visible just below the Kassbohrer K.
I can't offer a model, but suggest S=V as a good bet for the make.