Hello what's happened here then ...? Answer: this is what happens when an irresistible object (i.e. a Daf CF85 Space cab 4x2 tractor) meets an immovable object (e.g. Biglorryblog's ally briefcase from the German company Rimowa http://www.rimowa.com/index.php Result? A clear win for the Daf CF85! And the moral of the story kiddies? Never leave your aluminium brief case leaning up against the drive axle wheels of a Daf CF85 when you're in a hurry to leave somewhere...DOH!
But how did that happen? I hear you ask dumbfounded (or something like that). Well Daf's demo supremo Richard Kingston and yours truly were at Oxford services on the M40 this morning with the above CF85 doing a Truck & Driver Trucker's Test. And having set ourselves a target of finding six drivers to come and have a look at the Daf and give us their comments within two hours (our free parking allowance) we finished with five minutes to spare. Naturally not wanting to get stung for extra parking we promptly threw (what we thought was) all our gear in the truck and pulled out only to hear a gentle crackling noise as..you guessed , the briefcase we'd put down by the back axle for safe keeping while we talking to the drivers in the cab promptly decided it was time to act as an impromptu sleeping Policeman...
And by the time we realised it this was the end result..Still to be fair it proved tough enough to protect my Canon Powershot camera which was in it at the time (this picture was taken by the same camera...). And as this was a freebie given to me by a certain German truck maker many years ago I can't say it's caused me much heartbreak. Mind you, according to Clutchslip I should be well and truly gutted as these cases are apparently worth a bob or two...so I probably won't be buying myself a new one...although maybe if I contact Rimowa they'll give me a new one in return for a glowing testimonial on the strength and impact resistance of my old one---rather like those old Barbour ads? What do you think? In the meantime, once you've finished having a bl**dy good laugh at BLB's expense click through here for a rather special Foden!
Meanwhile, back at Daf's HQ at Thame for more photography, it's by now pouring down with rain so I wonder whether the handover/presentation area is free where we can drive the CF85 in out of the rain...but guess what's parked in it? Yes this immaculate Foden Alpha 420 Cummins-powered, manual gearbox 6x2 high roof XL 6x2. With smart metallic blue paint.
I think it's an ex-press test/demo tractor, although what it's doing in Thame I've no idea. Nice to see it there though....and If I had the money I think I'd make them an offer for it!
Most of us mere mortals can only dream about having an aluminium attache case or ally luggage and here you go running over yours with a ruddy great truck! And ClutchSlip is quite right. They certainly ARE worth a bob or two. I remember going to a half-price sale at a famous luggage outlet in Paris some years ago and even at 50% off the case was still double what I could afford!