Yes, you've guessed it. It's another unlikely tale from the 'Dark Continent' from Bigloryblog's very own 'Good man in Africa' Jerry Burley---who's just taken the hammer to is piggy bank. "BLB, I muttered to you the other day that we were getting tired of what are, unfortunately by design, "fragile" UK trucks falling to bits on our roads here. We have struggled on with the resin cabbed Fodens as long-haul trucks but when they break (which they do regularly on our not quite billiard-smooth bush supply routes) there is just no way of repairing them satisfactorily and a never ending cycle of ugly, bodged repair, downtime and angry client ensues".But first, says JB, the tradtional nature notes: This picture shows the result of a recent Frankenstein-esque experiment where an entire third world village has been biologically crossed with a Buick. Result: an eco-taxi that also addresses unemployment whilst reducing on emissions,While it could get a bit high under there on a hot day it's pretty cheap to run---and no shortage of spares for the undercarriage!"
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"Meanwhile, it's back to creaky Fodens, " says JB, "and where we are going (or trying to go anyway) next. A 10 year old,worn-smooth ex-UK double diff Foden 4400 (as an example rather than being specifically picked upon, as I am very fond of our Foden trucks) will cost UK£8k of anyone's moolah, and more if you want one that has half a chance of making it to UK port under its own motive power."
"Then you have to get it here so double that. Admittedly, three months of hire and its paid for, ...with residuals still to be taken into account. Enter the ultra-basic, Chinese copy of the Powerliner, complete with Chinese-built engine. Repairs can be done with a 3/8 Whitworth spanner and an oil can. New, on the road price here (and thats 1500kms from the coast and a long, long way from China too!) USD68k."
And click through here for the full story...
Jerry continues: "And this is our first unit seen as delivered and subsequently being mated up with its new trailer!"
"Longevity, who knows, ? But we have already thrown away the frankly pathetic plastic mud guards. One of the transport companies we do quite a lot of business with here have 50 of them and swear by them (rather than at them). We shall see".
"Coupled to it a Bachu-built semi-trailer from Nairobi, seen here being modified for oilfield work, and there's the third world looking after the third world, 100%, and what may be a sign of things to come as Europe gets ever-more emission-Euro'd, Euro-centric and complex when it comes to trucks. Is this the first story on a Beiben Benz on BLB from an actual owner? What a scoop, and we've already done 50 k's successfully in it today!"
And here it is below all ready to roll with one of Jerry's merry men behind the wheel. Must bit quite a hard ride with those steel springs all-round! Anyroadup yes it is an exclusive 'roll-out for BLB.
And when we say 'hard ride' we mean it....these should taker while to break JB--even for your lot!
And here's a happy shot of new Chinese Merc and proud parents....
Now an interior shot---obviously JB spent pounds for the optional up-market 'executive' trim...and with a seat too...
Well BLB wishes you luck JB..let us know how it performs.....
Actually, it's not just a copy. This truck is the result of joint venture with Mercedes.
The engine is probably based on a Steyr design. The gearbox on a Eaton Fuller design.
http://btbfbc.en.alibaba.com/