I've had further e-mail conversations with Brian 'Mr Foden' Lomas who has also been chatting to our mutual friend and fellow Foden Stalwart John Ormondy, to see if John could add anything to the Syd Bishop thread---and John says: "Sorry Brian; I was never close to Syd Bishop. His S80s were supplied by Sid Sullivan of Streeters, and later Fodens, including a 150-tonner, by Russell at Acorn Trucks. I was jealous, tho'! I do, however, remember the influence of his 'Watch it Come Down' slogan, with several other South London imitations, including 'However Tall, Watch it Fall' and 'Have Gravel, Will Travel' amongst others. John O." All of which prompts Biglorryblog to say who did those other slogans belong to? And while I am at it I seem to recall John put together a rather splendid 4000 Series Caterpillar-powered 6x4 tractor called 'Black cat...'? or was it 'Black Cat II'? Either way does anyone have any decent shots of it?
Black CAT was indeed a Foden 6x4 tractor unit but not a 4000 series. It was based on the earlier S106 T WITH A 400bhp 3406 14 Litre engine. It was owned by Forden Commercials of Avonmouth in the early 80 s and used as a demo vehicle. One of its first outings was to Truckfest at Peterborough where it was displayed on the Foden stand alongside a similar vehicle owned by E&JW Glendinning ltd from Devon. Unfortunatley, someone at the show liked the truck so much they decided to steel it shortly after the show. It was never seen again although i believe the engine turned up in Austrailia some time afterwards. Glendinnings truck would have sufered a similar fate had it not been fitted with a simple switch hidden on the vehicle which prevented it from being started. Determined not to leave Devon empty handed,they did, however, make off with an almost new ERF E series 8x4 complete with Atlas crane.
The gang responsible for both thefts were eventually captured and have spent some time at her Majesties pleasure.