Recently in World Truck Manufacturers Category

 "Good Morrow Sire" says a very polite 'Kepper of the Flame Martin Phippard."Not that it's any great shakes here at present what with murderous skies, howling winds the ever-present precipitation. Oh, me lumbago! But at least we can hope to add a glimmer of sunlight to Gary (hop-along) Richards' day. His affection for the big old Bulldog knows no bounds."

"So herewith a selection of what I hope are interesting (or inneresting if you're from the far side of the pond) images from the early/mid 1970s, some from Aus, a couple from Canada (the G M Smith outfits) and the massive Aycock heavy hauler from the U.S. Gotta love those Bulldogs!  BR Martin P.".  And click through here for more.....

How about this for a REAL piece of history? And as usual it's all down to Scott McKenzie, webmeister of two of the best trucking websites around -- i.e. for the famous brands of Pacific http://www.pacifictruckclub.org and Hayes http://www.hayestruckclub.org/ trucks. Scott has recently revamped both sites (so worth a visit) and he was interested in the recent Biglorryblog posts from Peter Geany in NZ and his family's P9 Pacific (more on that in a minute). But first how about this for a moment captured in time? Looking at the caption on Scott's website (and thanks for the use of it) It's the FIRST Pacific truck ever built, powered by a Hercules diesel and made in May 1947. And these were the men who built it. The caption says "This truck was bought by Bowater's Pulp and Paper in Newfoundland. 3,000 miles away from the factory in Vancouver B.C. Vancouver, B.C.." And the photo comes courtesy of the H. Rabe collection. Now click through here for more

File it under "....all that glisters is not gold" Word reaches Biglorryblog that the Volvo Group, Sinotruk (BVI) and China National Heavy Duty Truck Group Corporation (CNHTC) have signed an agreement whereby Sinotruk (BVI), a wholly- owned subsidiary of China National Heavy Duty Truck Group Corporation, and CNHTC agrees to purchase all of Volvo Group's equity interest in Jinan Huawo Truck Corporation (Joint Venture), in which Volvo Group currently holds a 50% equity interest. The agreement has to be approvedl by the PRC authorities. The partnership commenced in 2003 and according to the Swedes: "...the Joint Venture has for various reasons not become the business success that both parties had expected." Hmmm.... what was that old saying about 'It wasn't what you do say..it's what you don't say'?

I thought it was long overdue that Biglorryblog brought you some pictures of the double tough tippers from Astra SpA, the Italian specialist vehicle dvision of Iveco which uses Ivecop drivetrain stuff underneath its own unique cabs and you can see more of their range of tippers, heavy haulers and articulated and rigid dump trucks by clikicking on this website http://140.99.29.8/presentazione_eng.htm Meanwhile, keep reading to see a rather strange Astra artic....

"Well it runs from St Louis, down to Missouri, Oklahoma City looks oh so pretty you'll see Amarillo, Gallup New Mexico...and all by looking at the Renault Magnum/Road 66 website by clicking on http://www.magnum-route66.renault-trucks.fr/  which has a complete photographic record of the trip across the great Continent made by two Maggies....

Regular BLB readers may well recall me covering the departure of the smart pair for a road trip across the USA following the classic Route 66 (or the bits that are still left)...and here are a few pictures from it to whet you appetite...(and especially for 'The Boss') Now click through here for more...

Cam has sent me this shot from the recent do at the opening of the new Transport museum and Cultural center at gatton where there was this Bicentennial Mack as well as the handy sign that has the names of all of them on it. Now click through here....

He goes on to says: And no race team would be complete without an equally 'well-equipped' cheer squad - so here is the Bishop crew!!" And that's mjust bthe kiind of sexist picture that you WON'T find on Biglorryblog Gary...oh no....and how do you spell phwoar? Now click through here for the full spec of the drag racer and a picture too!

Looking back through the Biglorryblog archives I was suddenly struck by how long a year is in road transport and how quiickly things can change in the face of an economic downturn. Back at the IAA Hanover Show in September 2008 BLB's juices were set flowing by the prospect of getting behind the wheel of one of Daf's limited edition 80th Anniversary XF105 tractors, even though at the time we were told it wouldn't be coming to the UK (or at least for a while). Pity, for there's nothing BLB likes better than a celebratory artic--and I vaguely remember seeing one on the M20 some time ago.. But be that as it may  what also excited yours truly was the appearance in the XF of the ZF 14-speed synchro (also seen on the Daf stand at RAI) which we had heard so much about....

This was the manual transmission that was due to supersede the venerable 16-speed Ecosplit box in Daf's heavies...only what with the recession and all that I understand it's been put on the back burner along with the twin-turbo 560hp version of the MX 13-litre engine. Why? Because when demand and sales fall, now's not the time to start launching new stuff that no-one is likely to buy. Pity though, as I rather fancied using my left-leg again in an XF or CF and the new ZF box sounded rather interesting. Apparently its got a three position shift pattern (like a 14-speed in a Volvo or Scania)...So will it ever see the light of day in the XF? I guess when the market picks up again we probably shall, though If the AS-Tronic auto continues to grow from strength to strength you've got to wonder..... 

Something is stirring in the forest..something with real 'guts!' Yes Biglorryblog thought it was long overdue that we had a Sisu timber hauler on the blog and so,  for the last posting of tonight, how about this big bolstered blue beauty?  And if you want more information on Finml;and's double-touch truck range click through here http://www.sisu-trucks.com/portal/en/products/sisu_timber/ And keep reading for more top timber trucks....

A Biglorryblog's favourite truck painter and proud owner of 'Project Peterbilt' says: "Hi Brian, welcome from Ashley Lovering's very-well attended, brilliant indoor charity show---Ashley's busy at the moment showing the Mayor some competitors' vehicles whilst dressed as a witch! However, I recently had to go to a customer's premises (in my Peterbilt naturally) to look at a couple of jobs and whilst I was there, I saw these and thought of you,(more precisley the blog). These concrete pumpers are owned by Ammanford-based KJ Services and are capable of pumping the grey stuff nearly 50 metres vertical. When I walked around the corner I saw this gem, a Samsung something? None of the company's staff knew what it was exactly,only that it had been very reliable and powered by a 12-litre non turbo Nissan Diesel regards Andrew." To which BLB replies yes I seem to recall a handful of these Samsung pumpers made it over to the UK---I'm sure Alan Bunting did a story on them way back for TRUCK...ring a bell AB? Now click through here for more pristine pumpers....

"Hi Brian," says Nick Garlick, "I've been sitting on this pic for a while. I was told it's a one of T cab extended that was built for the Aussie road train market. Ideal for the 25.25m combis that are on trial in some countries...Regards,Nick." mmmm....Topline T-cab, nice.

I've just (re)discovered these shots from Ron Johl which have been hiding in my e-mail inbox for far too long so Biglorryblog's apologies Ron! He says: "Hello Brian , could this be the only time these Texas trucks are brought together only as pics or will we ever see them at a Rally side by side? First pic was taken at Santa Pod the Marmon is/was (it's up for sale) owned by P Nash he also owns the Peterbilt." Have things moved on since then wonders BLB? Now click through here for more....

Tim Cotton has dug these up from his archives and e-mails me: "Brian, here are some holiday photos from Lake Iseo, Italy in 2007.  The hotel room looked down on the main road so some of these were taken looking down from there. There's a Fiat-cabbed OM and an Astra cement mixer. Tim."

Anmd for a pizza...who were the original members of Iveco? And what's happened to them since? Now click through here for a couple more... 

Thought you might be missing some decent BIG lorries on Biglorryblog so where best than to visit the Western Star Australia website where you'll find some fabulous 'Star's including this selection of cream-of-the-crop cattle carriers....

Chalmers triple-trailer outfit kicking up the dust....now click through here for one more...