For a brief period in the mid 1960s the Loadstar became a familiar site on Britain’s roads, after International set-up a production plant over here.
According to this Motor Transport advertisement, the tough, powerful, solid and dependable Loadstar was available as both a 7-8.5-ton rigid and as a 19-ton artic. And why would you want to buy one? Because of “low initial investment with unrivalled performance and long-lasting economy,” of course.
Does anyone have any experience with these?
According to Citroen's PR guru Phil Reed (who used to have my job on Motor Transport), these right-hand drive Internationals had a UK-type driveline. He's pretty sure that there would have been a Perkins diesel under the bonnet.
He recalls a Watchdog-type TV programme in the 1970s which uncovered widespread overloading in the UK haulage industry - and says the Loadstar was the star of the show. Anybody remember what it was called?
Chris Gardner adds:
Not only a UK driveline (Perkins engine at least) but also IH assembled Loadstars in Yorkshire too. They took over the old Jowett factory at Idle, but I've a recollection that the lorries were assembled in Doncaster.
One haulier on particular went for them in a big way: Bradley Transport Services of Accrington was said to have a fleet of over 100 running, and they were certainly worked hard with 20T payloads on the back of Perkins-powered tractors pulling single-axle trailers!
One ex-Bradlet tractor has survived, and has been restored into Jack Bradley's colours.
Comments (3)
Not only a UK driveline (Perkins engine at least) but also IH assembled Loadstars in Yorkshire too. They took over the old Jowett factory at Idle, but I've a recollection that the lorries were assembled in Doncaster.
One haulier on particular went for them in a big way: Bradley Transport Services of Accrington was said to have a fleet of over 100 running, and they were certainly worked hard with 20T payloads on the back of Perkins-powered tractors pulling single-axle trailers!
One ex-Bradlet tractor has survived, and has been restored into Jack Bradley's colours.
Posted by Chris Gardner | October 29, 2007 5:27 PM
Posted on October 29, 2007 17:27
There are 2 loadstar tractor units I know in preservation from Jack Bradleys fleet (Accrington).They both attend shows around the north of England (Cumbria Steam Gathering)annualy.I spoke to an ex Bradley driver some years ago he said some of these trucks had V8 petrol engines and were bought cheap from International Harvester as a result.They were built at the Doncaster factory alongside agricultural tractors.
Posted by Andy Bury | December 28, 2007 7:37 PM
Posted on December 28, 2007 19:37
Actually Andy, only one of the International tractors owned by Bob Parker is ex-Bradley. the other is simply restored into Bradley's colours.
The ex-Bradley one was bought secondhand by Bradley. I vaguely recall that it's original operator was Howarth Brothers of Royton. Normal engine for Bradley's was the Perkins, but it didn't stop them putting serious weights behind them - and on single axle trailers too!
Posted by Chris Gardner | January 2, 2008 4:38 PM
Posted on January 2, 2008 16:38