Retro Power Lining

Posted on January 20, 2015 by truckbloguk

Last week I had an enjoyable couple of days on a course up at Wentworth Park near Barnsley. The idea was to learn all about the wonders and advances of Mercedes-Benz trucks compared to it competitors and even from where I’m standing it’s hard to see why you wouldn’t run MB on your fleet in some capacity. Everyone knows and thinks it’s funny I’m such a Scania fan but I work for Mercedes-Benz, but as my regular readers will know back in the days of running my own trucks Mercedes were the only choice for me. I’ve ways maintained that if I was ever to start again I would have an all MB fleet but have some old Scania or two for the show circuit. The only thing that has changed since my time at Orwell Trucks Mercedes-Benz is that I think if probably have to have an old SK or Powerliner for the show season too.
So imagine my delight when parked close to the entrance of my training course was this delightfully restored 1834LS. The vehicle has been restored by MB and is to be kept and used at various shows, in fact some of you would have seen it at the Retro Truck Show at Gaydon last year.

The vehicle was originally sold by Rygor Commercials to a company called Premier Waste. It must have then been returned after contract hire to Mercedes-Benz where it was once again purchased by Rygor Commercials (this was likely to be a paperwork exercise and the vehicle would have stayed at Rygors). In 2003 Rygor loaned the vehicle to SDC, a division of Honda at Swindon, where it was used as a shunter. Then in 2009 it was bought again by MB Approved Used Commercials. Since then the truck has been restored and repainted using genuine parts where possible. I think she’s lovely although I’m sorry to say we didn’t have time for a lesson in driving an EPS gearbox correctly….one day. I have found a nice LHD 1953 for sale in Holland, tempting. The truck spec is listed as follows;

– 1st registered 6 November 1995 (N reg)
– Engine V6 Turbo 340hp
– 8 Speed Split EPS Gearbox
– L Sleeper cab
– ABS brakes
– Drivers electric window
– Electric rear view mirror
– Luxury suspension seat for the driver
– Sunvisor
– 400 Litre fuel tank

What a little gem. I’m back at Wentworth Park in a few weeks so I hope to achieve the EPS training, if your reading Nick Smith?!? Any way this not the only retro truck, there were also two original Long Distance cabbed Mercedes-Benz Actros. Both trucks have genuine mileages of only a few hundred thousand Kilometres on the clock and are in great condition although I had forgotten how garishly awful the original seat covers and door cards were. Any way lots to see on this course so I hope the next one is just as enjoyable.

Centurions – Missing in Action….

Posted on January 10, 2015 by truckbloguk

A little while back the owner of #69 and the owner of #27 and myself (#35 or #89 or #90!) had an early morning get together at the Gathering of the Griffin for a full sit down update on where we are with tracking all 100 original Scania Centurions on, The Centurion List. Now the list itself is getting better and better and the information on all the trucks is growing all the time especially with things like the Scania Centurion trucks page on Faceache. Bearing in mind that I for one was a little jaded, the list run through took a couple of hours, although this could have been due to Neil Jarrold’s interruptions I’m not sure, anyway I will put up the updated list when I can remember how to publish it on here!

Having gone through the list we then got onto what could possible described as “the rumours” bit. A load of info we have but all pretty inconclusive so the best thing is to share it with you and hopefully once again you can fill in some of the blanks and knock some of the useless bits on the head.

Not sure how well you can see that but I hope you can. The Peter Roff truck is a very interesting case of Chinese whispers. We have a good idea of the story behind it but we would very much like to hear it from one of you that perhaps knew the Roff fleet or even drove for him at the time. The rest of the lines on the table (not those type!) are a rumour or unsubstantiated fact each, i.e. each line should refer to one truck. Please leave your feedback below as a comment or email me; ben@truckblog.co.uk. I think the Millar Transport truck MDZ 8140 is not a Centurion. I had a fairly good font of Irish knowledge say it wasn’t on the fleet and a second person commented that reg was on a BMW?! All this info you are giving will hopefully end up in a book all about the 100, so anything you can contribute is for the greater good of 3 series Scania lovers, any genuine info on any of the 100 trucks could be of use for that matter At some point I will need to gather high quality photos of each truck, now that will be a challenge!

Click on the link to see the updated Centurion list – Scania Centurion List
(Updated 10/01/2015)

TB Readers Best UK Show 2014

Posted on January 4, 2015 by truckbloguk

I thought this year I would put it to you readers, to see what was your favourite UK (that’s in the UK) truck show that you attended. I gave a list of options and also the “Other” option where you could name your own show if required. It is a little worrying that a couple of you put Truckstar Festival, Assen, Netherlands, Europe as your best UK truck show but I guess those votes may have been cast by fans of ~~twat~~ sat nav who haven’t realised there is a sea between us and the Netherlands. As with all votes not many took part but there were over 100 participants which gave a good average. The results for best UK truck show in 2014 were as follows;

1st Place: Retro Truck Show @ Gaydon (74% votes)

2nd Place: Truckfest Peterborough (8% votes)

3rd Place: Peak Truck Show Uttoxeter (6% votes)

I think it’s fair to say in this particular Poll the Retro Truck Show is a run away winner. I don’t know if it’s just the readers on here or what but even so 74% of votes to just 8% for 2nd place is what some would call a landslide victory! For me the Retro Show was a great show to visit. All the trucks of my childhood, Scania 2 and 3 series, Volvo F’s, ERF’s what more could you want. A family BBQ type atmosphere? Check. No stupid irrelevant market stalls? Check. People just talking trucks and drinking beer? Check. A few brand new trucks parked next to their ancestors so you can compare and contrast? Check. What more could you want? Classic Amercian trucks?? Check. Retro trucks from the Continent? Check. The list is endless. Hopefully the 2015 show will be just as good if not better, with a couple of new top sponsors I would expect the show to be near the top of next years Poll too. The photo above and the amazing line up below are just a couple of examples of the fine trucks on show at the Retro Truck Show held in September.

Not only are there all types of truck from the UK but there is an increasing presence from the continent. It seems that our European friends are just as keen to preserve the trucks from the golden years as we are. For me there were 2 German trucks and a Belgian that caught my eye in particular this year. A Scania 141 in full Middle East spec including Arabic writing on the front and chunky grip desert tyres. This truck has the look, although it is clean it’s not over polished or tyre foamed, giving it that “just got back to the yard” look.

The other German was a big 3 axle MAN 20.361 with a silo trailer. The trailer looked like it might have done a job to pay for its trip to the show, even so the truck was just what retro trucking is all about. Well preserved, could still earn a penny or two, no shiny wheels, just an everyday workhorse that has been lived and restored by a truck lover like all of us!

Finally the Volvo F12 Globetrotter. A truck that has been there and done it in all cases and liked by most if not loved. I remember seeing trucks like this on the motorway when I was a young’un, the yellow headlights and a Les Routiers sticker were always a true sign of a continental trucker! However you look at these trucks there will be a few that bring back happy memories I’m sure. The premiss of the show is all trucks manufactured between 1960 and 2000, with special entries to anything newer being arranged by the show organisers. A worthy winner of best show for 2014 and I look forward to going again this year. Definitely a fun show with something for everyone.

If your running a truck show in 2015 or you know of one that others need to know about, then please send me a flyer in .jpg or .pdf format and I’ll add it to the new “Truck Shows 2015” section on the Truckblog website. The more I’m sent the more shows we’ll all know about which can only be a good thing. It seems to me that smaller higher quality shows organised by truck people for truck people are becoming much more appealing that the huge truck festivals organised by promotional companies to make them money.

My Best Truck of 2014

Posted on January 1, 2015 by truckbloguk

For me this is the best truck I have seen in 2014. It might not be the newest, it might not be most practical for most of Europe and it certainly won’t be everyones taste but for me, spot on.

If you live in the UK and haven’t been to one I strongly advise that you make 2015 your first trip to a European truck show, the standard of trucks is amazing. I can’t deny that the trucks here in the UK are getting better and better but the Europeans just seem to have it right, they all look good. To me the best trucks have always been out of reach of what I could afford or achieve and the T560 is no different. We all joke about winning the lottery but a Tcab would be very close to the top of my list. It’s blue, it’s got two sets of pipes, it’s got a subtle custom interior and enough lights to make it look good but not over the top. As with anything I would make a few subtle changes as I’d want to put my mark on it.

2014 has seen a big rise in the blogs popularity through all mediums, the Facebook page, twitter and the good old fashioned http://www.truckblog.co.uk website. I’m not going to link to any of those this time round as I’m sure you all could do with a break from the ruthless links and plugs for the blog. I have no idea where the blog will be in another 12 months, hopefully you’ll all still send me stuff, photos, info and the odd piece of trucking memorabilia to decorate TBHQ and I’ll keep bugging the TV companies in the vague hope they’ll see that we need Truckblog TV!

Hopefully I’ll be visiting, Truckfest Peterborough, Crowfield Truck Rally, Gathering of the Griffin, Retro Truck Show at Gaydon, more than likely (and hopefully) Truckstar Festival at Assen as my foreign trip, although I have heard on the grapevine that there is quite a convoy of English motors heading to the International Trucker & Country Show held at Interlaken, CH. I have always wanted to go James?? Finally if the offer is still there then I might just make it to Belfast too.

Anyway thank you for following and thank you for making the blog what it is, without your contributions I’m sure you’d all be bored silly of 143’s, MAN TGL LX’s and Mercedes-Benz photos! As we all do secretly say now and again Keep on Trucking!

Where is she now??

Posted on December 18, 2014 by truckbloguk

VRT 238X – where is she now I wonder?? I’ve been running through my last batch of photos from David Scarff an came across this delightful Scania. I know it’s a known truck and there are photos of it about but to me this is a cracker. It really gives a great example about the golden years of UK Continental trucking, the years when the trucks from the UK used to go everywhere. I think this Scania 142 was know for running to Hellas but in sure you’ll tell me better. I searched for it on the DVLA vehicle search and it says it’s not been taxed since 22nd September 1999 and it also says it’s not been exported (although I don’t believe that section of the search!). The colour is listed as multicolour too, so if she is still in the UK then who knows where about’s it is? Who was the last known owner? Any answers then leave them below please.

The Scania That Guy Built

Posted on November 12, 2014 by truckbloguk

So here it is people, the very truck that everyone’s man of the moment refurbished and rebuilt back to new condition is OFFICIALLY for sale. There have been a few rumours floating around on various social media, so lets put those all to bed and say that yes it is for sale. The Grimsby Gangster a.k.a. Mick Moody has confirmed that he is willing to sell his pride and joy….of course for the right money. The truck itself is a genuine left hand drive Scania 143 500 Topline Streamline new on the road in Switzerland in September 1996.

There is a fair amount of pedigree now attached to this truck as it was rebuilt by the one and only, bike racing, mad-haired, Spitfire building, all-round nice bloke, new Fred Dibner, truck mechanic extraordinaire Mr Guy Martin. This has been well documented by everyone and there is even a video of Guy and the truck available to watch by clicking on the YouTube video below. We now know that Guy’s mechanical engineering skills are no longer just good enough to be a race motorbike builder or an amazing truck mechanic but he is also an accomplished Spitfire builder too. I have never seen the truck in person but for me, with the fact that Guy has rebuilt it, I can only imagine that it has been given his usual complete and utter attention and laid back professionalism…..I would think that if you ask nicely when you pick it up from Grimsby you might even be able to get Mr Martin’s autograph somewhere on the truck.

The truck is like new and there really are only a few trucks out there that have been refurbished back to a new condition. The main reason being the cost. Cost has not been much of a priority with this one as it was more important just to get it right and make it as it should be. The full spec of the truck is as follows;

Scania 143-500 Topline Streamline
Retarder
Air con
12 speed box
632.000 kms from new
Euro 2 – invoice here for conversion
Michelin tyres
Alcoa Durabrites
Twin air horns
Twin Eminox exhausts
Fully restored
Every nut and bolt new
Even new foam behind front grill
New everything Ben…..and of course rebuilt by our maverick Guy Martin!!

A couple of extra notes, it had its first MOT in August and it passed with flying colours. Also the personalised number plate will be removed before going to any new home. How much is it?, I hear you all asking amongst yourselves…..

Offers over £45,000 – tyre kickers not required!!

If you are seriously interested then please contact Mick Moody to discuss further and make sure you mention you saw it on Truckblog!

Office: 01472 345600
Mobile: 07802 225585
www.moodyinternational.co.uk

Vintage Vehicle Auction – 1st November

Posted on October 27, 2014 by truckbloguk

A little short notice but there is a decent looking Vintage vehicle auction coming up this weekend. Saturday 1st November at Donnington Park in Leicestershire. The auction has a number of vintage vans and trucks, all of which appear to be in very good condition. The auction is being held by auctioneers Thimbleby & Shorland and if you want to see the catalogue then click HERE.

J777 RDF & J888 RDF

Posted on October 11, 2014 by truckbloguk

You will or won’t know that Richard Payne, Dion Anderson and myself are busy trying to track and trace as many of the original 100 Scania Centurions as possible. Any info please email: centurion@truckblog.co.uk

In my book the two best Centurions were #89 and #90, both belonging to Ralph Davies International. Bother trucks were LHD 143 450hp 6×2 tag axle Topline Streamlines, perfect. You can’t get a better looking wagon! What I really want to do is find out as much about these two as possible when they were in use in the UK. Do you know any of Davies drivers who piloted either of these trucks? How far have either truck travelled across Europe and Asia? Any photos, contact info or information will be highly appreciated.

I know where J777 is now but no one knows where J888 ended up. An acquaintance of mine owned J888 after Davies but we’re not sure where it went after he had it. Again any help would be great. Email me or leave a comment below.

Photos are from Facebook groups but credit to the photographers!

Retro Trailer Rescue

Posted on September 17, 2014 by truckbloguk

A fridge trailer in a field, (put your M&S advert voice on!) but it’s not just any fridge trailer in a field, it’s a 1982, Gray & Adams, tandem spread axle fridge trailer in a field! On top of that if the farmers memory serves him correctly he says he acquired the trailer (for fresh poultry storage) in 1990, which means that it served Christian Salveson for just 8 years before being parked up, which would explain it’s surprisingly good condition. Anyway, this trailer has been parked on the road between Hadleigh and Sudbury in Suffolk for as long as I can remember. So me being me, curiosity won and I went to find it a year or so ago. I drove in the farm yard and right through it and found the trailer. I had a call around to try and find someone with no luck, so I took a couple of photos and left. I do like to know where these trailers are lurking incase anyone wants one. At Truckstar Festival this year a certain young man with a known collection of classic trucks, mentioned during a beery conversation that he had started hunting for a 2nd fridge trailer to turn into another caravan trailer. Luckily I hadn’t had too many so I piped up and showed a photo of said trailer. A positive response. So I volunteered to go and talk to the farmer.

Again a positive response. It turns out that it was the perfect time to enquire as the decision had already been made to rid the farm of the trailer. I took a few newer photos of the trailer and it’s general condition and found the manufacturers plate and photoed that too. I spoke money with the farmer and that was that. I forwarded all info onto the interested party, he said yes to me straight away, so I put him in touch with the farmer and a deal was done.

Today was collection day. I managed to get over to see the highly skilled farmer pushing the fridge up the ramps with a chain and a dolly, straight as a die and up she went. Luckily the fridge had a folding rear bumper which helped with clearance both going up the ramps and also to clear the neck of the stepframe. Once on board it was all strapped and chained down and to beat the school traffic through the little Suffolk village high street, a quick exit was made. I ran ahead in my car and just asked a few locals to stay still which the whole outfit gently weaved through the high street. That was that and off to its new owners home.

The plan is to restore the trailer to its former glory and keep the famous blue and white livery then convert the inside into living accommodation.
As you can see this is a great find and a great trailer that has gone to a man who wants to preserve it just as it started life. If you know of any old trailers that need rescuing please please let me know. In my book trailers are in as much need to be saved as the trucks that pull them. Most trailers have long rusted away or been chopped down so any that are still in one piece should be saved. Now I’m not suggesting that every trailer can be bought and restored but at least if we know about them then perhaps we can help a few which will make the likes of The Retro Truck Show at Gaydon all the more enjoyable for us. Hopefully by Truckfest Peterborough next year this little restoration project will be complete. Fingers crossed.

Finally if anyone knows where their is a Petter fridge unit, please get in touch.

Retro Truck Show – 2014

Posted on September 15, 2014 by truckbloguk

THE BEST TRUCK SHOW IN THE UK. FACT.

Why?? I will tell you why, it’s a truck show, organised by a truck nut for other truck nuts, who love their trucks. Get it? a truck show is about the truck. Its not a truck show come Sunday market where you can buy chunky garden furniture and dog treats. It’s a show full of trucks from the best few decades of truck manufacturing that will ever be and the ladies and gents who bring their pride and joys to the show are all passionate enough about them to spend their spare time looking after them and in some cases still working them. Its a great show and the big boys of the show world would do exceedingly well to learn a few lessons of the simplicity of a great show. The premise for the show is any truck that was built between 1960 and 2000 can enter, although there are a few newer trucks too. Just to prove it is a show for the real enthusiast, there are no trophies or prizes to be won, its purely a meet for one and all to enjoy and meet other like minded truck nuts.

What an amazing Scammell Crusader! Its gems like this that appear that make the show what it is. If its your pride and joy you can guarantee that there will be others at the show that feel the same. I was only at the show on the Saturday which isn’t the official show day so unfortunately I didn’t get to see a full show ground, but what was there on Saturday was plenty. Lots of ERF’s, Seddon Atkinsons, Volvo’s, Scania’s, some Mercedes-Benz and many more. As with all shows these day’s a few trucks came with authentic trailers……….

The reason I was at Gaydon on the Saturday was, there was a Middle East drivers reunion and seminar. This year mainly to celebrate 50 Years of Astran and the start of the legendary Middle East run. Writer of the The Long Haul Pioneers, Ashley Coghill organised a truly memorable event, that incorporated hundreds of unseen photos from the pioneers of the Middle East run and even some cine-camera footage that was just incredible and made me realise just how difficult/amazing and unknown those early years must have been. You have to remember the modern day newbie truck driver can’t get from Heathrow to Cardiff without a Satnav, so how on earth these transport heroes got from London to Kabul/Bandar Abbass/Oman and even Doha with no twat-nav or mobile phones is bearly imaginable. The event was sold out and Ashley told me he could have easily sold twice as many tickets. The highlight for me was meeting the men who actually made these monumental trips week after week, month after month through scorching summers and freezing winters. I shook them all by the hand, real gents, and found myself stood between Peter Cannon, Graham Wainwright, John Frost and Gordon Pearce (read the The Long Haul Pioneers!) to name drop a few. I could have stood their for days listening to the stories, some one needs to get all their stories written down, they are just epic. I also took my copy of Ashleys book and managed to get them all to sign it. To say I was chuffed is an understatement, just ask the lady wife. All in all it was a truly unforgettable day.

Once again I will try to tell you that it’s an awesome little show, approx. 300-350 truck, but each one is the stuff of boy-hood dreams if you have your HGV license that is, no matter what your preference. For me an F series Globetrotter like the black one below or a 143 Streamline are my ultimate trucks they are just the nuts!! Incidently more from the Fleetwood F16 to come in the next few weeks.

From all over the UK, Belgium, Holland and Germany with trucks from the 1960’s through to the turn of the millennium you won’t find a better selection of trucks from yester-year. With a great atmosphere and every person being a bit of a truck nut, you can find some one with the same likes or even some one to have a bit of banter with about which is better. You have to put it in your diary for next year people, you’ll be missing out if you don’t.

Finally a big thank you and well done to Lee Herbert and Ashley Coghill for organising an amazing weekend with both the truck show itself and also the Middle East reunion, a really unique event.

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