Category Archives: Photos

I Love Dutch Trucks! 

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I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, if I have my time again Lord please let me be Dutch. Not just the home of the best curry sauce in Europe, not just home to the tallest men in Europe, not just home to Europe’s only native wooden shoe and not just home to the most beautiful blonde  people in Europe (Sorry Sweden!), but home to what I consider to be the best looking trucks in Europe and possibly the world. The vast majority of Dutch trucks are painted and by this I don’t mean over the top or hideous colours. Very few trucks are sold in the manufactures standard white and plastic, but on the opposite side of the scale when have you ever seen a fleet of over top painted trucks?? Never. They all seem to be painted to just the right level, subtle, stylish, simple and generally stunning! Just look at the ever delightful Chickliner fleet…..


Living near to Harwich I see plenty of Dutch trucks, but even with all the gorgeous flower trucks that come in and out of the port with all of our Friday gifts for our partners(!), the fleet of Chickliner trucks stands out. White trucks yes, but full white paint with simple lines and painted wheels. As far from a plain white truck as a painted white truck can be! Match these gorgeous paint jobs to another Dutch invention, the full custom interior. The Netherlands is home to 3 or 4 custom cab interior companies but one of the original and best known is the one and only Special Interiour. The Hazelanger Scania is another of Special Interiours creations and sumptuous is probably the best English word to describe it, not sure on the Dutch translation though. I’ve not seen another custom Interiour company who make their work look so, hmm, look so right. The work carried out looks like a manufacturer finish rather than aftermarket if that makes sense. 


Yes I like Italian trucks and yes I like Spanish trucks, Danish trucks can be pretty close but for me Dutch are top of the league. Long live the Hoek Harwich ferry and long live the Truckstar Festival!! 

2016 Photo Review

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I virtually always start a blog with a photo but for this one I thought I’d do something a little different. Seeing as we are into 2017, Happy New Year by the way, I thought I’d do a little photo review. 2016 was not much different from any other year, a number of truck shows through the year and a good 1000-1500 photos taken I should think. Just having a quick flick through my Flickr albums I wanted to paste a few of my favourites up here for you to see. If you feel like voting for a bit of fun then please cast your vote using the number of the photo. 

  1. Taken by my pal James Cartwright on our way back to the ferry after another excellent weekend in Assen. A gorgeous old Volvo coming through!
  2. A classic line up from the Retro Truck Show at Gaydon. Taking me back to my childhood and the trucks that got me hooked!
  3. Another one from the Retro Show. Not such a retro truck but Shaun Burtons awesome T-Cab Scania parked near the lake. 
  4. Next up was this one I took on the Hipstamatic camera app on my phone. Great App that shuffles your camera settings and can produce lovely rich photos, in this case of my beloved Mercedes-Benz. 
  5. Next, the first of a few more from the Truckstar Festival back in July. A truly photographic place for trucks. A night of rain can produce some great results. Again taken through The Hipstamatic app. 
  6. One of the Englishmen abroad. There isn’t a finer fleet from the UK if not Europe in my book. Coles & Sons in Assen with Convoy and Vendetta. 
  7. Needs no words. Truckstar Festival, Assen. Mrs McKee and Mrs Gibson. 
  8. Pure 100% Dutch. If your new to the world of international custom trucks, then this photo sums up Dutch trucks in one. 
  9. Much like number 2 but a Dutch line up. Could be any year you like from the late 1970’s!
  10. Finally our man Steve Marsh and his little MAN up in the French Alps. Marshy is doing all the things I didn’t in my little Tonka toys, so I’m always grateful for his photos. Taken by Marshy himself. 

That’s just a selection of everything, if you want to see more then go to my Flickr page by clicking HERE and looking through the albums. Just for fun pleasecast your votes. Hopefully 2017 will prove to be as enjoyable with quite a few trips to various shows already in the pipeline and of course I think Assen is on the cards again this year. Fingers crossed! 

ERF’s Anonymous 

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Edwin Richard Foden must have been a true British gent with a love of engines and eye for the finer things in mechanics and engineering. Afterall in 1881 the Foden family built there first steam engine but by 1898 Edwin had designed and built the first steam wagon that ran on very early single steel wheels the ore cursor to modern trucks as we know them. These days whether you love them or you hate them I’m convinced everyone one of us in the UK has a connection to an ERF for some reason. 

“Hello my name is Ben and I’m a member of ERF’s Anonymous.”

Go on tell me, on the quiet if you wish, we’re all friends here. I was brought up on ANC Parcels ERF E10 night trunks. The first trucks I drove as a young’un and they had the brilliant Eaton Twin Splitter!  Then my dad worked for a local company, Courtenhams, for a short time and I did night time deliveries (even on school nights!) with him in varying different vehicles of the all ERF fleet. 

With the advent of retro truck shows and social media where people post various things up for sale or we can follow trips and runs each of you are doing. I have noticed recently that nearly all of you have had an ERF moment at some time. I’ve seen some Cummins videos online in a Land Rover and the noise instantly makes me think of an ERF. I’ve seen some for sale with the big Hummin Cummins and 525hp on tap. I’ve seen someone has bought a LHD 4×2 one back from Spain and is now using it on long haul trips from the UK out across Europe. I still see ex Spanish ones up for sale and I have to say they are getting more and more appealing! Can anyone tell me why?? I can only deduce that the simplistic, pre computerised, Cummins humming, British built old boy of the road just has English-appeal. Not sex appeal, English-appeal. Ok they can be a little shy of a hill but I’ll struggle to believe anyone who says they have neither a closet-love of the Cheshire beast or have never had to drive one for work whether they wanted to or not. Just look at the green beast above (not my photo but thanks to the taker. Carl Jones??). What isn’t there to like? Big lightweight cab, tag axle, 525hp Cummins, aftermarket exhausts, Built in Britain. If not the green ECX how about the black beauty below? Big lightweight cab, tag axle, 525hp Cummins, aftermarket exhausts, Built in Britain. 

Don’t tell anyone but I like an ERF.

First Truck Photos Please

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This weekend can you all post photos of your first truck please?? Just a bit of fun following on from a thread from a few friends. 

This was my first truck. I ordered when I was 18 and about to leave college. I bought a DAF as they were the only ones who would sell to me at that age. Incidentally the photo below was my first European trip aged 18 with a load of Herbal teas out to Venray near Venlo in NL. 

Please post your photos and tell us all a little about it. Looking forward to lots of retro 7.5 tonners! 

Swedefest 2016

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And now for something a little different….. You have all heard of Gathering of The Griffin, but did you all know that this year it became Swedefest this year?? Unfortunately due to circumstances beyond the organisers control this year, GOTG had to move premises and therefore had to incur extra costs, meaning the show desperately needed more entrants. What to do? Whether you like either or, everyone likes a Swedish truck of one marque or another, so why not  put them altogether at one show…..great idea. So there it was, Swedefest 2016 was born. 

As discussed on here many times over last few months or couple of years, small truck shows are becoming far more enjoyable and far more accepted than the big shows of old. Is it that the shows are organised by truck people for truck people? Yep. Rob Bilman and Michelle Lines are very much truck people. I could stop the write up now as the show is down to them and that’s what makes it personal and 110% enjoyable. I’ve been a participant, a sponsor, a judge and a man with his son looking at trucks at this show and its right at the top of the list when it comes to trucks shows as they are now becoming. With the additional of Volvo’s this year I think it’s rounded the show to a wider audience. Walking around the show ground was once again a pleasure, the new venue was destined to be a truck show ground at some point. The organisers had split the area down the middle and parked Volvo facing Scania. It was awesome. 

Firstly the Volvo’s. I’m not a big Volvo boffin so I’m not to confident in my knowledge of the different versions but there were plenty on show. It was lovely to see so many variations to be honest as I’d never realised there were so many. There were a few which stood out for me and they are below. The white FH reminds me of one I fell in love with on the world super boat tour in the mid 1990’s! This truck is the perfect example of less is more. The blue F12 was a real cracker. Sums up 1980’s trucking for me and it turned out to be one of the biggest winners at the show, rightly so. Last but not least Mark Farrows gem of an FH. In Volvo pro-mo green, there is a long story to this truck and I hope to tell it to you one day, but I need Mr Farrow to put pen to paper for that to happen. 


As for the Scania trucks on show, well it never ceases to amaze me the quality of trucks that Scania owners put out is pretty remarkable. My favourite Scania’s are definately the 3 series but you have to appreciate that Scania do have a fairly unique following compared to all the other manufacturers. 

I happily sponsor the Best 3 Series class at the show and I was warned by both Rob and Michelle that this year would be the toughest year yet, they weren’t wrong. This year I did have my 6 year old son helping me to make the decision and I have to say his simplistic view on judging will be carried through to next year. As hard as the judging was, we ended up deciding that Marten Hazeleger’s Chickliner Streamline was a very worthy winner. Gently customised with the addition of the Dutch effect made it a little too irresistible. I know he won’t believe me but Mr Payne and his delightful green and gold Centurion couldn’t have been in a closer 2nd place this year. 3rd place would have been last years winner, Darran Heath. 

All in all this is a small show with BiG trucks and the mixing of the two Swedish marques did work for me. I know the effort that goes into this show every year is incredible but I’m sure you’ll all agree that it is much appreciated by us lot and I’d like to say to Rob, Michelle and the team that the show is a true success. I hope next year that we can once again break the number of trucks booked in and that turn up. Get the date in your diary for next as this is a unique show that you really can’t afford to miss. 

Retro Truck Show 2016

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Still the best show in the U.K. 

Oh do I have to say anymore?? Much like another excellent show this is run by Truck enthusiasts for truck enthusiasts, I don’t think there is a better way to run a show. It’s so so not about the money it is just all about the trucks and truck people. I made a point this year of making sure I got the whole of Saturday and Saturday night at the show before a very early dash from Gaydon to Snetterton at 5am Sunday morning. 


When you arrive at Gaydon you could be mistaken for thinking it’s not a very big show, the venue seems quite small compared to others. Once you have walked down you instantly realise that much the same as Lopik in Holland, this show is all about the quality. There is quality every where you look. On the Saturday there are still lots of trucks arriving and there is never quite as many trucks as there is in the main show day of Sunday but none the less it’s still the best show to be at on either day. One thing you notice is that your actually glad it’s a relatively small show as you meet so many familiar faces that you have more chats and conversations than the WI’s annual conference. 

What I love is that everyone at the show is there because they love trucks, some will tell you til their blue in the face that they aren’t, but they are still there looking at and talking trucks. I met plenty of friends and old faces and not to mention new ones. One particular ex Ralph Davies driver springs to mind (not you NLG!), that I am resisting the temptation to call and text every 5 minutes as I know one conversation is not going to be any where near enough to share his stories.  The thing I struggle to get across to Mrs Blog is how friendly and open truck drivers can be, we all can lead a lonely existence as a driver and when you meet other like minded folk (not those who park and draw the curtains) it’s nice to have a good chat and a drink to share new or old tales of the road. DANGER: This could be getting a little romantic. What this gathering has achieved is a group of people who through a single connection, pretty well know everyone there and the more the merrier as far as I’m concerned. 

As I am a mere whipper snapper, it makes me think that Gaydon is much like one of those well known, golden era truckstops where everyone stops as there will always be another Brit there. It’s a hard thing to imagine these days but the main stay of drivers I know would stop if they saw you pulled over on the side of the road and I think it is one of the positives of Facebook. At least now those who are made of old school stuff can see who else is in the same place through the power of the internet and I have often seen that friends I have on Facebook are meeting up at the few Truckstops or parks that are still open, which must be the modern take on camaraderie. Not quite the same as the 70’s and 80’s but as close as it’s going to get. To this end Lee Herbert has managed to create an event which for me at least gives me what I think is a slight step back in time to the golden era I missed out on. 

The trucks on show are a real mix of everything that made the trucks of today what they are. The general premises is that all entrants must have been built before 2001, with a few exceptions. I love to see the F series Volvo’s, the 2 and 3 series Scania’s as well as the slowly increasing number of Mercedes SK’s, this is what I spent my child hood dreaming of and spotting on the road. I am certain that the amount of retro trucks is growing at a fair pace each year and there are always new trucks on the scene. The fact the trucks are coming from further and further afield is both testiment to the show itself and the fact that more owners are wanting to show off their pride and joy among like minded fans of commercial vehicles. I have to agree with the shows stance on not giving trophies, as it would just be impossible to choose any winners. Every truck has a story and tale to be told whether it’s the trucks history or the work it’s taken to get these old road heros back turning a wheel. If you could see the photos of when Nobby Caister found his F88 and how long it has taken to restore it to its former glory, well, the man deserves a medal!!

A few beers Saturday night unfolded plenty of tales and I wish every driver could tell his tale but there just isn’t enough time and I have no idea how to record everything, but if your a young driver you need to sit and listen to some of the 50+ year old drivers as most could tell you a good yarn worth hearing and passing on, like trucking folk law! I woke at 5am Sunday in the cab of a Scania 141 top bunk, still wondering how they were ever double manned, and I wandered towards the gate just looking at all the sleeping trucks and a I had a crazy thought, how many miles/KM’s have all those truck covered between them??! Answers below please. I turned the corner to the gate only to be greeted by Eoin McGinnity and his beloved ex Astran 143. Eoin was on his first leg of the aid run to Belarus and I have to say it couldn’t be a better end to 24 hours at Gaydon. The thump, thump, thump of a warm 3 series V8 is a sound I’ll never tire of hearing. 

Last year Truckblog readers voted the Retro show as their favourite of 2015 and I can’t see the result being any different this year. For me the best show in the U.K. By far (bar one!) and I am already planning to try and spend the whole weekend at 2017’s and I can only suggest that you do the same. You will not be disappointed. 

Simple Swede

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Another Truckstar Festival corker in the shape of Swedish registered Volvo. The new Volvo has long been a love it or hate truck for me. Out of all the new trucks on the road that need the plastics painting to make them look better I have to say the Volvo needs the extra paint more than most in my opinion. An FH with painted grill can look awesome and one of the best examples from Assen is this. Keeping with this years top truck fashion tip “Less is More” this big Swede was in my top 3 from this years Truckstar Festival. 


Taking a closer look the truck is painted from roof deflected down to the tyres in just two colours, a deep red and black. Painting the front end to disguise the plastics and also painting different parts in either colour really makes this truck stand out. I think I also like the debaged look. Everyone has different thoughts on the Volvo badge placement and whether you should stick to the old look or embrace the new badge position, so remove all badges and it solves the debate! Also it really keeps to “Less is More”. The other this that makes this one of the best I saw was the tag axle or as we are Dutch, the rear bogie lift! These Volvo’s are just perfect with the rear lift and I have to say one of my other favourite FH’s at the show was also tag axle. On the flip side there was a very similarly painted FH to this one but it was a midlift and for me it was no where near as attractive. 


Not sure what the interiour was like as the doors were shut when I took the photo above probably because of the rain that you can see falling. The Scandinavian style lights down each side and the orange ones on the front end we’re all set off by a proper police type light bar on the roof. Flashing in red and blue in the dark made the truck a real understated show stopper and it was interesting that it didn’t seem to get so much attention as some of the others parked in the show truck area. Cracking truck with Swedish style and perfection. Subtle, simple and stunning. 

OMG it’s Bloody MARVEL….lous 

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Yes I’m a truck anorak/geek/pervert what ever you want to call it. Since the age of 7 or 8 I could tell you what the truck a mile ahead was just by looking at it. Mrs Blog thinks I’m odd as I just look at truck photos, she describes it as “just staring and taking it all in” – fair comment I think. I’ve been to truck shows around Europe and also in the United States and seen a fair number of trucks in my time. Once in a while I see a truck that just leaves me lost for words, this is a rare occasion I can tell you and to be honest it’s just a reflection of the machine in front of me. 

 

A few months back I found out about a new custom truck that was in build and luckily enough I’m friends with the man in charge of the airbrush, which meant I was privy to a few early photos of what was going on. If you didn’t read it, then click HERE and have a read of “Templeton O’Heck”. 

The Superhero truck stopped me in my tracks when I saw it in the flesh at Peterborough Truckfest. Quite often when you see a custom truck, you like it or you can appreciate it but it’s just not your cup of tea. Perhaps it’s too gaudy, perhaps the colour is just to in your face, perhaps the interiour is like someone has emptied the complete contents of every tin of paint from a DIY shop onto the dashboard and seats! Like with everything all truck fans have their own preferences which is exactly why we all put our own stamp on our own truck.  

    
 
Having seen some in-build photos I wasn’t sure how the Supertruck made me feel, but I can safely say that I don’t think I’ve ever seen a custom truck that I like more than this. I know loads of you will disagree and that’s your perogattive but for me it is just spot on! I’ve said before that I wouldn’t run another airbrushed truck myself and I much prefer a simple Dutch or Danish paint job, but Superheros just blows that all away, I want it! The attention to detail is incredible, but it’s what we are all beginning to expect from Coles Customs in Banbury (GB), the work the lads there do is as good as if not better than anyone else in Europe. Next we have Matt the Painter. For more years than I care to remember Matt has been producing paint jobs on vehicles that are as good as any famous artist. When you get a moment just look at the realism in any of his artwork, Matt should be doing framed pieces and selling them for hundreds of thousands of £’s in my book. Matt is easily as talented as any famous artist you wish to mention.  

 

Attention to detail is both small and large on this truck. For all those who will never see it, Supermans cape doesn’t finish as it goes out of view on the top of the cab. I can assure you that the cape ripples and flows all the way to the rearmost edge of the cab top air deflector. 

   
Yes the exterior is incredible, the colours and the shear number of Superheros Matt has added to the panels of the truck is nothing short of mind blowing and yes I love it! For me the make or break of a custom truck is the interiour. Again usually, I like the simple brown leather or suede retrimming that the Dutch have made there own and when Matt told me he was airbrushing the interiour with more Superheroes I was a little sceptical!  

    
 
You might not agree, but I love it! I think it’s because it’s just black and white like its pen on paper, it just works. It’s some how not in your face and not over the top, or is it just me?? While I’ve been writing this I’ve been thinking what it must look like in the dark, no doubt it’s has some interiour lighting, does anyone have any photos please? You know what it’s like when you see a crazy interiour and we all say it; “I couldn’t sit in there all day, it’d drive me crazy!” Well in this case I’d happily give it a go and I think I’d be very pleased to call it my office. I don’t think this level of customisation has been seen in the UK but I very much hope it’s the start of many more. Quite often new ideas do get copied and trends start, this truck is a masterpiece and I’d have no qualms in buying it when the Templtons have had enough of it. Hopefully we will see more trucks to this standard and I’m sure all involved would happily try and create more masterpieces to this new level. There are no more words to describe it so I suggest you get to a truckshow this year to see it. It’ll blow your mind one way or another, for me it’s defdinately a good way. Awesome just bloody Awesome. 

    
   

Truckfest 2016

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And the winner of best demo fleet colours goes to Volvo Trucks UK! With the gleam of the sun I kid you not, that blue is good enough to rival Scania’s Bluestream blue. Both myself and my 6 year old son decided to go to Peterborough this year for two reasons;

1) John Templetons new Scania “Superheros” (for me!)

2) Swampthing – The monster truck for my son. 

   
 

Let’s start with the Superhero truck. Although I don’t really know what to say! There are lots of themed trucks around some which are tasteful, some over the top and just a few that are mind blowing, above mind blowing I don’t know what the best word to use is. Whatever you think is better and more impressive than the beat around will fit. I’ve owned and operated an airbrushed truck and I have to say I don’t think I’d do it again but when you see Superheros I don’t think you can do anything but stand back and admire the work and effort that has been put into creating nothing short of a masterpiece. The paint and artwork puts modern artists to shame, I think this could be airbrush artist Matt’s greatest achievement to date. I’ll say no more as I’ll do a seperate blog on it. All I can say is that there were more new, big money trucks at Peterborough this year than I have seen in I don’t know how many years. Big Volvos, Tcab Scanias, custom Mercedes-Benz, well painted DAFs, just all sorts. 
   
   

All the main truck manufacturers were present and all with impressive stands. Once again Mercedes-Benz had a large area covered in all shapes and sizes of the three pointed star. Celebrating 20 years of the Actros MB had one of each of the four generations of Actros on show. Mercedes-Benz have so far sold over 1 million Actros and counting. I ended up taking too many photos of the four truck line up, but for me the best is the MP2 Black Edition Actros (2nd from the left). I just love it, perhaps it’s because it’s the one I wanted when I had my own Actros.  

 

As Truckfest has always done, there were trucks from all industry sectors and all  shapes and sizes. It’s always nice to see a little Tonka toy on show. Owned and operated by KE Express she looked tidy. The beauty of Truckfest is that your truck doesn’t  have to be all blinged up and crazy artwork. Just any everyday truck that fancies a weekend off is welcome! 

 

There were a good few old timers hanging around…..plenty of retro trucks too. For me these older motors are where my interest lies. Keeping some of these old trucks in show condition is imperative in my book. We don’t have fields of scrap trucks like in the USA so I think keeping them in working condition is the best thing to do. This way we can all still enjoy the glory days of UK haulage, one day I hope to join the retro club myself.  

  
As for the rest of the show, the usual ranks of working trucks fill the outer reaches of the show ground. Due to some wet weather in the weeks before there were some empty patches of grass that had sensibly been avoided by those doing the parking up. The last thing any driver wants is to be parked up in a boggy field for the weekend. I have to say in summary, apart from the weather being good, the show was quite enjoyable for a day visitor. A good few new trucks to look at and some great looking working trucks emerging from various corners of the U.K.  I still think the entry price is way over priced and I’m glad I get my tickets for free due to some corporate connections but in saying that it was well worth the trip for a boys day out. If nothing more than the smile on my sons face when Swapthing did its thing, I’m fairly sure we’ll go again next year.