Hey What’s your Number…

Posted on November 6, 2012 by truckbloguk

Yes ok it’s another Scania but this one needs a bit more input from you. This dear old girl has been relegated to the corner of some ones yard these days but what secrets does she hold from her past. Was she once an international motorway pounder? Was she the pride of an English fleet when she was the newest in the yard? If any of you have any information about said wagon please leave your comments below.

What’s the reg number? My guess is D853 PKK or possibly PXK. The letter behind the greenery does seem to replicate the K at the end, does it not Mr Watson?! As I’m sure you know most truck regs come in batches from particular dealers…….I’ve just searched tinternet and it can’t be “XK” as it didn’t exist. On that style of number plate the last 2 letters of the 3 denoted the area code. If the reg is “KK” that is the code for Maidstone or “KX” is the code to Luton. As its a “D” reg she was new in 1986. This gives you a few clues, so see what you can come up with. Hopefully a few more pics if the old girl at the end of the week.

Tell Me More, Tell Me More

Posted on November 3, 2012 by truckbloguk

I am told this was a cancelled order from Gilders, now owned by an Owner Driver from the West Country who goes by the name of Loopey!

It looks like an R560 tag axle Scania with a rather custard yellow paint job. You can’t say that this is a modest quiet owner driver motor with a paint job like that. Certainly one way to make yourself stand out from the crowd. Extra bars and lights, air horns and even a blind spot camera mounted on the aftermarket visor.

Now all you need to do is tell me a bit more about the wagon, what other gadget and customised but and pieces does she have?? Leave your comments or send me an email with you on the road spots perhaps?! My email is; ben@truckblog.co.uk

Coming Soon – LEV 701V

Posted on October 11, 2012 by truckbloguk

Here’s another old girl that has been saved from the scrap heap. This sleeper cabbed 4×2 Scania 111 has been nicely restored and when completed will be for sale, yes that right it will be for sale. This truck is LEV 701V, which was at one point part of the Brain Haulage fleet. Its been striped back to the chassis and the interior has been re-skinned and upholstered. I have to say that even in this condition it was beginning to look rather nice.

Just a plain red and white livery will adorn the truck, with the engine being painted in that Scania engine green. She will be a nice tidy motor when done and in my opinion will be good enough for shows as it is. Although the man in charge says its just having a “basic” job done! I have no idea what the price will be but if you are interested I can put you in touch but seriously no time wasters, if you haven’t the funds for such a purchase please leave it to those who can. More photos to come as and when she is complete and ready to roll. Have you got any photos of her in her Brain Haulage colors or any other colors?? Email me; ben@truckblog.co.uk

IAA Commercial Vehicle Show 2012

Posted on October 2, 2012 by truckbloguk

Just over a week ago on a wet and windy evening I landed back at Stansted Airport, complete with 5 blisters and a Bratwurst in my pocket. Last Monday I spent the whole day at the IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hanover, well it should have been 9-5 but the German bus driver side swiped a car on the Autobahn on the way, so we were a whole 45 minutes later than planned! This therefore put me onto the Volvo stand 45 minutes after everyone else, so by the time I found it the Swedish stand was already heaving with people gathering to see the ugly but intriguing new Volvo FH. I for one sat and watched the launch of said new FH on the Internet the other week and have to say I was part of the large amount of you who think it is as ugly as the front end of a bus. But when the new Mercedes Actros arrived I was also very sceptical until I saw it in the flesh.

Having sat up high overlooking the Volvo stand for quite a while I did come to the very simple conclusion that the reason it is “ugly” is only due to the grill, the actual shape is very tidy. We are so used to the badges of trucks being on the grill, is it just the case that it’s different, that is the cause of the visual unlikenment! I’m sure you have seen the photo shopped pictures of the new FH with the Volvo badge mounted on the grill and I think it looks so much better. I think there will soon be an after market pack to change the front of your new Volvo if you so wish.

Other than the grill issue, the shape of the new Volvo on the outside is rather nice and it seems different. Amazing how designers can make a shed on wheels constantly seem so different from manufacturer to manufacturer! As for the interior, well it is rather comfy. Gone is that old FH feeling of the front of the truck closing in on you. It feels huge inside (a whole extra cubic metre of space), with big lockers above the windscreen along with a rather nice sunroof panel (actually a real escape hatch!), a swivel passenger seat, a table, the list goes on and what ever I write on here won’t really do it justice. It is a Volvo and the quality is Volvo. Designed with you in mind, its super practical but also can be super comfortable if required. My overall opinion of the New FH has been changed. I like it….a lot. Ugly or not, it’s a Volvo, it’s practical, it will earn you money and keep your drivers happy.

On with the show… The Iveco stand with it’s new crown of Truck of The Year, was amazing orange. The crazy Italians have gone a little colour crazy, but I will say zis once, the Iveco stable gets more appealing!! There you go SW I really did say it, the new Hi-Way Stralis is ok.

DAF also went with orange, but it kind of suits the new childlike, cartoon front end of the XF, only problem being is that it’s not a kids toy. The DAF XF is one of the most popular trucks in Europe but i’m afraid DAF haven’t impressed many people with the new look, I for one am not keen. Are they old Mercedes Actros headlights?! Perhaps some slightly older adolescence should be offered the sweet bag when the next update is due.

The Renault stand gave me the feeling that they were trying to divert your attention away from the fact their centre piece was a 22 year old French piece of art. Although the Magnum is still different to the rest, the fact that Renault had the most beautiful girls to attract you in, the trucks were the same as when I went to Hanover in 2010. I’m not sure how they can or will replace the Magnum, but I think a breath of fresh air is required in Renault land.

Hide it, talk it down, do what you like, what ever you do the R730 Scania is still a beautiful thing in my eyes. On show in a nearly white, silver it is still an awesome piece of kit. If you have not driven the current generation of Scania trucks, then before you slate them, take one for a drive. I still feel there is no truck with a better, more confident ride, backed up with the legendary V8, all its needs is a little something on the inside, but i’m not sure what.

The Daimler hall was so impressive it was untrue. The size of a couple of football pitches. From the small vans right up to the new Actros, buses and Unimogs, all models were available for you to get your sticky paws on.

The new Actros in all it’s guises is highly impressive and I have to say that it is still in my top 3. Lovely looking truck. They had a nice little Atego on the stand, but it has to be said that it does need it’s new cab, which will bring it in line with the new range and the new look. More to come on my thoughts of the Atego replacement.

This just leaves the MAN hall. There was tons of other stuff to tell you about at the show and I will get round to it, but I thought you’d be happy with a general sum up of all the major players. MAN, like their German rivals had a large display, with loads of trucks and lots of buses, as well as the South American Volkswagen trucks. The normal trucks on the stand were popular and each truck has a couple of MAN employees to help guide you round each truck and answer your questions. There was a big special TGS 40.540 tractor unit designed for off road heavy haul use, and I wish i’d taken a few more snaps of the chassis and springs as it was a monster.

Also, much to my delight and also my annoyance, the gorgeous little TGL 12.250 was one of the most popular trucks on the stand. For my older readers you know I love a TGL and in Germany they are super popular. This particular one is the new Euro 6 model that will be available from January 2013. A new interior along with the new look grill and bumper, will surely mean that this little Tonka continues to be a huge hit. I just wish I could buy one to join the club! …….Dear Father Christmas………

The whole show was knackering. There is so much to see, but despite the bus drivers best efforts I just about had enough time to see it all and go back and see my favourite bits a second time. Probably a good year to go too, what with the new Merc’s, the new Iveco, new look DAF and of course the completely new Volvo, it was a good day out despite the blisters. I have loads more pics, yes I do, click HERE to see them. Also I will put more stuff I saw at the show on the blog over the next few months. As well as the normal trucks, there are stands of trailers, vans, parts, etc etc etc. In 2014, treat yourself and go. You might even see a full size Lego truck!

Now or Then??

Posted on September 7, 2012 by truckbloguk

What a cracking sight! If you were between Harwich and Halstead in Essex today there is just a chance you saw this classic combination on the road. N.C. Cammack & Son are a long standing family outfit based in Essex and have run all sorts of classic motors, including a load of old DAF’s that I will be showing you as and when I finally get the scanning finished. Any hoo this looks like it was taken back in 1993 when this truck would have been new, but it was actually taken today leaving Harwich docks. Sorry to say it wasn’t working, but Jim Cammack had to pick up the tilt that he bought over on the mainland. The delightful 450hp Swedish powerhouse is a recent addition to the fleet and has spent a fair amount of time in the restoration shed. The tilt has been bought to accompany a number of other restoration projects that are bubbling under in the Cammack workshops. Now luckily for me I’m popping over to see Jim tomorrow so hopefully I will have a few more pics to share with you……This isn’t going to help my cause as I’m still missing my 141, all this talk of trailers and classic motors. Perhaps as this combination will be based no more than 7 miles from Truckblog HQ, I may just get to see it a bit more and perhaps even a lget ittle bit of a drive one day?! Tell me honestly, if it wasn’t for the photos being quite so clear, you could have easily thought they were taken back in the day! Destination anywhere………

Wrecked to Riches

Posted on August 11, 2012 by truckbloguk

A few days back we were pushed for time at work with a trailer we were doing for Mammoet, so to try and help out and get back on track I popped off to Needham Market to do the first drop. All the paper work said was “1 x Scania Cab”. Being ever hopeful I was hoping it would be an old one and really why would you put any type of new cab on a groupage trailer from Holland. For those locals who know, the delivery was to Canacraft, now becoming well know for excellent paint jobs of various trucks and also for an old Scania 143 that they restored to name a few. Have a look at the gallery and you’ll see some other you recognise. The 143 now gone they have got into 1 series Scania’s. On arrival there was an old 111 sat in the corner of the yard, that has definitely seen better days, an ex Brain Haulage one as it goes. For those of you who are thinking it, no I didn’t get the reg! Any way I naturally assumed the cab would be for that, but no I was wrong! After opening the trailer up it was clear it was going to take a little time to get it off. Sat on its back on a Euro Pallet. To be honest it had come all the way from Greece like it and there was hardly a mark on it. Being the helpful chap I am, I helped get the cab off and then we spent 10 minutes rolling it round off the pallet and sitting it on a frame ready for a bit of work. The cab itself is in good nick and doesn’t need a great deal of work. I was actually quite keen on the colours too. Anyone recognise the stripes??

As I said, I assumed that the cab was for the 111 on wheels in the yard, I was wrong. It turns out the 141 cab is going onto a 141 chassis…..

….The MRCT cab is rotten! Right through it is all rust and holes and really to far gone to save. In true Scania V8 style she still has life in her. If you can get into the drivers seat missing the holes in the floor and the door doesn’t fall off, push the key in and hit the glorious piece of mechanic romance that is the starter button and she grumbles into life. You may be wondering what Canacraft are planning on doing with the 141…let me enlighten you further. The old girl was originally a 4×2 tractor unit but at some point was stretched and had a wrecker body put on and was used as the MRCT breakdown truck for a number of years, before being retired and left to rust in the corner (MRCT should be ashamed!). The plan is to chop the chassis once more and put her back to her original set up as a tractor unit, then back to the show circuit. Surely all old trucks of this vintage should be given the chance to get old gracefully rather than rust away in the corner?? Nowadays all our aging trucks are exported so in 10 years time you wont be able to find an early 4 series or a tidy FH16 Globetrotter as they will have all gone to warmer climbs. Lets make the most of our veterans that we have left, afteral they got us to where we are today!

Does anyone have any photos of HVF 520V in any of her previous guises? Email them over and i’ll put them up here; ben@truckblog.co.uk be good to see her as a tractor unit. Canacraft plan to do both the 111 and the 141 up but will probably do the 111 up to a decent standard and then sell her on…..a little tip there! I look forward to seeing the 141 hit the shows next year I guess, having seen the 143 that came from the Needham Market stable, I’m sure that both these old Scania’s will be rather sort after.

Wilson Wednesday

Posted on August 8, 2012 by truckbloguk

“Finally another blog” – Twas the cry from the depths of the Internet. I know, I know and once again I apologise. Been so busy with work, baby prepping the house and everything else, mixed in with a serious lack of blog content. But as usual in the next few weeks the blog content is likely to go completely the opposite way, lots coming up so hopefully it’ll become a little more regular once again, so please please keep checking back.

A quick Wilson Wednesday this evening, just so you can keep an eye on what those H.C. Wilson boys are upto. As it goes the above photo is a good place to start and it’s not even officially a Wednesday job, but I didn’t think you’d be too fussed about a days difference between friends. Each year H.C. Wilson and top Wilson customer, Portcentric Solutions have to do a delivery to a large estate in Sussex. For no real reason other than it’s a nice little jolly out for the directors of both companies, it has now become a little outing in Wilson’s legendary Scania 141. So loaded up and ready to roll, drop a larger machine at Tilbury dock on the way and then onward to the country lanes of Sussex. Thanks to top retro, Yorkie bar eating trucker, David Baker for the photos.

Next up below is Jon Pryke with X300 HCW. Loaded with crane parts from Germany to London. I see that Jon’ photographic skills are still the same! 😉

Next, H.C. Wilson driver, turned office boy, now day relief driver James Cartwright was out and about today in V8 HCW, a Scania R580, delivering a load to Leamington Spa that he loaded in Felixstowe yesterday. An office boy having a night out??? (wait til next week – its not only happening at Wilsons!).

The gorgeous Scania R560 V8 of Owner Driver Mike Tasker is also keeping busy backwards and forwards to the continent. This time having loaded a cable drum from Koln, Germany heading back to the UK. Looking good pulling a 2 axle Nooteboom low loader.

Last but by no means least 4 of Wilson’s were busy loading some 16.50 metre long storage tanks from South West Germany today in the 34’c heat. That’s 16.50 metres in the well of the trailer, not overall. These tanks are all night moves out of Germany heading to the ferry out of Rotterdam. So a long night ahead for drivers; Richard Arnold, Mark Blunt, Dave Knappett and top geordie driver Steve Pattison. Great photos, thanks Geordie…Don’t worry the German Rozzers are there to help!

Manton European Freezer Freight Part 10

Posted on July 29, 2012 by truckbloguk

Part 10 and its a bit of a belter to be honest!! For those of you who might not have done a search on the blog for Mantons, it all started back on the 21st February 2011. I posted up a photo of a nice Manton truck I took a photo of in Braintree when I was a boy and since then it’s just rolled on and on. In fact it probably is worth a search to read a few of the posts. This latest installment of pics is from Rich Tilford, the man responsible for spraying all the Manton vehicles.

I first heard from Rich when he contacted me via email. The email read as follows;

“Hi Ben’ just browsing on me phone these trucks look very familiar. I used to paint them!… Got all sorts of reg no.s running through my mind! I remember K414! Is that sad? K14 NTL was ridged fridge driven by Mark Bussey , who previously drove M396 JRH a 7.5t Renault Midliner. I think there was a few Magnums (4?) N830 DAG rings a bell! They where a bit of a twat to paint due to height and fibre glass cab attracted dust (static elec) etc. I have a few photos of there later vehicles 1995> ie. Late 3 series first 4 series N682 JWT? P65. .. etc. Currently running DAF 95/ 105/ but plain white or yellow livery (boring) not seen Dave Manton in long time hope he and family are well”

I think its fair to say that Rich qualifies as a reliable source of Manton info. Having posted me a batch of his photos for me to scan (as Rich can’t work anything unless it runs on diesel), Rich also added a small note in the envelope with a few notes on each pic. For example, Rich says that the 4 Series Scania above was part of a batch of 4 trucks and P657 RYG was badly damaged in an accident just 2 weeks after he took these photos. On one of the earlier Manton posts on the blog, we talked about there being a Renault Magnum on the fleet. Not just one according to Rich and we have a bit of evidence to show that they did exist as we have a couple of Tilfords photos showing the before and after of said Magnums.

Some of you may recognise the spec of the 3 series in the foreground as I did. Rich said that there were 3 or 4 of these 3 series Scania’s with the side skirts. They were a cancelled order from MacFarlanes Transport and were already painted in the familiar green and yellow livery of Macfarlane. It wasn’t just tractor units that Rich had to paint. Trailers were a regular in the paint shop too. Most of the fridge trailers were painted in the same livery, apart from this one trailer below. For a reason that Rich has told me, just one fridge was given this livery, I rather like it! Perhaps some one can enlighten the rest of us??

Rich also hasn’t said whether he was a dab hand with a paint brush as well as the spray gun. Some smart sign writing on these trailers, especially on the tanker. Next up we have one of the tankers being pulled by a Volvo Globetrotter. Apparently the only FH Volvo Mantons had. This one was also the first truck that Rich painted when he started at Mantons, so good was the paint work the truck also made it to the Volvo truck stand at the Pickering show.

There are plenty more of Rich Tilfords pics on my Flickr page for you to see. Click HERE to have a look. A couple of nice rigids for different uses, but all in some form of yellow and green.

Last but by no means least, K414 KNW. This is the 143 that started all this off and it wasn’t even a from-new purchase by the looks of it. That is unless it was an ex demonstrator, they do look like Scania stripes don’t they. A few days in the paint shop with our man Tilford and she soon looked like part of the fleet, soon to be on regular runs to Moscow. Freshly painted waiting to leave the paint shop, just imagine the turning that key! All I can say is that I am very pleased that Rich managed to browse the Internet on his phone even though it doesn’t run on diesel! Thanks Rich, here’s hoping that you find some more photos one day.

Funnily enough in the middle of Rich contacting me, I had this comment on a Mantons blog post, from K414 KNW’s owner when it left the Manton fleet. Mr Lee Windle said;

“Just looking through the Manton story and seen a photo of K414 KNW. I was the owner of this truck for 4 years after Manton traded it in at Scania Normanton in West Yorkshire. It was working round trip to Germany every week and never let me down. I had it repainted white cab red chassis when I first bought it. Sold it to a chap in Wakefield then saw it a few years later for sale on ebay. I added the spot lights, air horns and alloy wheels.. that gave me the bug for the V8’s, had them ever since current truck Scania R580 4X2 OPTIC CRUISE……”

The one thing with this blog is how these things all lead onto some thing else. Any one got a photo of K414 in its life after Mantons??

One Mans Scania is Another Man’s Dream

Posted on July 23, 2012 by truckbloguk

Not so long ago I was the owner of a very nice Scania 141, but all good things have to come to an end. So the time came and she was sold. The problem was before I made the decision to sell her I was thinking of selling and buying a 143 and having some change. This didn’t quite go to plan due to starting a family, so the 143 plan is hold for now. The thing that made it so hard was that I found this truck for sale in Holland. Looks lovely although in need of a wash! Anyway this idea had to be put on hold.

A few months went by and this black beauty had disappeared from the various used truck websites I keep tabs on. Then one day it appeared back, at a new dealers and for sale for quite a bit more, but at least it had had a wash! It was still very appealing but I had to stay strong! The chance came and went and to this day I still live in hope of finding a lovely old 143 that needs a home when I have the time and the money. Then by one of these increasingly weird coinsedances on Facebook it appeared once again, well it looked like it and how can you really mistake it. It’s now been touched up, shown a bit of love and had a good polish as well another wash or 2!

The truck now belongs to Sam Nelis from Belgium and I have to say he has done a good job on the truck. Keeping the lovely black paint and just adding a few simple stripes and accessories, she looks stunning. How about the painted wheels?? I said on the blog recently how painted wheels are the current fashion, and looking at the pics above, it makes a massive difference to the truck. Looks great.

Fingers crossed the lottery numbers come up this Friday, then I think I may have to have a nice chat with Mr Nelis. After lots of hard graft restoring the 141 to show condition I think the next truck will have to already be in show condition so all I have to do is wash polish it ready for days out. I think this 143 is yet anoher example of how simple / subtle is the way forward. Nice one Sam!

Taskers ‘tatoes

Posted on July 19, 2012 by truckbloguk

Full time HC Wilson subbie MW Tasker has always been a quietly proud man of his small but smart V8 fleet. He has never been the real king of bling, he is often called it in mid-Suffolk, but a coat of black paint and some ally wheels hardly makes him king of bling really does it. Tasker has never really been into in your face customising and if you had been witness to the many chats we had about his new pride and joy Scania R560, you’d realise that he is in fact a big fan of subtlety. The new R560 is in a Scania grey that is virtually the same colour as the plastics on the truck, it also has some of those tribal type stickers on each side. You may struggle to see them as they are in black instead of the silver that Scania give as the other option, why? because it’s less in your face. The truck has all the gadgets and gizmo’s you can think of, but on the outside…….Even the wheels on the new V8 were a talking point. The wheels are still the standard steel ones, i’m guessing the reason for this is because Mr T can’t decide whether to stick his trade mark shiny allys on or to have a set of allys painted in black and grey. In my opinion on this particular truck I think either would suit well. The general fashion in Europe does seem to be for the painted option. The one thing Tasker has always encouraged with his trucks is the grummmble of the V8, the new one being no different. One exhaust each side at the bottom of the side skirts, one through the standard exhaust system which does have a good note to it, the other side is nothing short of a roaring lion! Flick the dash mounted switch and you hear the butterfly valve clang across and then its just a straight exit from the engine out to the ovalish exit. They do say the sound of a Scania V8 varies all down to the shape of the exit of the pipe…?? You know what I always thought would be worth trying is having a bowl type thingy at the bottom of a stack. So based on a normal shape of a set of stacks, you have the pipe come out from the engine, then when it turns up the back of the cab, rather than just bend the pipe and have it all the same diameter, how bout on the bend, put a ball / bowl shape? I think this would add to the deep burbling sound as it will have a chamber to resignate around before heading up the exit pipe. Well that’s just my idea, you probably have no idea what i’m trying to describe!

As you can see below Tasker still has his original 4 Series Scania that he has also had from new. She may be ageing nicely but she is still working as hard as she ever has. Now with her long time pilot, the one and only Colin Waters. Although both trucks are pictured here with 3 axle Nooteboom lowloaders, the loads they are carrying are no cause for panic with the big V8’s. The potatoe harvesters are more abnormal due to their over width and height, the weight is less than the trailers they are are riding on. These photos were taken by Mike Tasker in Holland on their way to Rotterdam from Germany for a ferry to the UK. Hence the need for the low loaders to keep the height down to allow for easier transit through Europe. Which ever you prefer you can’t deny that subtle is smart and can be just as effective as all the lights and whistles you can find in your nearest truck accessories dealer!…My final question is will the new Scania last as well as its senior? I mean the older has far less sensors and computer stuff on, will the younger make it through 12 (or more) hard years labour pulling abnormal loads all over the Continent?? Your views will be appreciated so leave your comments below. I’m sure MWT is hoping his subtle R560 lasts him just as well as the old 144, perhaps even seeing him to his retirement….. 😉

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