Category Archives: Show News

Is It Nearly Show Time??

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The long winter months are drawing on and I’m missing the truck show fraternity and the reminiscent fun we have at the various shows we get to. It’s an opportunity for us all to get together with other like minded folk who also enjoy the trucks that we fondly look back on from the golden years and also the modern day trucks that are comfier, safer and more eco friendly than their car equivalents. Its our favourite time of the year, suns out, tyres stay black and trucks stay clean, we even keep the breweries happy!

So what are your plans? I have no doubt there will be a couple of mini convoys, well I hope so anyway. I’m guessing there maybe a new show or two on the calendar if I can get along to them. I’d love to get to the Devin Truck show at some point, but that’ll likely be next year, I may do the Truckfest Southeast if it falls on the right weekend, of course I’ll do the Retro Truck Show and a maybe a couple more local shows, then fingers crossed I might just get the Gr814 along to the Truckstar Festival in Holland, although I might need to borrow someone’s fuel card! I also hope to do a few more jobs to the Gr814 before all this. I’d like to change the rear axle for a better gear ratio. I’d like to get the chassis shot blasted and repainted in factory gloss black. Finally if the budget allows, I’d love to get the cab painted too but I don’t think that’ll be this year because of both time and cash.

The other thing I’m looking forward to is catching up with and making new friends and acquaintances. Something about the trucking lot, that means there is never a lot of ice to be broken if any. We meet up with new people and we start talking, chatting or helping, this is where the romance of the roads originates. How often have you met a fellow driver, shared a table for dinner and a beer and then gone your separate ways and then met up again at a random delivery or overnight stop a year or so later. Well that’s much the same as the men’s bad women of the short circuit. We all know each other and we all get along but we may not see each other from one year to the next, but you just pick up where we left off. You also get to rub shoulders with the big boys, those who some expect to be different for some reason, but they are all drivers and truck nuts at heart. The generosity of people such as Richard Payne, Mark Farrow, Charles Russell, John Thomas, Fred Parker and a few others, almost knows no bounds. Always happy to help, always willing to get involved, totally approachable and won’t see anyone struggle, go short or miss out if they can help it. Proper old school bosses the lot of them! It seems that all of this is in the blood whether you’re driver or guv’nor we are all there for the craic, the beer and of course the trucks. Bring on the 2023 season and please, say hello.

Merry Christmas Bloggers!!

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The Retro Show – Just Gets Better!

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Man-O-Man, where do I start?? Shall I save you all the pain of reading a new blog and just republish last years?? If I did then I wouldn’t have the chance to get all gooey, reminiscing about yet another awesome weekend at Gaydon or as I like to call it, the Retro Truckstop Weekender! The show it’s self had 401 trucks on Sunday mornings count up. That includes everything inside the main gate. Now one quick note for the organisers, quite a few commented that there were a few too many “new” trucks, make of that what you will and perhaps it’s a discussion point or comment below? Then again without enough trucks the show wouldn’t be what it is….. awesome.

No one can disagree that there were more trucks than ever and more trucks that I’d not seen before. Being a Merc fan, we even had a Merc corner which was a first, the Stuttgart Stars. The standard of restoration, preservation or any other ‘ation, was incredible. We have to remember than not everyone has the budget to restore from the chassis rails up, so for all of you, like me who can just about afford to keep your pride and retro-joy road worthy and MOT’d, you’re doing just as important a job. We have to keep as many old trucks on the road as possible, other wise they will end up at the mercy of the nearest gas axe. I think another point that was very noticeable was the increase in manufacturers. Some years it seems that there are only newly restored Scania’s and Volvo’s coming on the scene (no bad thing), but this year their were Fords, Scammells, Magirus Deutz, ERF’s, an amazing Scottish DAF that had had the full piggy bank thrown at it and it looked better than new, simply delightful. One thing that is very apparent about the Retro Show, is that it is the show for the fans and the lovers of your own favourite manufacturer. Even if you aren’t a fan, then everyone present can appreciate each and every truck on show for what they are. I’m sitting here writing this wondering how on Earth I’m going to choose which photos to include!

CLICK HERE to see all my retro show photos.

I know I’ve said it each year and again now but one of the most enjoyable parts of the show is the people that attend. You genuinely can’t walk more than 50 metres without seeing or meeting someone else to chat too or catch up with. I think the best I heard, was someone who’d been at the show for 3 hours and had barely made it to the end of the first row of trucks! Whether it’s chatting about a truck on show, seeing old friends, making new ones or just joining in a conversation as us drivers like to do, it is by far the most sociable show with the least amount of ego’s you’ll find in the UK. I think most are gently surprised when someone likes their old truck, much how I felt when people kept coming over to the 814 and saying how much they loved it as it bought back many memories of peoples first truck. Made me smile anyway.

Zoom in on the line up!

The social element and banter is present all week and their were countless “moments” where everyone gets a ribbing from their counterparts. Then their are the serial collectors and proper encyclopaedia types who know their trucks better than The manufacturers who built them. Peoples knowledge is genuinely amazing. If you need to know something there will be someone at the show who can tell you who you need to talk too. Then there are just the trucking VIP’s who everyone knows and has a chat and a laugh with. To name a few; the King and Queen, or Trevor and Jody Rowell, Keith Storey, Fred Parker, Mark Farrow, Richard Payne, Nick Bull, Karl Skilton, Nick Pelosi, Uel McCullough, Miss Hopton and Master Hopton and the list goes on. Sharing a beer is one thing, having a good chat and a joke is another, so when you can do both together surrounded by some mates and the trucks of the golden years of UK haulage, what more could you possibly want?!?….. oh yea delicious home cooked food and a delicious cooked breakfast from a team who have to put up with same old drivers jokes with each new punter! It is truly a great weekend and for me the best show in the UK currently. Appreciated it’s not for everyone but the social side and the trucks from my childhood make it so.

A final few more mentions, the amazing MAN Roadhaus from Wexford, the living 79 year old legend and still driving international Mike Dunston, nice to see a few Magnums on the scene, Nick Pelosi’s face when he heard some 80’s hits banging out my 814’s stereo, the sound of a Transcon with a Detroit engine, Carl Jones for pointing out my fuel cap was off as I drove out the show, yep in front of all the cameras, check your pictures, what a twit! Other than that just a big thank you to Lee Herbert and his team who make the show a complete joy in all respects. I can’t wait for next year, the Gr814 and I will be back.

Retro Show ‘22 – The Roundtrip

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The Retro Show ‘22. I thought I’d give you a break from how good it was and you clearly aren’t in the club if you didn’t go. As you will know by now this was the Gr814’s first UK show outing and we made the trip there and back in good company. 1st leg was from Ipswich to Elmswell to meet up with James with EGV and Mat with Jim Cammacks 143. We decided that Elmswell would be a good meeting point as I had an early finish and James couldn’t finish until 1730hrs at the earliest. I also had a couple of jobs to finish so needed a few tools and a couple of nuts, bolts and screws.

First job was to fit the CB in the Gr814, fairly simple ax there is already an aerial and a cable, so I just needed to connect up the power (also already there once I’d looked) and mount the bracket up on the sunroof surround, so it was well out the way. Much to my delight, once it was all in, it worked a dream, good range and clear sound with no effort. Just how I like it! Second all important job, although a temporary fix until he’s painted, was to replace the broken Mercedes-Benz badge on the back. I couldn’t turn up at the show with a broken badge.

Once my jobs were done, Mat had had a good wipe around to try and degrease and JC had finished the day job, we just had time for a roll call photo before hitting the road. The 4th member of the convoy was already flying along to the sound of Karen Carpenter and her siblings, so we decided to meet up at Rothwell Truckstop on the A14, just west of Kettering. After a pasty and a bottle of Coke, we left Rothwell with Brian Potter leading the way in his drop dead gorgeous Swedish beauty. Sadly MDF soon realised why I was in front on the way up. Sadly unlike my hero the Duck, I did have everyone following me, I wasn’t just in front as the Gr814 is somewhat relaxed about speed. I think a sound investment maybe a new diff to give me a little more than 50mph. Although it wouldn’t have been to much of a problem if JC had driven EGV rather than trailered. Anyway a steady 50 is good for the fuel gauge

Once on the way to Gaydon, we planned on A14, M6, A46 and M40. Sadly as already of a Friday evening the authorities had better ideas and we were diverted off the A46 into Coventry. Amazing although a royal pain in the ass, it did provide some awesome memories of perhaps a time when dual carriageways were few and far between and we would have regularly been followed through towns by gorgeous old Scania and Volvos. It provided some great photos of the mind of nothing else. Once back on the A46 it was a simple run down to Gaydon. As the time was getting on we were a little unsure if we could get in the gate or not. But we didn’t need to worry as Lee Herbert and his team were more than accommodating and let us all in, unload the 141 and park up ready for the morning. Perfecto.

As for the run home, a real lovely run back in the sunny Sunday afternoon sun. Although I did manage to leave the show and drive up the little hill past all the photographers with my fuel cap dangling on its chain. Bugger. A change of route to go home, down the M40, A43, A421 to Buckingham, Milton Keynes and onto Bedford. We then picked up the A428 back to Cambridge. A nice run and chosen as we all potentially needed fuel on the way home. Once nearly back at Cambridge we headed our separate ways as JC wanted to get back to Elmswell and get EGV unloaded. I then headed down the M11, across the A505 and then down the A1307 to Haverhill and the back roads back just bear Colchester where I live. May was going to follow me but day dreamed on to Bury St Edmunds and then back down to Sudbury and Halstead.

The little Gr814 didn’t miss and beat and to be honest is a real pleasure to drive. It’s actually not any where near as bouncy as you’d think and by the time I got home, I’d proper settle in and it looked like I’d been away for a week towel hanging up to dry, bags on the top bunk, bedding on the bottom one, music on and CB there incase I needed a road report Roger. 300 plus miles covered and I’d happily do it all again, perhaps a little more speed and few less revs would be nice but you can’t have everything! Hopefully way before the Retro Show ‘23 I’ll have the paint done and the other bits and bobs and he’ll be finished. Top round trip, top show and top mates.

Heinrichs Thermoliner

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It’s a similar colour as the last one I got all gooey about, but look at it…. The Danish Soleen trucks and the VOWA truck from CH, all similar shades but boy does it look good on them. Just incase you think it’s just a Scania thing, then I can prove you it’s not. Take yourself off to the Heinrichs Thermoliner Instagram and you will see it’s suits the flat top DAF just as well. It’s a mega colour.

Once again this truck has it all in a Super subtle way. I almost want to say less is more, although it’s quite close the physically being more than less, know what I mean?! All the custom parts that are currently in fashion are present, not all to my taste, but I can appreciate them 100%. Bull bar, Speedline wheels on the front axle, full chassis infill and tank-look side skirts, Danish square rear lights on both tractor and trailer, 2 series Scania top side lights, double twin air horns, short air deflector kit to allow for a flat panel on the back of the cab and a smart set of exhaust stacks. To finish the complete rig off, the new fashion for your matching trailer – mudguards to match your tractor. Heinrichs Thermoliner have got it all spot on, apart from the spots on the roof. Seems the Europeans still like this fashion trend but I can see it fading out in favour of nothing or something smaller and smarter.

You can see the Scania mud guards on the trailer and they look awesome, this was noted by my truck show wingman James and once he mentioned it, we saw plenty more. Full infill round the trailer with skirts and toolboxes. Finally to finish off the back end, I’m guessing that is a cartoon of Germanys own version of Lisa Kelly, the one and only Frau Heinrichs. Much to James’ disappointment we weren’t able to find Frau while we were round the truck, but it’s her who missed out on him not the other way round!

Everything colour coded.

Another plush master piece from Special Interior, this time in my favourite, dark brown leather. When you stand and look in to these sumptuous cabs, you are greeted by two scents. First is what ever flavour of air fresher the driver has chosen, usually a Poppy type or similar. The second smell for most is the delightful scent of real leather, actually something most factory finished trucks don’t have much of these days. Browns and creams go very well together, complemented by traditional red lighting. The rear cab wall in this one is of course finished off with Frau Heinrichs cartoon embossed with a red back light surround. – think I need a job narrating Master Chef!

Fordham Vehicle Show 2022

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The most local vehicle show to near where we live. A fantastic little village show that took place for the first time since 2019 and bearing in mind it was a scorching hot, humid day there was still a decent turn out of vehicles. One of best things about the show is the variety of vehicles. Yes I’m a truck man, but everything from bikes, cars, vans, a few lorries, tractors, racing cars, buses, Land Rovers, Americans and a Harley Davidson club. Something for everyone, literally a lovely assortment of what every takes your fancy. Sadly there were also a large numbers of dropouts due to the heat, lots of classic owners are keen on risking overheating their pride and joy, which I understand. Hopefully next year it’ll be back to full steam. I’ll try and post the details more next year as it would be great to see a few more commercials there.

Ok so it’s a pick-up TRUCK, but I’ll allow it on the blog this time, as for me it was the best looking vehicle in the show. The owner saw it for sale in Virginia, USA in exactly it’s cute t condition and decided he just had to have it. With Patina on vehicle Mrs being the latest craze, this has all the natural rust patches you could want. I think it just looks the nuts and I’d have happily taking it home myself. Perhaps a Chevy needs to go on the lottery list.

Pallet Plus were the only actual working trucks on show but two new MAN’s looked great in their red paint and sunshine. The Scammell below is a regular and I have a feeling it comes from a local railway museum at Chappel near Colchester but I could be wrong. It’s a proper old-timer and isn’t over cleaned or polished, it just looks tidy and original.

As for the Flatman Bedford, well if you like a classic British truck, this is the one for you. Flatland are a local egg company and the owner has a huge collection of classic sorts cars, but this was the first time I have seen the Bedford. Again like the Scammell, this was very tidy but not cleaned and restored to within an inch of its life. Genuinely it looked like it had just finished a days work collecting empty boxes. I think it looks perfect in the black and white photo below. Anyway, mid August next year, get yourself up to the Colchester area and come visit the show. You never know the Gr814 might have had a kick of paint by next years show!

A Real Swiss Sweetie

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For me the best in show and I’m glad to say that the people at Truckstar agreed. This Swiss beast was voted best in show by the judges and I couldn’t agree more. There are a good few reasons why I shouldn’t like it, as we all have little things with our taste in trucks that we aren’t that keen on. For example I’m not a fan of gold paint work, I’m also not so keen on additional spot lights or bull bars anymore, but just like Jerry Maguire, this truck had me at hello.

Despite my pet hates, I think I’d only need to remove the 7 spot lights on the roof, the rest just works. Nestled between Paul Cecil’s jaw dropping XF and matching Schmitz trailer and the crazy artwork on Ristina’s latest Scania offering, this Swiss gem appeared like an oasis in the desert.

Oh what’s this…. Ooooo it likes quite tidy this James….. Oh crikey, I think I like the look of this…. This could be my best in show…. And the interior…… And it’s an R cab…. This is my best in show.

That’s pretty well how things went when we came across it at Assen. When it comes to the new Scania, I’m an R cab man, you all know I love the smaller cabbed trucks, the R for me is far better looking than an S cab Scania. There were a few trucks with Speedline super singles on the front axle and I really like it, a trend started years ago by the Prince of Somerset Tim Rigby. I also absolutely appreciated the gear shift pattern being the focus for the LED lighting above the bunk and also on the pa em on the rear of the cab between the stacks. I feel this is a real ode to the demise of the manual gearbox. Those new to driving but are real drivers at heart, there is nothing more secretly satisfying than getting the gearbox working and making your way up through the box all of your own doing. This is pre-mortem tribute to the no doubt soon to be obsolete mechanical masterpiece that is a multi-geared gearbox.

This burgundy, antique red, colour touched me in more ways than a 1980’s TV presenter. The Heinrich’s frigo and the Dansk Soleen trucks all wearing g a similar shade, just suit the truck. I can’t say if it suits all trucks as sometimes paint colours only work on certain trucks but it c retail y works on Scania’s. The different shades of deep red, gold and black also used compliment each other and go with the theory of top paint jobs need 3 colours to really stand out from the crowd. even the red rear wheels on the twin tag fit in with the rest, big bumper, square lights, good size straight stacks, just enough lights, full flat metal chassis infill and side skirts, I can’t go on otherwise I’ll need a moment.

QJust when I’ve had a full walk around the outside and just about stopped dribbling, I get to the drivers door and boom, the pink, salmon pink, bubblegum pink, who knows what colour pink but I love it. James and I can fully appreciate trucks and lairy interiors, although often they would not be our personal choice. I love the deep brown leather interiors again like the Heinrich’s truck, but once again this just works for me. I’d not have chosen it myself but I love it. It’s just sumptuously gorgeous and one step to the left of the custom truck normal. Special Interior have just raised the bar another notch.

I genuinely can’t say any more about this truck, I just hope it has a well matched trailer doing what ever work it does. If I wanted to build a custom truck I think I could just be a carbon copy of this Swiss sweetie. As we all know the Swiss are the kings and queens of sweet treats and chocolate and this truck sits perfectly in that bracket……. I’m off to have a word with myself.

Truckstar Festival 2022 #2

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..Night Time is The Right Time….. very rarely do I get my proper camera out, especially when my new mobile phone has such a good camera even for night shots now. The big Canon comes out for truck show use as I can take a few photos without the need for a tripod and without the need for a timer to make sure the camera is still. Please don’t think I claim to be any sort of photographer, but I do love a truck with its side lights on. For those who like to pick up on the finer points, if you look at some of my pics you’ll see they are only in focus in the middle and the rest of the photo is a little blurred. I reckon I haven’t got the manual focus set up right but perhaps someone can tell me more?!

It has become the norm at truck shows these days, but the Truckstar Festival was the first show I went to where all the trucks were running with lights on at night. There is a certain amount of trust in leaving your pride and joy open, running and free for all and sundry to look around. It’s become a thing to have a walk around Assen in the dark and I would think that the majority of those attending the show with a truck do the same of an evening as their are a lot of people walking around right up to midnight. To be fair this year I made of point of getting out on the Friday night to make the walk and I’m bloomin glad that I did. There was a lot of top, top quality motors on show and the lighting of a truck has almost become as big a part of the customising process as the paint, interior or anything else. I have to say I’m Holland you see very few trucks that are “over done”, you know, the ones that look like they have crashed into the lighting section at Halfords. All the trucks look well balanced and as if some proper thought has gone into the lights, not just bolted on and hope for the best. Everything is even and nicely spaced, as with everything the Dutch, the Danish, the English all have the right idea when it comes to lights.

The triad of Danish stunners from Christian Soleen‘s stable, made for many a pretty picture and to say they were my favourite trucks at the show and I will be doing a separate blog on them for you. Love the 3 lights under the bumper and also love the nice straight lines down the sides of the truck. Like our American friends I do love lines of orange down each side, just looks mega in my book.

The white line above the left side of the DAF isn’t some cool new aerial, it’s the big crane in the background all lit up.

Truckstar Festival 2022 – #1

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Where do I start?! For me the best trip to Truckstar Festival in 8 visits. The hospitality shown by proper truck people to others who perhaps can’t offer the same hospitality through no fault of their own is genuinely humbling. The Dutch are in a league of their own, nothing is a problem, everything is about friends and all are included.

Thank you to everyone we saw, met and shared a beer with. We feel like honoury Dutchman! Good people, good food, good beer, good trucks and crazy music!! Heel erg bedankt, bedank ook alle andere Nederlandse vrienden op de weg and of course a big thank you to our English friends too🍻🍻

Kurt, Lianne’s Richard, Peter with the nose, Mrs Olga Brouwer and all the rest. Also my BM James and of course the wife for letting me go !