8 minute read
95 Not Out
CLASSIC FANTASTIC
To Stephen Haws, his 1996 Leyland DAF 95 400 is more than just a trusty wagon with a 1.2 million kilometres on the clock. This DAF Virtual Truck Show category winner is a definite member of the family.
Words: Ronnie Hitchens Photographs: Karl Hopkinson
Sometimes less really is more. Speak to a group of enthusiasts, be it truck, car, or bike, and many will share an appreciation and respect for a stock-condition vehicle with no adornments, that’s been lovingly looked after; a snapshot in time, maintained as a reminder of days gone by. That’s not to say that Stephen Haws’ 1996 Leyland DAF 95 400 ATi Space Cab was lacking in any way at this year’s DAF Virtual Truck Show. Quite the opposite, in fact. It was an appreciation of the attention to detail, shared not only by Stephen, but also by the judges themselves, who awarded ‘P567 ODX’ the prestigious title of ‘Best Classic DAF or Leyland Truck’. Fresh off the back of his win, DAF Driver was keen to catch up with Stephen to learn more about his career in trucking, his award-winning truck and HJ Haws Haulage, the familyowned business that it served. Life on the road “Anything to do with lorries I absolutely love,” chuckles Stephen. “I spent a few days away over the halfterm with the family and we came across a circus packing up to move on. They had the big American stuff, Peterbilts, Kenworths. I was straight over with the camera taking lots of piccies.” Growing up amongst trucks from an early age, Stephen’s first job at 16 was with well-known local haulier, Jack Richards & Son, where he worked as a second man and trainee mechanic. As soon as he gained his licence at 21, he moved across to join the family business. “I learnt a lot with Jack Richards,” he said, “it meant that we could do some of the truck maintenance in-house once I’d joined HJ Haws. My dad started the business as an owner-driver in the 1970s, and I came on-board in the early 90s. Our work was mixed, but most of the work was focused in and around Norfolk, delivering fertiliser and supplies to the farmers across the county. “We had a long history with the DAF brand. Dad bought his first DAF, a 2800, in 1984. That ran with him for seven years and was replaced only with a newer one in the early 90s which, once I’d joined, was passed over to be my truck. Another 2800 followed, as did a 3200 on an H-plate and subsequently our first 95 from a contact of his in Bury St. Edmunds. He loved that first 95 and was hugely impressed with the way it performed. So much so, he phoned up this same contact to buy another one when the opportunity arose. That was Christmas of 2002 and around the following Easter, the offer of a second 95 came up. That’s the truck that’s been with me ever since,” he said. After running the 95 on front-line duties until 2010, the business needed a replacement. However, with work drying up and Stephen’s father close
to retirement, the tough decision was made to close the business. “As we owned the trucks outright, I was keen to keep a tractor unit for myself to keep the business’s name alive. I have so many memories with HJ Haws and this truck in particular, and I couldn’t let it go completely.”
Winning Formula For Stephen, part of the appeal of the 95 is that, bar a couple of small additions throughout the course of its life, the vehicle has been largely kept to its original stock specification. Other than a front bumper and grille respray, and some paint correction underneath that Stephen completed himself, the vehicle has been preserved in ‘as retired’ condition. “It’s in remarkably good shape for both its age and the life it’s lead,” explains Stephen. “When we bought it back in 2003, it had already racked up 700,000km pulling containers out of Felixstowe. Under our ownership, it’s done another 500,000km. Considering it’s had one clutch and is still on its original engine, 1.2 million kilometres later, you just can’t fault it. The HJ Haws team utilised dealer, M & K Commercials of Norwich, before switching to Ford and Slater of Kings Lynn. Both delivered exceptional service to the haulier throughout its working life.
Exhausting! “We found a set of vertical exhaust pipes at a potato farm in the next village. The farmer would invite the locals down to buy their spuds and whenever we went, we always admired the Scania he had in the yard, complete with vertical pipes. On one occasion, we visited not long after he’d sold it on. Both dad and I couldn’t help but notice that, in the corner of the yard, were the exhausts. We negotiated a deal to buy them from the farmer, sent them off to a fabricator in Wisbech to modify them to fit, and I think they look great. “It’s all about doing little things to keep it looking mint. Until we bought this truck, the HJ Haws livery was a blue body and white writing. However, the condition of the paint was so good when we bought it, it seemed like a waste of money to change it. Luckily, as it was white, we were able to invert the livery.” While the truck carries great sentimental value for Stephen as a preserved vehicle, it’s easy to forget that the Leyland DAF served the family business as a daily workhorse for seven years. DAF Driver was keen to understand how the truck stacks up against a modern vehicle. “Surprisingly, the 95 incorporates many of the features we take for granted today. It has a nice big cab, synchromesh gearbox, power steering and air suspension. In that sense, it is more relatable to a modern truck’s driving experience than many older models. Those trucks have some
amazing new technology, but I’d rather spend the day in my 95. In fact, I prefer the driving experience to most cars.”
Star of the Show For the past decade, the 95 has been used by Stephen and his family as a showpiece, touring the UK’s truck events throughout the year when weekends allow. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, they’ve still found a way to enjoy the truck, taking it for trips around the nearby North Norfolk coast and meeting up with fellow classic truck drivers when restrictions allowed. “Before the pandemic hit, we used to go to three or four shows a year,” said Stephen. “My kids enjoyed going out in it as they were growing up, and they still come out with me from time to time. It’s of an age where it doesn’t require seatbelts, but we retrofitted harnesses in the cab, so it was safe for the kids. The twins aren’t as mad on lorries as I am and I’m not sure whether they’ll want to follow in my footsteps. Getting your HGV licence isn’t cheap, and we may not be able to run the business by the time I stop driving. “The photo we submitted to the DAF Virtual Truck Show was taken while my son and I had parked up for dinner in Hunstanton. There aren’t too many places to park it, but there are a few places you can get into. Quite often people will come up to you, keen to find out more. People will say ‘I used to drive one of those’. The classic truck community is really nice; everyone likes to share their personal memories. We used to work around here, so sometimes we get a flash of the lights or a thumbs-up from other drivers who remember the truck. “I’ve considered getting a DAF 2800 and painting it in our colours, but it’s not the same. It wouldn’t be our 2800, so wouldn’t carry the same sentimental value.”
Standing out Scooping the prize for ‘Best Classic DAF or Leyland Truck’ came as a shock to the 95’s proud custodian, who at first didn’t believe the news when it came through. “I’d built up a relationship with some of the local DAF team in Norfolk and we’ve taken part in DAF displays in the past. The news of the win came through on my social media and I had to check it with my contacts. I thought someone was winding me up, but they said that we had won. I was chuffed! We don’t tend to enter competitions with the truck because we don’t have the resource to do it up to concours spec. To get this recognition though is great.” “My dad was delighted too. He is still into the lorries but let his licence go as he couldn’t justify the cost to keep it. He said to me, ‘You should change the initials on the truck to yours, now it’s your truck’. But I said ‘No, it’s your business and that’s who I drove for – I want it to stay like that – in true, original condition’. “While I’m still able to drive it, I’ll be driving it. And as soon as the shows are back, we’ll be there.”
