Heritage Commercials - March 2014 - Sample Edititon

Eight-wheel drive – Britain’s lost lead

CIALS COMMERCIALS A WORLD OF CLASSIC LORRIES, TRUCKS AND VANS

Fairground attraction!

1947 Foden special restoration

AirField guArdiAn The Alvis Salamander

ScAniA’S 2 SerieS The speedy Swede

VolVo F7

The working days

ArchiVe Album

truE Grit: history of thE minatic

atkinson sp restored – twice!

No.290 March 2014

£4.20

Delivering the milk

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f there’s one thing Britain has traditionally been good at, it has to be inventions. Of course we’ve frequently been very bad at making the most of these new ideas. So it’s oen other countries that actually manage to exploit them best and not us. e jet engine, for example, and the digital computer are just two that spring to mind. And in the field of commercials, one such idea was eight-wheel drive, both for off-road use and the likes of heavy haulage, where maximum tractive effort is required. is is a subject that’s seldom been written about and so I’m pleased to say that Ed Burrows has put together a massive 10-page feature which tells the story of these fascinating vehicles, including rarities from Guy, AEC and Morris-Commercial.

Another thing Britain has always been good at is crasmanship. Traditional coach building is something I’m very interested in, and is ably demonstrated by one of my favourite vehicle makers – Alvis of Coventry.

To me the company has always made the most fantastic looking cars and the engineering is excellent.

Aer being involved in engine manufacture, the first complete Alvis car was produced in 1920. e firm’s main speciality was the use of aluminium alloy pistons, although another innovation for them was the production of front-wheel drive cars in 1926.

In 1935 Alvis also started producing aircra engines under licence, and a year later armoured cars. e first true Alvis aircra engine, the Leonides, appeared in 1938.

The amphibious 6x6 Alvis Stalwart is a superb example of British innovation.

Photo PM PhotograPhy.

At the end of the Second World War, Alvis re-entered the car market, but in 1947 government contracts were issued for Leonides engines for use in the new-fangled helicopters then being designed. at year also saw the introduction of the Saladin 6x6 armoured car, which sold well all over Alvis m the world. is a 19 ade some o 64 TE2 f 1 thre the best loo e Saladin spawned e litre . Pho king cars e other military vehicles, v to St ePhe er – to me a n Pul including the Salamander fire len. nyway. This appliance, one of which you’ll be able to read about on page 30 of this issue.

However, one of the most interesting has to be the Stalwart amphibious truck. I’ve actually was developed including the tracked driven one of these and it was fantastic! I’m aluminium alloy hulled Scorpion. pleased I didn’t have to pay the fuel costs Despite it being a profitable part of the though – it was fitted with a 6.5-litre Rollsgroup, in 1981 British Leyland decided to sell Royce straight-eight petrol engine.

Alvis. e company is now part of BAE e Stalwart was designed to move supplies Systems, although the Alvis name has sadly to forward units aer the expected Soviet been dropped. invasion of West Germany. It was anticipated So the name may have gone, but Alvis will that most of the bridges would be destroyed, always be remembered, by me at least, as an and so the lorry was capable of carrying a five innovative firm proud of its crasmanship. tonne load (or 10 tonnes towed) at around Something that’s all too rare these days…

40mph on the road or six knots in the water.

Developments later raised this water speed to nine knots.

Alvis was taken over by Rover in 1965 and therefore became part of British Leyland in 1967. at year saw the end of car Stephen pullen production, but further military equipment spullen@mortons.co.uk

contents 14 March 20

06 News

What’s been happening in the world of classic commercials.

10 readers’ letters

Your chance to ask a question, put things straight or record a memory.

22

16 Power to the people

After spending something like 35 years crumbling away under a tarpaulin sheet in South Wales, the 1947 DG 6/7 Showman’s tractor ‘Lonesome’ has been returned to its original, fabulous, power generating condition. Bob Tuck tells us how.

68

46

22 True grit

Stewart Kaye certainly has a passion for motorway gritters so much so that he has actually bought and restored the same lorry twice!

28 Subscription form

Save money and get your copy of HC delivered early by subscribing.

30 alvis Salamander

As the Red Arrow Hawks roll by, Mike and Julie Blenkinsop visit an ongoing project of a Mk.6 fire crash tender at the Museum of Firefighting at RAF Scampton.

36 a haulier by accident

David Craggs tells the story of Ernest Wardby, a long standing Yorkshire haulage contractor – but not through choice!

42 archive album

54 Britain’s lost lead

46 It’s behind you!

64 From our archives

Four pages of photographic nostalgia from NA3T.

Russ Harvey delves into the archives to find out about the Minatic made by Scottish Aviation Ltd in the 1960s.

50 Sammy the Seddon

Seddon Mk.5s are a rare beast north of the border, and SX 7929 used to be a popular sight on the Scottish vintage vehicle circuit. Bob Weir went to Cleland near Motherwell, to meet new owner, Billy Brown.

Ed Burrows traces the history of a British invention, better exploited by everyone else – eight-wheel drive.

This month we feature Foden’s Haulmaster rigids from 1979. Did you drive one?

68 hard graft tractor

Mark Gredzinski digs out some period photos to tell the story of the working life of the Volvo F7.

74 Island classics

Jo Roberts visits the long established fuel oil supplier, Anglesey Oils.

36

30 94 4 Heritagecommercials.com

IncorporatIng classIc truck

16 80 Haulage company history

92 a little light reading

107Hc Marketplace

86 on location

94 rebel with a cause

114 Final word

Adrian Cypher looks back at the long gone firm of Guest Road Services of Bath.

This month we report from the 2013 Emergency Services Show.

88 Barry’s baby

The Austin Seven van was the first motor vehicle many businesses owned back in the 1920s. Dean Reader tracked down a superb example to see what people got for their money.

It’s quite surprising where old lorries can crop up!

Being involved in the specialist world of recovery has allowed Phil Nash to indulge his passion into things which are different.

And wreckers don’t come much more different than his!

100the speedy swede

The place to buy and sell anything to do with classic commercials.

Meet the Divco, the iconic US milk truck.

subscribe

save money and get HC delivered to your door page 28

Alan Barnes traces the history of the Scania 2-series.

54 March 2014 5

ignition

Send your StorieS to Stephen pullen spullen@mortons.co.uk Heritage Commercials, Mortons Heritage Media, PO Box 43, Horncastle LN9 6JR

Great dorset

planninG for war commemoration

VISITORS to the Great Dorset Steam Fair will be treated to a superb display of vintage First World War machinery at this year’s event.

Organiser Martin Oliver revealed this year’s fair will be commemorating the centenary of the 1914-18 conflict, and as part of that a selection of steam and historic vehicles plus ancillary equipment from the war years will be on display to the public.

If you would like to be considered as an exhibitor in this special commemorative display please send full details in writing of your proposed exhibit

(including a recent photograph) to Great Dorset Steam Fair (First World War Display), Show Office, Dairy House Farm, Child Okeford, Blandford, Dorset DT11 8HT. Alternatively, please send Martin your details by email to martin.oliver@gdsf.co.uk Careful consideration will be given to all applications, particularly to those with rare and unusually interesting exhibits. All applications must be received by GDSF by March 15, 2014.

For further information on the display, please contact Martin Oliver (01258 860361/07833 514961).

peter sunter – Northallerton turns out in force There was standing room only in all saints Church at Northallerton on Thursday, January 23 when mourners gathered for the funeral of Peter sunter. as the last active heavy haulage member of the sunter family, Peter was only 71 when he died. although the sunter Brothers haulage business had technically closed down in 1986 (when it merged with wynns and econofreight) the old company – and Peter sunter in particular – was still held in the highest regard by many in the North Yorkshire town. we featured the history of sunters at length in Heritage Commercials May 2013 issue when we celebrated the life of

6 Heritagecommercials.com

the company’s leading driver, John robinson. and to make Peter’s send off as memorable as possible, the York-based Dave weedon was asked if he could bring three of his sunter liveried tractors to be an integral part of the funeral cortege.

During the late 1950s, sunters was the first UK heavy haulier to operate the rotinoff atlantic heavy haulage tractor. and while this special vehicle was subsequently donated (in 1980) to the science Museum near wroughton at swindon, Dave has recreated this vehicle by repainting a similar rotinoff atlantic in the old sunter colours.

It was this vehicle which headed up the procession from Peter’s home in Mill Lane to the

church at the top of the town’s high street.

The other two vehicles from Dave’s collection were both new to sunters during the 1960s. we featured his specially built atkinson tractor NPY 63F in the March 2012 issue of Heritage Commercials. It was perhaps fitting that this particular vehicle was in the procession because this tractor was built to the specific request/design of Peter sunter himself.

The other heavy haulage tractor was the scammell Junior Constructor hPY 54D. The drivers of the vehicles in the procession included two members of the old sunter staff.

Peter Clemmett was driving the rotinoff while Dave Taylor was

driving the bonneted atkinson six wheeler. The scammell Junior Constructor was driven by Dave weedon’s good friend simon howard.

Spalding Model Truck &

Keighley

conSTrucTion Show 2014

Bus MuseuM

ModelMakers or those simply with an interest in trucks and construction are counting down to one of the best events of its type in europe.

The ninth spalding Model Truck & Construction show will be held on sunday, March 16 and the event has become something of an institution – a meeting place for model truck and earthmoving equipment collectors and dealers from across the world.

Whatever your interest, be it lorries, diggers, cranes, excavators, backhoe-loaders, rollers, bulldozers and wheeled and tracked machines of every type, there will be plenty to see and buy. and not just models, but also books, dVds and much, much more – from JCB and Caterpillar to MaN and erF. e spalding show is recognised as the largest gathering of its type for truck and construction models, regularly attracting traders and enthusiasts from across the Uk and europe. expect to find a wide selection of obsolete toys on offer, as well as the latest model releases from all the leading manufacturers.

Many model makers use the event as a platform to release new models. is offers a great advantage to the show visitors, who are able to purchase items not usually found at regular toy fairs, as well many of the older or unique models unobtainable elsewhere.

But toys and models are only part of the story because the event has grown in stature to also become an important resource for collectors of lorry and earthmoving literature – a

Visitors are advised to contact the organiser before travelling.

We cannot be held responsible for any errors in this listing.

Sunday, March 16

‘depoT open daY’ Riverside depot open 10am-4pm plus ride a bus from our heritage Collection on free-to-users service 22 linking Keighley’s local tourist attractions:- Museum of Rail Travel – Ingrow Loco – Cliffe Castle – east Riddlesden hall – Keighley Bus Museum.

Sunday, april 6

MeTro 40 Central Bradford based event at Centenary Square, City Park and Jacobs Wells Car park Join us to celebrate 40 years of Metro (the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport executive) and remember the green and cream buses of the 1970s and 80s.

Sunday, June 8

growing trend of interest – with all the major Uk dealers in attendance. In fact, the scope of the show now extends to all areas of collectables; browse the hundreds of stalls and you will be surprised what you may find. ere’s also an opportunity to add to your library of books and meet some of the authors. e collecting world has grown enormously in recent years and this is reflected in the show with new areas of interest such as dioramas, and there will be

Border reivers Road Run The daTe has now been set for this classic event, and entries are now being invited, be they vintage or classic commercials, cars, buses, fire appliances etc.

So put Sunday, May 18, 2014, in your diary. The starting point will be the aW Jenkinson Truckstop

2014 events

at Penrith, and will travel east through Cumbria and Northumberland. For more information: Contact: david Burns on 07710 788714 Email: borderreiversroadrun@hotmail.co.uk

competitions for the best table display. a number of real vintage and classic trucks are also expected to be in attendance. e 2014 event is expected to be more exciting than ever, so put the date in your diary. e show will be held at the usual venue: the springfields exhibition Centre (just off the a16 bypass), spalding, lincolnshire. e centre offers excellent restaurant facilities and there is ample car parking. springfield’s new Festival Garden shopping outlet will cater for those members of the family not interested in machinery. set your sat nav for Pe12 6eT and you can add to your collection or just enjoy a brilliant day out among the miniature and collectable world of trucks and diggers.

Contact: Colin Boor for further details on 07710 321471.

Email: colinboor@btconnect.com Website:

www.spaldingmodeltruckshow.com

‘depoT open daY’ Riverside depot open 10am-4pm plus ride a bus from our heritage Collection on free-to-users service 22 linking Keighley’s local tourist attractions:- Museum of Rail Travel – Ingrow Loco – Cliffe Castle – east Riddlesden hall – Keighley Bus Museum.

Sunday, September 28

‘depoT open daY’ Riverside depot open 10am-4pm plus ride a bus from our heritage Collection on free-to-users service 22 linking Keighley’s local tourist attractions:- Museum of Rail Travel – Ingrow Loco – Cliffe Castle – east Riddlesden hall – Keighley Bus Museum.

christmas day december 25

Free Local Bus Services in the Worth Valley and Keighley Services to Oxenhope, haworth, Oakworth, Fell Lane, Ingrow, Guard house, Braithwaite, Black hill, Utley, Steeton & airedale hospital.

Address: Riverside Depot, Riverside, Off Dalton Lane, Keighley BD21 4JP. Tel: 01282 413179 or visit www.kbmt.org.uk March 2014 7

After spending something like 35 years crumbling away under a tarpaulin sheet in South Wales, the 1947 DG 6/7 Showman’s tractor ‘Lonesome’ has been returned to its original, fabulous, power generating condition. The painstaking project showcases the restorative talents of John-Leonard I’Anson but as its owners Gary and Maggie Grysa recall, it was a task they couldn’t walk away from.

Words: Bob Tuck Photography: Bob Tuck/As stated

W

e’ve given this warning before, but it’s worth repeating. If you open the door to starting a basket case restoration project, then the rusting remains can suck you in and almost take over your life. e husband and wife team of Gary and Maggie Grysa are well aware of this warning as they’ve tackled all sorts of things in the past. We last featured them back in Heritage Commercials August 2010 issue (with their ex-Econofreight Scammell S26 ballast box tractor) but in comparison to what they were about to take on, the ‘Evening Star’ was almost mint before they bought it. ey should have known what was coming, but of course – as dedicated Foden nutters – they didn’t turn back. It’s not that they’d even agreed a deal on buying the 61-year-old lump of crumbling metal because all they’d had was the slightest of peeks – but that was enough.

“We were driving back from South Wales,” recalls Gary, “and I knew that we wouldn’t walk away from saving this Foden Special. So I said to Maggie: ‘You do realise, we’ve got no choice,’ because really, there was no way we could not buy it.”

In their time, Gary and Maggie have probably done more than any other two individuals to champion the cause of saving all aspects of Foden’s heritage. And getting so close to something that was so rare and special – even in the special world of Foden – made them even keener to take it on.

Of course, as we’ll relate later, it’s not easy when you’re trying to get a showman to part with something he reckons is a jewel in their family crown. However, in the form of JohnLeonard I’Anson, they had a friend and confidant who could virtually work miracles on what was almost a lost cause.

TWO YEARS TO WAIT

Lonesome is one of only three Fodens made specifically for Showman use.

It’s hard to imagine what life was like immediately aer the Second World War. e fighting may have ended but the entire country was suffering from all sorts of deprivations with rationing of many staples set to continue well into the 1950s. e War effort had prompted all manner of people to do all manner of different things and this included the Linsey showman’s family. Originally from Scotland, in the late 1800s a part of this extended family settled in South Wales. And during the Second World War, they’d used their showman’s tractors for all sorts of public work commitments at Fishguard in South West Wales.

With the war ended, the Linseys got back to their main work of entertaining people, although George Sydney Linsey knew he’d have to invest in some new hardware to keep the show on the road. Never the biggest operator, G S Linsey & Sons did work the fair circuit travelling round the Llanelli area in South Wales, so in 1945 they signed up for a brand new Foden tractor. is was quite an occasion because most showmen tended to use other people’s cast offs and convert them for their own use. And, apparently, in all their March 2014 17

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archive album

Milk transport

This month’s theme is milk transport. This opens up an area of road transport that’s seldom featured – battery electric vehicles. Of course electric milk floats were very

popular for decades on local domestic deliveries, but due to the advent of supermarkets they are now almost a thing of the past. Milk collection from farms has also changed, with churns

giving way to bulk tankers.

Anyway, as usual, we have very little information with these photos, so if you can help fill in the gaps please write in or email the address on page 45.

We’ll start with how it used to be done. This horse-drawn float was photographed on the Isle of Wight in 1954.

Note the Jeep ‘woodie’ in the background, a common way of making a usable car from military surplus after the war.

Froglands Farm is now holiday lets. NA3T photo HuA0898.

This is Whitehall in London in 1953, and an Austin Princess glides past a parked Express Dairies Bedford O Type. NA3T photo Hu06115-d1.

This Morrison-Electricar float was photographed in Oxford in July 1955. NA3T photo HuB0902-d2.

What a fantastic photo! This is Chatham in Kent circa 1961, and even a heavy snowfall won’t stop the milk – or buses – getting through. NA3T GM00050.

This Milk Marketing Board AEC was photographed on London’s Tower Bridge on September 18, 1975. Note the tri-axle trailer on singles. NA3T photo VS02060.