Australasian Classic Commercials

HCVC Sandown Display Day - Nov 27, 2011

2011-09-26T17:59:00.001+10:00

So there were these two Albions in a paddock...

2011-09-26T16:13:00.003+10:00

Earlier this year Ian Storrie recovered a couple of Albion six-wheelers from the paddock where they had sat for eight years. Both very complete and solid, Ian had them carted home by the same guy who delivered them to the paddock!

Ian has done a bit of research and discovered the trucks were well known in the area.

“From talking to old timers that know the vehicles from their working days, they were well looked after and worked their arses off with max bin capacity and no regard for weight limits”, he said.

“The older one has a tare weight of 6T and aggregate of 14T but they were capable of carrying well in excess of that due to the bin sizes ... and always did!”

The previous owner has been of considerable help with spare parts and also confirming the work the two trucks did. Ian continues:

“They were only ever used by Paul and his father for grain cartage during the grain harvest. The rest of the time they were shedded at a suburban street address in Gunnedah. His father, a talented mechanic, couldn't read or write and did have a job as a mechanic but the trucks were registered in his wife's name until Paul was old enough the have them registered in his name.

“Paul told me the standard load for the [FT37EL] was 22T and the [FT103L] carried 16T and that, during harvest, both he, also a mechanic, and his dad took holidays from their jobs to cart grain and make good money.”

The older FT103L previously worked for Chadwick’s in Newcastle and the name can just be made out on the driver’s door still. The FT37EL – ‘the big one’ as Ian calls her – started out on a farm at Mullaley owned by a chap called McBurnie. He sold up to a K Evans and the truck stayed on the farm until Paul and his Dad acquired her.

Paul’s Dad, an Albion man through and through, used to drive one of the older models for the coal mine at Werris Creek in the early days and used to swear by their reliability.

Neither truck has its original drive unit as both now have a lazy axle. The rear axle in both trucks had the diff centre moved and was plated over while the other axle had her guts replaced by an Eaton No. 3.

Lovely old iron in anyone’s book!

Bullyard Rally, Kolan River - Oct 29, 2011

2011-09-26T13:54:00.004+10:00

The Rock Show - Oct 15, 2011

2011-09-26T13:28:00.003+10:00

Lake Goldsmith - a quick look

2011-09-26T12:35:00.013+10:00

For those of us who kick around old machines - not just old trucks - Lake Goldsmith is a name that pops up fairly regularly. Located 50kms due west of Ballarat, Victoria, it is home to the Lake Goldsmith Steam Preservation Association and their permanent displays. The Association hosts two rallies each year (in May and November although this year's November rally is over the last weekend in October). These always prove popular with many enthusiasts bringing their vehicles along to join the fun. Have a look here for more information - Lake Goldsmith Rally.

Back in May Peter Lynch, author and Dodge owner, sent me the photos below. While completely out of date now they do give an idea of some of the trucks that attend to support the steam activities. The Dodge in the second photo is Peter's truck and only had 28,000 miles on the clock when he bought her from a farm at Winchelsea.

Above: The ever-popular International comes in many guises, each as classic and as well-loved as the other. The truck with the bar work is a Perkins-powered ASD-182 owned by George Pyers. Below: Peter's Dodge in good company. Note the 'dome' on the roof of the Austin camper!

Above: this early White is, I believe, a Lake Goldsmith resident. She featured on the rear cover of a recent Vintage Trucks And Commercials Magazine issue but do you think I can find it to provide more detail?! She's got Lake Goldsmith bales of wool on her back. Below: the late-1930s Chev is one of the more 'classic' looking trucks on the scene. This one has an Australian-built Holden cab.

Haulin' The Hume 2011

2011-09-12T09:02:00.006+10:00

The greatest road run ever held in Australia for classic commercials.

Watch this space for a few photos from Andrew Blacklock. I attended as well and shot 790 photos just south of Bargo, at Marulan BP truck stop and at the railway bridge in the Cullerin Ranges. A selection of these photos have been sent off to Vintage Trucks and Commercials Magazine so I will hold off posting them until I see what VTCM uses in their next issue. They may also appear in the HCVC newsletter The Monitor and in Queensland's Heritage Hauler as well as in a slide show on the Hunter Valley Classic Commercial Vehicle Club's website. On top of that the industry magazine Prime Mover may also be using some for an article on the run.

I was pretty happy with the results but the job was made easier by there being several trucks that you simply could not take a bad photo of. They just looked so right.

Congratulations to the organisers (Bruce Gunter, Kirky, the Western Sydney Historic Truck Club et al) and to the Hume runners. Everyone was on an absolute high enjoying each other's company and their old vehicles. This run was what the old truck scene is all about and the spirit in which it was organised, attended and enjoyed was truly epic. To make it a truly great event almost $9,000 was raised for kids with autism. Big trucks, bigger hearts.

Would you believe organising and registrations for the 2013 run are already happening!

Made In Dagenham

2011-08-16T09:19:00.005+10:00

My wife watched this movie on DVD the other day and said there were a few old trucks to keep an eye out for. Set in 1968, and telling the story of the women machinists at Ford's Dagenham plant in England going on strike to achieve equal pay with the men, there are a lot of street scenes suitably 'dressed' with period vehicles. Period cars and footage inside the plant abound but there are some good commercials to keep an eye out for.

Off the top of my head I spotted, among others, a Leyland FG 'three-penny bit' furniture van, TK Bedford, Thames van and a great shot of a 'Sputnik' Thames Trader prime mover and car transporter combination turning a corner. There was also a Bristol double-decker in the background and a SWB Bedford bus (possibly on a TJ chassis?) that featured prominently as it carted the ladies around the country. These were all 'live' and not archive footage (film was shot last year too).

One of my beefs with these 'period' shows, particularly American ones, is you rarely see more than just cars and utes/pick-ups in street scenes. There's rarely a truck making a delivery or a long-distance haulier passing through town or out on the road. To see the effort made in this English film was quite gratifying. Check it out.

I also recommend the Catherine Cookson film The Round Tower. Local lad starts a transport business with a Dennis if I recall correctly and later has a fleet of Fodens. Quality viewing!

The Inaugural Aussie Ladies Tractor Road Run - Oct 9, 2011

2011-08-15T12:38:00.004+10:00

...and now for something completely different. Click on the image for a larger copy.

Final instalment from the Hunter Valley Vintage Truck Muster

2011-05-17T20:28:00.021+10:00

Above: a very tidy and fresh-looking Mack R-model. Below: perhaps not to everyone's taste but this eye-catching Pete from the Moss collection is certainly a latter-day classic.

Above: If I recall correctly, this C-model Inter was originally owned by Vic Pike in Victoria but now resides in NSW. She is being followed by Bruce Gunter's Commer C7 Mk III Interim model. These trucks were only built between 1957 and 1958. Bruce is an upholsterer by trade and the interior of this truck is, as you can imagine, rather marvellous. Below: the Volvo F7 is becoming a popular truck in the Australian historic scene. This is Paul Harrison's eight-legger and one of several trucks he brought to support the Muster. The Bedford ML on her back is a local truck that was for sale for several years until bought by another local.

Above: another classic Volvo, an F86 this time. The Hunter Valley Classic Commercial Vehicle Club is at the forefront of an effort to record the history of Volvo trucks in Australia. A worthwhile project so if you have an old Volvo, or know of one, get in touch! Below: still a familiar sight on Australian roads - the Denning coach.

Above: one of the more popular vintage vehicles at the lighter end of the scale is the ubiquitous Chev 4. Below: Andrew Blacklock, one of the organisers of the Muster, owns the Leyland Atlantean double-decker in partnership with Keiran Jefferies. The odd looking beastie next to it is also in local fleet colours but I have yet to discover its story.

Above: one of the better-known fleets in the Hunter region, Smith's, operated a number of older trucks for some time. The Scammell Routeman II at far right is owned by Andrew Blacklock and was only retired from regular beer deliveries several years ago. Andrew also owns (with Paul Campbell) the AEC Monarch in the middle. The G-cabbed Leyland and the 1419 Merc are still owned by Smith's. The LAD-cabbed Albion is owned by Keiran Jefferies. Below: this Cummins-powered Atkinson Mk III is a very tidy unit. If you want to learn about Atkinsons in Australia, look for a copy of the superb "Atkinson Down Under" by Peter Lynch.

Hunter Valley success!

2011-05-16T21:31:00.006+10:00

By all accounts, the Muster was a roaring success with great weather, crowds and an excellent turn out of vintage trucks. Well done to the Hunter Valley Vintage Commercial Club!

Above: I think this Albion lives in Parkes with an afficianado of the make (whose name escapes me at present). Below: Frank Latorre's Foden S21 certainly gets around.

Above: the organisers arranged for a road train, not allowed on roads in the region, to be on display. Below: the yellow TK is a recent addition to the Paul Harrison collection which includes a couple of AECs, another TK and a Mack B-model. Clearly a man of taste.

Above: Andrew Blacklock (with co-owner Paul Campbell) finished the extensive refurbishment of his AEC Monarch - another former Smith's beer truck - just before the show. Perhaps the only one in preservation in Australia at the moment? Below: the AEC in the Smith's line-up.

Above: the only place in Australia you can see this many preserved AECs. All four are former Newcastle Haulage trucks. From left to right, Paul Harrison's Mandator, Glen Richards' export model Matador Mk III and Mammoth Major Mk III and Steve King's MM Mk III. The two Mk III tippers are 2/3 of a trio of trucks built to a special order. Originally on interstate work complete with sleeper cabs, the two seen above were converted to tippers. The hunt continues for the third truck which remained a flat-top!

Early arrivals at the Hunter Valley Vintage Truck Muster

2011-05-12T22:56:00.000+10:00

A quick update from the Hunter Valley guys. Looks like some good variety in both makes and ages already. Blue skies too. Happy days. Thanks to Andrew Blacklock for these photos.

Sydney Antique & Classic Truck Show - June 19, 2011

2011-05-12T22:32:00.000+10:00

The first, major, 100% vintage truck show for Sydney. Support it if you can!

The Hills Of Adelaide Road Run - June 11 & 12, 2011

2011-05-12T22:06:00.000+10:00

Great to see such challenging runs being organised and, by all accounts, well attended. Phone or email Judy Craig on 08 8522 1055 or Murray Langford on 08 8725 5809.

Hunter Valley Muster in the news

2011-05-11T08:45:00.020+10:00

The Hunter Valley Vintage Truck Muster is happily gaining a lot of attention in the media. I can't make it this year but here's a little taster of what you can expect at this well-run and imaginative event.

Hunter Valley Vintage Truck Muster 2011

Tuesday's Newcastle Herald:

Tuesday's Maitland Mercury:

Andrew Marquet's dainty 6x6 Oshkosh will be there.

Here's to 2011

2010-12-31T20:08:00.003+11:00

Compliments of the season to all you old truck nuts. I hope 2011 brings health and happiness, a bit of chrome and not too many oil leaks!

Thanks to Andrew Blacklock for the festive Scammell.

Reflections of Sandown 2010

2010-12-17T22:24:00.007+11:00

For the second year running the Historic Commercial Vehicle Club of Australia's annual display day was threatened by some pretty average weather. The days leading up to the show on November 28 were pretty soggy but, unlike last year, cleared sufficiently by Sunday to make things quite pleasant. Even a little bit of drizzle didn't prevent a very good turn-out of trucks. Despite the good numbers there was a surprising amount of regulars who didn't make it which was a surprise. Having said that, the 'new' vehicles present made you forget what was missing pretty quickly!

Here's a small selection of the photos I took on the day - all with a particular, and rather obvious, theme. More of my photos (and a few other guys) can be found on the HCVC Forum - Sandown 2010. Keep an eye on your November weekends for Sandown 2011.

Macungie 2010

2010-08-17T21:36:00.009+10:00

It's been a bit British truck focussed since I resurrected the blog so thought it was time to rectify that by going all-American. Macungie, Pennsylvania is well-known for its Mack factory but also hosts the annual convention for the Antique Truck Club of America. As to be expected a lot of Macks attend and to say the models present span more than 90 years is certainly no understatement. Here, thanks to long-time ACC supporter Jeff Lakaszcyck, is a small but good dose of some of the best gear you can find in the States. I like to keep up with the US scene but most of these trucks were new to me (or at least the current paint schemes were). Thanks to Jeff for the photos and his supporting captions.

I think this is the oldest truck to ever feature on ACC - a 1917 Duplex 4x4 dump owned by Donald Barlup.

One of my favourite trucks of all time. This is a Mack 1931 AK-6 (the AK was the shaft or belt-driven version of the chain-drive AC - wish I could remember which!) owned by well-known Mack collector Gary Mahan.

At the lighter end of the scale was Ritchie Pasquarella's 1936 Dodge MC panel.

One for you Inter nuts. It's a toss-up as to whether the D-series or the KB-6 is the best looking IH, I reckon. With that lovely long nose I'd have to say the D. This is Erv Bickford's stunning product of 1939. There's something about the smaller pre and immediate post-war prime movers/tractors that just looks right (even without a trailer).

I have a serious soft spot for Macks from the '30s and '40s and this stunning combination is no exception. Greg Nuss has hooked his 1939 BX to a 1938 Mack trailer (didn't know they made trailers as well) which is loaded with a 1938 Caterpillar D17000 diesel.

Besides LAD-cabbed Leylands and Albions, it is the Mack E-model that stops me in my tracks. I have seen a couple in Australia but nowhere near enough. If anyone knows of any around, please let me know. I promise not to drool ... too much. Oh, Jeff's photo is of Henry Greiner's 1947 EH. Magic.

From the best-looking Mack to the best-looking Acar. Robert King's 1951 DC102 is perfect in its understated finish (as understated as an orange chassis can be). A stunning machine.

For Bugly - the Wotherspoon Commer

2010-08-17T20:39:00.006+10:00

Bugly - Roland Turner - requested to see some photos of the Commer featured below in the Alice Springs entry. Well, here she is in all her glory. First a pic of her in our shed and then her arrival at Sandown Raceway for the HCVC's 2008 Display Day. She has since had signwriting done and now gets about carrying engines as can be seen below. You might notice the hubs don't quite match the age of the cab. That's because she's a C-model (CB etc) with an earlier Mk IV cab - the best of both worlds perhaps?

Mike and Mal are working on another Commer and last time I spoke to Mal he was on the trail of an LAD-cabbed Leyland. Clearly a man of class.

The obvious question - where is this AEC now?

2010-08-16T21:03:00.011+10:00

Hunter Valley Classic Commercial Vehicle Club member Scott Fayth found this business card in his travels. After picking myself up off the floor, my first thought was, naturally, where is she now (does she even survive?) and did anyone know her during her working life? Indeed, did she come to your rescue?

A stunning machine - note the sleeper cab as well - that must have been working well into the 1980s. Given the mobile number reference, could we hazard a guess at the late 1980s? It's possible Molly's Towing is now Molly's Tilt Tray Service of Heatherbrae, NSW (just north of Newcastle).

I'd love to hear more ... at the risk of hearing she is no longer with us.

Festival of Yesteryear - 2-3 October, 2010

2010-08-16T20:46:00.001+10:00

Alice Springs 2010

2010-08-15T21:28:00.009+10:00

As I write Mike and Mal, Purveyors of old English crap (seen here at our place before Sandown 2008), will be, er, winging their way to Alice in the Commer (at least I think they were leaving this early). I take this opportunity to wish them, and everyone else travelling to Alice in any way (especially in old trucks), all the best and I hope you have a hell of a lot of fun.

Take lots of photos!

Boxer out of the box

2010-08-15T18:15:00.006+10:00

New Zealand native, Leyland 'Steer' owner, regular ACC contributor and all-round top bloke Mike Houghton sent in photos of this Boxer which is new to the Kiwi scene and active on road runs. Looks good for a recently retired worker, doesn't she? Well, there's a surprise in store. Mike sums up the reality:

"One owner from new, 13,000km, still in original paint and never been dented. It's amazing what's still lying around in sheds!"

'Amazing' would have to be the understatement of the year. A dream truck for anyone surely. Long may she roll.

HCVAQ Cleveland - 25-26 September, 2010

2010-08-15T17:28:00.004+10:00

A truck for every occasion

2010-08-15T16:29:00.006+10:00

Long-time ACC reader Brent Ladyman in Western Australia has been busy over the past few years restoring the ‘C-model’-cabbed trucks you see above – namely two Commers and a Dodge.

The Dodge D2F on the right was Brent’s first project and is powered by a 6-354 Perkins. She is used as the main farm truck with the tipper proving useful when filling the combine seeder. The ‘Dodge’ badge gave Brent a lot of trouble as he tried to source the letters. He eventually turned to a mate and sign-writer who did the computer artwork based on the Commer badge. The letters were then laser cut in 6mm brass before being chromed. The results speak for themselves and, as Brent said,

“Total cost $130. Bargain.”

The next project was the yellow Commer (a CB, I believe). Originally operated by a local transport company in Katanning, the truck is powered by a Vale Cummins 185hp V8 diesel. As you might guess by the red beacon on the driver’s side, the CB serves as Brent’s fire fighting unit and is equipped with a slip-on tank and pump (can just see the tank in the photo).

Finally, the truck on the left is a CE built between 1968 and 1974 and powered by a TS3 215 Knocker driving through a six-speed box (makes it a CEGV?). The engine was reconditioned with the kind help of Kiwi Knocker expert Mark Erskine. The VC cab shown in the photo will be used for this truck as the original was too far gone. Double headlights will replace the singles and an original flat floor will be fitted. There is apparently still a lot of rust to repair but this truck is well on the way to joining Brent’s fleet.

Post-war Commers are proving to be very popular to restore and it is great to see the attention this important make is receiving particularly the later-cabbed models.

Thanks to Brent for the photos and info and to Howard Pettigrew’s Commer Connections for its help with my model guesses!

10,000 visitors - thank you

2010-08-12T09:44:00.009+10:00

It's probably been a while since the counter ticked over the 10,000 mark but thank you to everyone who has visited (I suspect at least 1,000 of those visits were me!) and continues to do so.

The recent email announcement by me about the Golden Oldies club sponsoring ACC has currently come to nothing due to a restructure of the club. I need to speak with someone tonight to get an update but this blog is currently being resurrected and will have some new posts on it by the end of the approaching weekend.

Thanks again to everyone who has been patient with my recent unreliability. Life's been a bit empty without old trucks and contact with the great people that own them so here's hoping I can get things going to where they were and I thank you again for continuing to visit and for supporting this site.

Andy Wright

Third Hunter Valley Vintage Truck Muster - 14-15 May, 2011

2010-05-29T15:11:00.014+10:00

After the success of the last Muster, the Hunter Valley Classic Commercial Club is at it again. With Alice Springs and Dubbo in August this year followed by the HCVC's Sandown show in November (and the 'hangover' they'll create), the 2011 Muster is perfectly timed for that next big old truck adventure. This is only the third Muster but the HVCCVC has already set a high standard and the combination of old trucks and vintage steam must certainly be unique among regular classic commercial shows.

They also produce a bloody awesome show flyer - the best I've seen.

Now also sponsored by Vintage Trucks and Commercials magazine - VTCM

AEC Returns Home

2010-03-01T11:49:00.005+11:00

Many of you will have seen photos of this AEC at a recent show in Queensland. She created quite a stir among the Hunter Valley Classic Commercial Vehicle Club members as she is a former Newcastle Haulage Transport truck. The HVCCVC are very keen to maintain contact with their local transport history - the surviving and very active Smith's beer trucks and Paul Campbell's former Rover Motors Leyland Leopard are perfect examples - so it comes as no surprise that this truck returned to Newcastle on Friday. Bought by collector Paul Harrison (I've seen a Bedford TK and Mack B-model in his colours) she is a wonderful addition to the population of active AECs in the region.

Thanks to Andrew Blacklock for the news and to Graham Kircher for the photo.

History Of Transport Heritage Truck Display, Lancefield - March 20-21, 2010

2010-03-01T07:57:00.003+11:00

Lockhart's National Historic Truck and Commercial Vehicle Show - March 6, 2010

2010-02-24T15:15:00.002+11:00

New email address

2010-02-23T16:28:00.002+11:00

Hi everyone

Just a quick post to let you know of my new email - aircrewbooksATiinet.net.au

We've changed ISPs and although we had a connection on Thursday the modem/router has only just arrived.

Andy

Through The Fence

2010-02-01T16:17:00.010+11:00

We headed up to Parkes on Friday and while Jodi was seeing the physio I decided to go hunting. Well, I wouldn't really call it hunting since I already knew what I was looking for. Having found the trucks several months previously, I had the chance to stick the camera through the fence ... since I had remembered to bring the camera! The Inter K5 and the solid-tyred gear below (Albions, Karrier etc) were in the same yard in the LIA. It turns out the owner is an Albion nut and I'm hoping to see his collection when I tag along with a club run towards the end of February. The Karrier was a particular surprise as we had not seen it when we first stumbled upon the ancient Albions.

Below: the Karrier.

The owner of the crane below said she is "a bit of a mongrel". I was unable to identify the chassis because, as you can see, the truck is surrounded by sheet metal and other scrap. Since I was wearing shoes that were as suited for scrambling over scrap as newspaper is for water-proofing - I had planned to go truck hunting yet didn't wear my boots - I erred on the side of caution despite my tetanus shots being up to date. I was also making a bit more noise than usual for the purposes of making any of the locals living under the scrap aware of my presence! So, that's my excuse for not getting better photos.

I first spotted the crane on the way out to the airport. During the war Parkes airfield was used by the RAAF as a navigation school. I was looking for a memorial plaque but was disappointed to find a specific memorial lacking. It was interesting to see the foundations of the classrooms, admin buildings and dormitories though. Anyway, on the way back I stopped at the water tank fabricator's yard that housed the crane. The owner was a friendly bloke and I would have liked to have had a good chat with him but didn't want to interrupt his work. It occurred to me the Ford part of the truck - the cab and front-end - was about the right age for a wartime vehicle so, at a bit of a stretch, it's possible it might have served locally with the RAAF. Like I said, a bit of a stretch!

On the way home we stopped at Forbes for a late lunch (check out The Mezzanine if you're passing through - great food). On the edge of town is a couple of paddocks with a mix of machinery including a Bedford D-type and this van. My first thought was she is an old outside broadcast van. I asked Bruce Gunter whose Dad drove a Bedford OB van for Channel 10. He recognised this as a Grace Brothers removalist van. Either a Bedford or a Leyland, there were quite a few of these on the road in the '60s/70s.

On the subject of the Bedford OB van, I'll be posting a story by Bruce about his Dad's experiences over on Bedford Trucks Worldwide - http://bedfordtrucksworldwide.blogspot.com/ - shortly.

NRMA Motorfest 2010

2010-01-27T22:18:00.008+11:00

Long-term ACC contributor Andrew Blacklock has sent in these pics of some of the 'heavies' at this year's NRMA Motorfest in Sydney. Closing off a few of the streets of the city's CBD and filling them with classic vehicles - only good things can come of that - is an Australia Day tradition. The public are shuttled around by buses from the Sydney Bus Museum (12 buses on the job this year).

Travels of an unemployed West Wyalong blog editor - Part One - NOW WITH WORDS!

2010-01-05T13:43:00.013+11:00

Above: Pat Morris took me to see this Beddy soon after we moved up here. I haven't seen a lot of S-types - the Big Bedford - in my time but they've always been of interest. Many disappeared when the TK arrived on the scene. In the great scheme of things, the TK's engine access trumped the R, S and the earlier C ...and it didn't even have a tilt-cab! I've since found a potential buyer for this truck so hopefully she'll be going to a very understanding home. Below: the Groat family who own the Mack E on the front page of ACC also have this old Gardner-engined Atkinson. She was used as a paddock harvest truck up to a couple of years ago and, as you can see from the radiator shot, she still has the Silver Knight badge. It is there, honest! The owner commented that she smoked a lot when cold but I told him that was a standard Gardner thing and it's a joy to behold!

Above: another Groat truck is this 1976 TK. I'm calling it a TK as I can't remember the official designation. An ex-railways truck, she now serves as the fuel bowser. Would make an interesting truck to restore. Imagine all the friends you could take with you! Below: one of four Thornycrofts seen on the day we went to see the LAD Albion below, this one is cheaply available with the cabs and other parts we found below. Just drop me a line as I'd like to pass them on to a home that has the time to restore them.

Above: this funky Austin had a very interesting rear bogie set up. I just wish I had taken a good photo of it! Below: also included with these Thornycroft cabs was a chassis, radiator grille and another engine.
The LAD Albions (white and yellow), the Austins and the Fordson V8 above were all found on the same property. The Fordson photo took a few goes with a fun backdrop of backlit clouds. This was the best of the lot. The original words for this post disappeared when I originally wrote them. Have only now had the time and inclination to write them all over again!

Happy New Year

2010-01-04T19:07:00.003+11:00

Hello, remember me? I'm your friendly old truck nut who has been a bit lazy of late. Can't believe the most recent entry (after this one) is October. Time flies when you're, err, not doing much!

I apologise for the quiet ACC of late. To be honest, I lost interest in old trucks in general. No, the passion didn't die - I still got excited seeing things on the side of the road - it just got buried under a few other interests and responsibilities. I've been pretty frustrated with my work situation, or lack thereof, but things are looking up in that respect. However finding several trucks in the local area that are 'target' projects for me and knowing they are relatively cheap but being unable to do anything about it has been very annoying and I basically threw my hands up in the air and thought "why bother?" So I took a step back from the 'industry' and looked elsewhere. What I have missed, though, is the down-to-earth people who get about the old truck world. Therefore expect phone calls or emails from me (if you can't wait, contact me!) in the near future as I endeavour to catch up with everyone.

I won't say we're back to business as usual yet - however I would like to thank Andrew Blacklock and Pat Morris for continually banging old gear at me to keep me 'on the hook' - but I spoke to Mal Wotherspoon this morning (he of the bright green Commer) and he has some great news which I'll hold until his photos arrive. Tomorrow, though, I'll give you a photo essay of what my travels have revealed over the past few months. There's a fine selection of everything from old rope shovels to hard-working White prime-movers.

To those who have popped in here hoping for new posts and not finding any, I apologise, the wait is over! Thanks for hanging around.

Andy

HCVC takes off in South Australia

2009-10-08T14:42:00.012+11:00

In the great scheme of things the Historic Commercial Vehicle Club (South Australia) hasn't been around for very long with 2009 being their first year for club events. Their recent Hills of Adelaide run was an outstanding success. How to keep such a high standard of event? A display at Port Adelaide will help. Throw in a bus trip and dinner the night before and you've got all the trappings of a good HCVC event.

With a club membership of about 50 already, the dinner was a marked success with roughly 30 people attending for the trip on the Obhan bus. On the Sunday, September 20, only 10 trucks were displayed but this was to be expected with hay season well underway. Having said that, the attending trucks, as you can see, were excellent.

Above: some superb restorations are coming out of SA these days. Good to see older restos, like Dave Kent's well-travelled Commer and the Austin's Morris Commercial, waving the flag too.

Murray Langford, who sent these great pics in, also drove in the 'Classic' Bay to Birdwood Run. This event attracted "50 or so" commercials ranging from ute to heavy bangers. Here's just a small selection. Driving my own truck in a Bay to Birdwood is one of my goals. I think I need to add an HCVC SA run or three to that list. Well done those men and women!

Top: the most stunning Inter AA ever? I think so! Above: tidy G88. Good to see older Volvos attracting as much attention as their English and American cousins.

Above: nice Dodge. Looks like she's just been retired or still works with an appreciative owner. Below: Commer CB prime mover. Phwoar.

Old Thunder Guts retires

2009-10-08T13:51:00.006+11:00

In September I received another welcome email from Mike Houghton. He said he'd just been with his wife to check out an AEC Marshall that was still working on a farm a couple of hours away. Peter Vincent, of yellow Octopus fame (see below), had bought the truck and asked Mike to go over her. As you can see from the photos, Mike found her very scruffy and well named - "Old Thunder Guts". How did she get this name? "Well, the muffler is very small and right behind the driver's ear and she does thunder", said Mike.

Above: note the muffler and exhaust. Mmm, noisy...

Mike reported the good news to Peter and they arranged to collect the AEC on Thursday, October 1 before checking her over on the Friday prior to an early start on Saturday morning for a 9am arrival in Gore for the start of the Southern Classic Commercials tour of Southland.

At the time, Mike said, "None of the other guys know that Vic is coming or that the Marshall will be there." It stands to reason that you can imagine their immense surprise at seeing the Marshall turn up. More on this and other wonderful Kiwi trucks on the run shortly.

What a magic, magic machine. She looks rough but if she can do the Southland run after a day's TLC...

On the road to Auckland - with Peter and Vic

2009-10-06T08:29:00.010+11:00

First of all, thanks to Mike Houghton for initially sending this email through waaaaaay back in May. Thanks also to Peter Vincent for permission to use his photos here.

Peter had bought a 20-foot box in Auckland and needed to pick it up. Taking along fellow Leyland nut Vic Draper (he of Hypo Hippo fame - loves LADs, must be a good bloke), they hit the road in what must be the best-travelled Octopus in the world (the yellow Ergo cab in the photos). On the way they stopped off at a number of interesting places. Perhaps the most interesting of all was Alf Williamson's yard which was found to be full of Crusaders and Ergo-cabbed AECs among others.

Top: Octopus, Alf, Vic and Crusader. Above: it's all there...and in good company.

Mike adds: "Alf's father, Stan, is a legend over here. He ran a fleet of 50-plus Crusaders on logs and drove a restored one on the Long Lap. Not bad for an 82 year old!!"

"Alf just loves GMs", said Peter.

Alf is doing a ground-up rebuild of an Ergomatic Mammoth Major 6. Peter continues: "It will have a GM 6-71 which it had been re-powered with before Alf purchased it."

Above: very early days in the rebuild of the GM-powered Mammoth Major 6.

Regardless of the engine (I know some of you will be most excited!), this sounds like it will be an impressive bit of gear once she's on the road.

I'll take this opportunity to also thank Mike, Peter and Vic for their efforts in getting/keeping a significant number of LAD and Ergo-cabbed trucks active. You all know my link to these 'style' of trucks, so to see them on the road in this part of the world really warms the heart.

You can tell Vic and Peter are good mates!

As Found - 1938 Inter D-series

2009-10-06T08:06:00.005+11:00

Jim Hawkes reports that this 1938 International D-series truck is quietly resting on a farm near Bathurst and is still does an occasional day’s work carrying firewood and performing other farm duties.

It has a strong local history. As can be seen from the sign-writing she used to belong to Bourke’s Transport of Bathurst (still operating) and is surviving well in the dry climate. One day she will be available for restoration but for the moment she continues to be a necessary part of the farm’s working equipment.

Pat Morris gets the Cummins going ... now for the Detroit

2009-09-16T02:02:00.002+10:00

AEC Monarch comes 'home'

2009-09-16T00:17:00.007+10:00

Andrew Blacklock and Paul Campbell, Scammell Routeman Mk II and Leyland Leopard owners respectively, bought this Monarch at auction in early May. Not seen for more than a decade, the AEC was previously owned by Smith's Transport - well-known beer haulers in the Newcastle area and former owners of AB's Scammell. Many of you may remember AB's coverage of the Scammell's last working day a couple of years ago.

The guys got the Monarch home the following week with Jeffrey Smith doing the honours of returning the truck to her rightful place alongside AB's Scammell in Smith's yard. The trip was not without a couple of minor headaches though. When they first tried to start it they discovered someone had snapped off the fuel return line at the auction viewing. Paul got that fixed and fitted a new set of batteries while AB bled it up. She fired up and ran well with most of the lights working and all electrics looking happy.

Once on the road the Monarch was singing along until just short of the shed when the fuel filter and lift pump gauze blocked. A clean, a nbew filter and a temporary fuel tank got her back 'home'. Over the next week, Paul and AB gave her a general tidy up in time for her to take her place in the Smith's line-up (with the Scammell, Albion and Leyland Reiver) at the Hunter Valley Truck Muster.

Above: Smith's for Service. The AEC among friends.

Since then the guys, both Hunter Valley Classic Commercial Vehicle Club members, have been chipping away at the AEC as time permits. Earlier this month they managed a good clean-up of the chassis and underbody and are over the moon with Hamilton Chrome's re-chroming efforts on the truck's front wheel dress rings (the photo says it all - stunning).

As mentioned above, the Smith's fleet is well known in the Newcastle area. Soon after the truck returned to its former home, Darrell Smith, now in his eighties, arrived home holiday and was asked to open the roller door while the family watched. He was very surprised and pleased to see the AEC on the other side of the door and could not believe that it had all been kept a secret for over a month!

Dubbo Truck and Vintage Tractor Show 2010

2009-09-16T00:03:00.004+10:00

Just in case you haven't heard, after a year off, the Golden Oldies are back with a show for 2010. Set-up (and other events) is Friday, August 6 with the show running over the weekend at the excellent Dubbo Showgrounds. If you have any questions, give Ed Eminson a ring - 0419 632 853.

If you are headed to the Alice Springs Reunion as well, secure yards with ramps will be available to store your truck/s between shows. This might save you a bit of time - pre-positioning if you will!

See you there.

We're back ... sort of!

2009-08-15T12:18:00.003+10:00

Hi all

Well, the move to West Wyalong has been interesting so far. West Wyalong? Jodi has got a job up here on the local mine and since she felt it was time to get her boots dirty again, we thought "why not". We're currently in the company transit house waiting for our house to have new carpets laid. It's dragging on a bit as we were supposed to be in last Wednesday (our stuff is currently in a container in Wagga and I'm working on three pairs of undies...) and now it's starting to look like we won't be in till this coming Wednesday. Jodi had been hoping to be settled before starting work but it looks like I'll be doing the unpacking.

On the job front for me, I'm hoping to get back on to driving trucks on the mine or anything else I can find. Apparently, the local sampling lab is looking for people so that'll be something different.

WW is a great little town. We're a bit hamstrung exploring at the moment as we can't leave the dogs anywhere but there's plenty of road trips ahead of us. Have already caught up with Pat Morris and seen the progress he's making with his projects. Look out Dubbo Golden Oldies 2010! With Pat's permission I'll hopefully feature some of his projects on here.

My trucks are back in Melbourne with the project Bedford ML hopefully sold (but not moving for a while). I'll be on the look out for something up here but we'll see. Got a few things to sort out first and lots of gas-bagging to do with Pat.

Found an awesome Inter AA120 three-axle tipper next to the Bridgestone here in town (shop also happens to be the locksmith as we discovered yesterday after locking ourselves out). Have pics on the phone so will get those up eventually.

Today is just a test in the new house to see if the net is connected etc. I probably won't be hooked up permanently till next week.

Until then,

Andy

On the move...

2009-07-21T09:05:00.001+10:00

Hi all

We're currently moving to New South Wales so I'll be offline for a while. We should be back on deck by mid-August.

Hope this finds you all well.

Cheers

Andy

A bit quiet on my side

2009-06-22T13:57:00.004+10:00

Hi all

Sorry for being a bit quiet of late especially in the form of blog posts. I've got at least three shows/runs and a heap of little features to put up but we've been pre-occupied of late.

Thanks to those who have kept in touch and kept sending in some great material. In the past few weeks I was lucky enough to finally meet Howard Pettigrew of Kiwi (and worldwide) Commer fame (http://www.commer.org.nz/) and catch up with Pat Morris. Great to finally put a face to a name in Howard's case and finally see Pat's collection - mmm.

Andy

Bridgetown Old Machinery Show - 2009

2009-05-28T20:23:00.009+10:00

I'm afraid the name of this show escapes me at the moment but this is the third instalment of something that started in 2004 if I remember correctly. From the photos below this is one of the best truck attendances I've seen in the West ...and just check out the Ridolfo Pete!

The line up below consists of, from right to left, Peter Johnston's 1953 Chev, a Ford A, Rob Hyde's V8 Inter, Brian Brooke's 110 (I think) van, a Dodge, Barry Kitto's R190 and Ted Pickston's equally stunning Foden (and a few others I can't ID).

Above: Daniel Ridolfo's stunning Peterbilt, 1960 or 1961 I think, was the first truck his family's business bought. I last saw her in 2004 sitting in a Kewdale workshop as a very well-restored rolling chassis and engine and I believe she was recovered from a sugar cane farm in Queensland. If Barry Kitto's R190 was the leading restoration from last year, this surely must be 2009's selection. Below: the attention to detail is superb.

Above: this Inter with the Kalgoorlie plates was restored 20 years ago by Bourkie who Victorians might remember came over with Barry to last year's Sandown. Below: Ted Pickston's magic Foden S20 is a former east-west prime-mover. You don't see many of these on the road down here!

Above: this B61 was originally restored by a haulier bloke in Geraldton before being sold to its current 'edge-of-Donnybrook' owner who has at least another 15 trucks in his collection (his name escapes me ... I'm doing well tonight!). She's a bit different in having her glove box lid signed by Slim Dusty.

Successful shows over the weekend

2009-05-18T09:27:00.007+10:00

Three major classic commercial shows were held over the weekend - one relatively new and the others well-established. The Hunter Valley Classic Commercial Club's Truck Muster - I think the last one was five years ago - was a great success and based on the text messages I was getting from Andrew Blacklock over the weekend, the organisers were beside themselves.

Similarly, the Heritage Truck Association held their regular Beenleigh weekend and pulled off a great show as always. Fine weather prevailed and the photos show this to great effect! Cam McFadyen will be writing a report on Beenleigh for ACC.

Over in Western Australia, the town of Bridgetown put on its bi-annual 'old time' show (I forget the official title) and there's a couple of nice surprises to feature there including what must surely be this year's best restoration. In the meantime, here's some pics to keep you excited.

Above: one of the highlights of the HVCCVC's Truck Muster was the line-up of Smith's Transport trucks - all now retired. From left to right: Andrew Blacklock's Scammell Routeman Mk II, Smith's Leyland Reiver, Andrew Blacklock and Paul Campbell's AEC Monarch and Keiran Jefferies' Albion. A lot of local history there. Below: Paul Harrison's rather impressive Volvo F717. Andrew Blacklock photos.

Above: Beenleigh is renowned for its large numbers of Macks in attendance but the range of smaller gear has to be seen to be believed. Here's a Dodge Power Wagon, Commer Superpoise and what looks like an Austin Loadstar fire truck. Perfect weather too. Cam McFadyen photo. Below: this Mack B85 is now owned by Des Hockley and is seen at the Bridgetown show. Mack only built just over 70 of this particular model of B85 and, IIRC, two came down here and she arrived in Australia substantially longer. As can be seen from the V in the roobar, she is a former Ridolfo truck (V for Vince Ridolfo). I first met her when previous owner Malcolm Macwatt bought her (I bought my old B61T off Mal). At the time she was pulling a float down in Esperance, Western Australia. She's Cummins-powered and sits on 24-inch rims. She certainly made my B look small! Barry Kitto photo.

How to pull your weight in PNG

2009-05-13T13:07:00.004+10:00

Completing a quick swing around the South Pacific today is the story of a well-travelled White. Lou Cowan’s brother, Dave, owns Complete Auto Services Ltd in Lae, Papua New Guinea. He deals in all things big, heavy and mechanical. The truck is actually a White Road Boss with a Western Star bonnet - White of course being the predecessor of Western Star out of Canada (that’s why the bonnet fits). Dave found it's easier to tell people she’s a Western Star rather than go through all the talk about the bonnet, the White and the Western Star relationship etc. The engine is a 330hp Cummins, the transmission a 13-speed Roadranger (but geared very well), the crane rated at 10 tonne and the winch weighs in at 15 tonne.

Dave found the White in a Deals on Wheels magazine a couple of years ago when he was in Cairns. From his previous experience in the New Zealand Army he knew the capability of the salvage gear as it was similar (although bigger) to the army unit he had used previously. The 15 tonne rear winch was larger than the army unit as well. Dave has since done a recovery with the winch reduced down to a 4:1 ratio – all up a 60 tonne pull.

Dave thinks the White was operating out of Sydney in the Blue Mountains but he bought it through a dealer in Sydney. The dealer emailed him a series of photos and Dave rang the previous owner (the name still being on the door). Based on this conversation, the truck was bought sight unseen, loaded onto a ship and freighted to Lae. She was tidied up a bit - the name "Hercules" was retained - and has been putting in honest and reliable work ever since.

Nothing midrange about this

2009-05-13T12:35:00.006+10:00

Now for some 100% Australian content. This is Warwick Bryce's Leader Midranger looking like she's progressing nicely. I saw her in June last year as a rolling chassis and engine. Peter Lynch caught her in March looking decidely more advanced. Apparently, all she was waiting for at the time was a tray. Well done, Warwick!

Adventures with Kiwi Mike

2009-05-13T11:22:00.014+10:00

Here's another trip from Mike Houghton in New Zealand. This time he went to Wellington for a show as a guest of Peter Vincent in late 2008. Peter owns the yellow Ergo Octopus - perhaps one of the hardest working, show-attending classic trucks in the southern hemisphere. Peter, a Leyland nut, owns Vincent Aviation operating out of Wellington and Darwin. Last year, Peter sold his AEC Mammoth Major 6 to a restorer in Napier and naturally had to deliver it!

In his travels Mike also visited Vic Draper's - Leyland nuts in New Zealand understandably tend to congregate. Vic is well known for his excellent Leyland restorations particularly his LAD-cabbed 'Hypo Hippo' which is perhaps the most impressively restored LAD ever. He's now working on a short-wheelbase Octopus which, given these photos were taken last year, would be well underway now.

Mike says:

You can see the new chassis rails on top of the 20ft box in the background. The cab is now finished and came from an Albion Riever that I picked up in Southland with my Beaver and carried to Picton for the start of the Long Lap in October 2007.

While at Vic's Mike snapped a couple of other vehicles in the Draper collection. Despite what the mudflaps say, the Loadstar has a GM 6V53 in it. The tractor, however, is not what you'd expect. She is powered by a Ford Cargo turbo motor and, according to Mike, is very smart off the line!

Finally for this Houghton instalment are a couple of photos of Mike and his yard in action. The Nissan (model anyone?) is still working for a local tree-lopping contractor and was parked in the Houghton yard overnight while the Merc on the back of Mike's Beaver (captured by Alex Vincent) is a mobile wardrobe as there isn't enough room in a Beaver for two people's clothes for a weekend! It's always great to see couples enjoying their old vehicles.

Derelict Hino ... and an album of old trucks

2009-05-12T10:25:00.007+10:00

Steven Holmes in the UK is an avid photographer of old trucks and other historic items as indicated by this great photo of an old Hino eight-legger found in a Lye scrapyard in the Black Country. He has a Flickr account full of photos which is well worth visiting - http://www.flickr.com/photos/fryske/

From page 15 you'll find a great selection of the old Scammell fleet owned by the Harrisons. This is a famous and legendary collection and includes more than 20 Scammell Rigid 8s (supposed to be rare aren't they?!), one of which is the second prototype, and even a Foden S80 that has never been registered and has only ever driven around the yard.

Kiwi Foden ... with a difference

2009-05-12T08:54:00.007+10:00

Vic Hungerford in NZ reports on this different-looking Foden (thanks to Cam McFadyen for forwarding the details).

The cab on this Fletcher's Foden is a NZ-built replacement. The truck is a 1954 model FETU, I think, which originally had the export version of the S18 cab. This S18 cab was a disaster which rotted out in no time which was why it was replaced with the Kiwi one. A friend of mine had an S18 which lived up to its reputation by rotting away very quickly. He replaced it with a plastic S21 Mickey Mouse cab.

This Fletcher's truck has a Foden two-stroke engine and Foden 12-speed gearbox. It was due to be started up yesterday for the first time in years. Fletcher's had a lot of Fodens - from the S18s right through every model up to the S10s.

Thanks for the info, Vic. Any word on how the start-up went?

What a great photo. If I was still doing the magazine, it'd be a great candidate for the cover!

Manufacturers Bottle Co - photos guaranteed to make you thirsty

2009-05-11T16:46:00.008+10:00

Murray Langford has sent in a wonderful batch of photos taken by Andy McNabb when he worked for the Victorian Manufacturers Bottle Co on the Darwin run. Sent to Murray by Zane Morrison, no background is known about the photos so any information as to the trucks, the companies and even the locations would be great please. Do any of the trucks still survive?

I've kept the original dimensions of the photos so you can see the original format of what are great archival items. How good would it be to see these combinations as restored vehicles? Lots of investment - yes - but what fun!

Above: An MBC Kenworth with a Foster's Lager roof sign. I'm hopeless with Kenworth models. Can anyone ID please? The B61 behind appears to have two stock crates hooked up with what looks like a water tank for the stock trailing the second trailer. Below: Sigh. Leyland bonnets! Super Hippos I reckon but definitely all MBC trucks. Any more details?

Another B61, this time a B61T I reckon, of Sydney Melb Transport. The tarp says DR & G Miller - Sydney (ring a bell with anyone?). The Kenworth with the impressive roobar has what looks like 'Cold Tap' on its headboard so must be another MBC beastie.

Highland Fling - The Oberon Highlands Steam and Vintage Fair 2009

2009-05-11T14:18:00.007+10:00

The Oberon Heritage and Collectors' Club, back in February, was not even a year old when it held its inaugural Highlands Steam and Vintage Fair over the weekend of February 20-22. To achieve any event with old vehicles is always a great achievement due to the fickleness of the attendees (the vehicles, not the owners...!) so for a new club to pull this off is truly remarkable. Congratulations to Jim Hawkes, president, and the club as a whole.

Jim commented on the show in an email to me back in March.

Held in conjunction with the 109th Oberon Show the fair was well-attended by more than 200 registered exhibitors and the public response was excellent. In attendance were six steam engines, two steam portables operating working farm displays, more than 30 oil engines and a big military display including a Centurion and Matilda tank. A good commercial vehicle display was seen with an excellent turn out of cars and tractors. A tractor pull operated on Saturday and Sunday and was well utilised by tractor owners wanting to give their machines a good work out. All in all, an excellent weekend that will only grow over the next few years as we become known as an event for enthusiasts of everything mechanical.

Sounds like something worth noting on the calendar.

Above: Well known truck and bus identity, Joe Fogarty attended and had a bit of spare time to complete some essential maintenance. Below: The Vernier traction engine being driven by Michael DeBomford.

Above: Steam traction engine line up outside the Tourist Hotel in Oberon. Below: The Clapham brothers and their Allchin traction engine.

Below: Ray Millington and his Brown and May portable belted up to a chaff cutter.

Reminder - Heritage Truck Show, Beenleigh, QLD - May 16-17

2009-05-11T10:39:00.007+10:00

This year's Heritage Truck Association show promises to be a big one so if you're in the area, check it out. As can be seen by the turn out very early on the Saturday morning last year, there'll be plenty to look at. Check out the ad to the lower right or visit the earlier post -http://oznzclassiccommercials.blogspot.com/2009/02/heritage-truck-show-beenleigh-qld-may.html - for further details.

Reminder - Truck Muster, Richmond Vale, NSW - May 16-17

2009-05-05T08:30:00.005+10:00

A little reminder of the Vintage Truck Muster being run by the Hunter Valley Classic Commercial Vehicle Club on May 16-17. If you can make it, the show promises to have a cracking turn out of vehicles and will include the first reunion of Smith's Transport's retired trucks. Their Scammell, AEC, Albion and Leyland will be together for the first time in a decade thanks to local collectors and the company itself.

Richmond Vale Railway Museum is on Leggetts Drive, Richmond Vale about four kilometres south of Kurri. You can still phone Scott Fayth on 0423 250 433 for further information. All the best guys, wish I could make it up there.

Mack R700 - Part Three or Macks make for many memories...

2009-05-05T08:18:00.004+10:00

It seems R700s have a pleasant effect on people as Rufus Carr's photos and information on the other side of the LAD article below have stirred up Cam McFadyen's deepest memories. The Call of the Wild, one of Buntine's R700s, was featured as the header pic of an article on the company in the May 1978 issue of Truck & Bus Transportation.

If you're interested, that's Noel Buntine on the right.

They're still out there! Lovely LAD.

2009-04-29T09:10:00.007+10:00

Graham Kircher came across this wonderful Leyland Hippo in early March. Other than the 'cage' (for sugar cane?) she is pretty much a carbon-copy of the trucks my Pop used to run in Tasmania - even down to the colour! I know they're not everyone's favourite trucks but I love 'em.

Mack R700 follow-up

2009-04-28T11:50:00.004+10:00

Rufus Carr from the Northern Territory is an absolute mine for classic photos of trucks - particularly those that were bombing around the NT in the 1970s. Naturally, he read Cam McFadyen's recent R700 round-up and, happily, he's dropped me a line with some great photos in response. Here's what he had to say:

The City Wreckers R700 was registered 126.298 (it's on the fuel card). She was Buntine's No.16 "Call of the Wild" although the name is not on it in these pics. Taken in Alice Springs in 1979 the truck is just back from a rebuild in Brisbane after a roll-over near Mt.Isa late in 1978. She is pulling two Gitsham bitumen tankers on contract to Shell Co. She was one of a pair owned by the company, the other was (un-named) No.14. There were two other similar Cummins R700s running in BRL colours. Both were owned by subbies. Number 20 was owned by Peter Deans and was mechanically the same as No. 14 & 16 but had the rare RP cab. Number 9,"The Gentle Giant" was owned by Jim McHours and differed slightly from the others in that she had Jim's favoured transmission - a 5x4 twin-stick Spicer.

Many thanks Rufo for these wonderful pics. It's great to make these historical links.

Photo challenge - Battling the elements

2009-04-23T10:29:00.006+10:00

Below you'll find the entrants of the photo competition which ran till the end of March or thereabouts. Which one do you like best? The winner will receive a nice little gift in the mail direct from ACC's comprehensive pile of merchandise...

Votes please to accemagATbigpond.com - replacing the AT with @ as always. In no particular order:

Above: October 1962, Cora Lynn, Victoria - what looks like a Inter K-series is stuck in the Main Drain during flooding (seriously, she didn't just empty her tank...). Stuck or, er, pumping hard?! You can see the goal posts of the Cora Lynn football ground in the background.

Above: taken somewhere on the Darwin run, a Kenworth tests its tensile strength.

Above: fed up with the weather, these blokes decided to move to sunnier climes. This is Fraser's of Newcastle, well known house movers, making their Federal do all the work.

Above: a different take on battling the elements. What's left of this GM-powered White is fighting moisture on all fronts - soft ground, moss and rust. Good thing she's a tough old girl.

Above: another flood photo. An AEC of OAK Dairies in Hexham, NSW, is perhaps lucky it hasn't floated away yet.

Above: dateline - September 1979. Location - near Hugh River, Northern Territory. The truck - April 1979 Kenworth W923AR of Buntine Roadways. The load - a double-decker and two single-deck 40-footers loaded with cattle from Maryvale Station headed for the Alice Springs railhead. The elements - heat and bulldust.

Above: Esso, oh, oh, no! Probably losing this battle is what looks like a Bedford J-type on fire in February 1967 on Pitt Road, Vervale, Victoria. One suspects the tiger in the tank was a smoker...

Mack R700 = living history

2009-04-22T12:18:00.007+10:00

Cam McFadyen has been bumping into R700s after a bit of a drought. Some recent travels have uncovered some gems. Here's what he found out:

I`ve always been a bit of a fan of the R700 Mack. After not seeing one for ages I spotted a blue and white one in a yard in Mackay back in January. Then Andy blogged Barry Kitto`s latest find in March and then on a recent trip to Darwin I came across ths red and white one owned by City Wreckers. The City Wreckers truck is ex-Buntine’s and is kept in top order. She’s still got the factory-fitted 350 Cummins, 12-speed Mack box and heavyweight back end. City Wreckers found an old Buntine’s fuel card when the truck was being painted and screwed it to the door for a memento – how’s that for a bit of history?! The blue and white one is also getting a freshen-up and is now in Victoria. I didn`t get a look to see which motor is in that truck though it looks like it would have come out with the V8 two-valve motor.

ANZAC Convoy deployment has begun

2009-04-21T09:54:00.010+10:00

I've been keeping in irregular touch with a couple of the participants of the Lang Kidby-organised ANZAC Convoy. One of the trekkers is Karen Bracken who is also a contributor to ACC. She has just started a blog of the preparations for the convoy and it certainly looks the part - http://www.anzacconvoy.blogspot.com/

Above: a wonderful photo of Karen and Dale in December with their almost completed GMC.

Friends from Western Australia who we lived around the corner from - Jim and Sandy Sewell - are also attending in their stunning Blitz radio van. Their blog is at - http://sewellnormandy.blogspot.com/

Here's an article and photos Karen was kind enough to send through a short while ago.

The Lang Kidby-led expedition of 15 Australian World War II Vehicles is now a reality. With members’ airline tickets booked and containers shipped and a definite port/deport plan in place Lang says “things are coming along nicely.”

The convoy will leave Istanbul on 1st June 2009 travelling through Europe via Greece, Italy, Switzerland, France and Belgium. Their object will be to reach Etreham, France, on June 2 where they will join the British MVT group and participate in the activities associated with the 65th anniversary of the Normandy D Day landing by the Allied Forces on June 6, 1944. “As excitement grows, and the word gets around, the scale of the experience significance is overwhelming,” says Lang.

In mid-February, fifteen WWII vehicles were containerised and are on their way to Istanbul from NZ, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Fremantle.

Expedition members carrying only their personal gear will then follow to help with the unloading and preparation of vehicles for the Anzac Military Convoy. “Hoops, tarps, bumpers and wheels are some of the items needing to be reinstalled and tyres will need to be pumped up. Once general maintenance is completed, then we’ll be ready to take to the road,” added Lang.

“Our first stop will be Gallipoli which will really emotionally stimulate those participants who haven’t been over before. Then south-westwards into Greece and Alexandropolis, Keramoti, Thessalonika, Volos, Athens and Piraeus. A visit to the Maleme war graves is a must.

“We’ll spend five days looking over the militarily significant island of Crete before departing from Patra by ferry for an overnight journey to Ancona. We’ll also spend a week in Italy traveling across the mountains from Florence via Pisa, Garlenda, Turin and Verbano, crossing the Swiss Alps via Seelisberg and onto Mulhouse in France, where, at Etreham, we’ll meet up with the (British) Military Vehicle Trust to participate in the Normandy activities [before] finally leaving Etreham to travel to the Australian National War Memorial at Villers-Bretonneux and then preparing for our journey home from Zeebrugge, Belgium on June 12.

“I expect to cover 5,000 kms and with 30 days of travel this averages out at 160 kms per day.

“Putting the military significance of this trip aside, it is about relaxation and explorative sight seeing and the pace reflects this. After all, the unpredictability of traveling in these old vehicles goes without saying,” says Lang. “Members have done their best preparation-wise but deadlines are always stretched with the result that most vehicles would never have been tried under these daily driving conditions, sometimes on large motorways, sometimes on country lanes and sometimes winding through the Alps.”

Above: some of the Queensland-based vehicles that will be doing the run. A Harley Davidson motorcylce will also be participating.

Happy travels everyone!

1,000 visits!

2009-04-17T09:34:00.000+10:00

Wow, thanks guys. Amazing.

Southern Classic Commercials - Final Run for 2008

2009-04-17T09:16:00.012+10:00

Mike Houghton, 'Beaver Steer' owner and an all round nice (and patient!) Kiwi chap, sent me these photos back in December of the Southern Classic Commercials out and about before the holiday season. Without any further ado, here's a fine selection of mostly larger classics.

Above: ERF A-series. Bogie-drive examples were local modifications? Below: this looks quite Chev to me. Can anyone confirm?

Below: very tidy White Road Boss (?) slotting between its English sisters.

Above: it's always great to see one of these cabs in good nick. Leyland Boxer (I'm guessing) looking like she still puts in a hard day's work. Below: Mike's pride and joy.

Above: a fine pair of Inters head the line up in this photo. The AB is a fire appliance and 4WD while the AA reminds me of a photo I took recently...

Malta Commercial Vehicle Rally - success!

2009-03-31T09:41:00.002+11:00

Have a look at what turned up for the First Annual Commercial Vehicle Rally on Malta - http://maltatrucksandvans.picturebook.org.uk/c1674030.html

Great to see such support for an inaugural event - a great variety of restored and still working vehicles.

If you're interested in finding out more about the old vehicles still getting around on the island visit the Malta Historic Vehicle Trust - http://www.maltahistoricvehicles.com/

Well done Peter Skerry and the team!

Conquering Australia's Northern Territory - with AEC

2009-03-30T21:48:00.004+11:00

Thanks to Neil Fraser - AEC afficianado - for this publicity article. From my point of view, there aren't enough restored AECs on the road down here particularly the tin-front cab as is featured on the Mandator at top right. There's quite a few restored trucks getting around now with spread-axle McGraths and the like. How awesome would it be to see an old restored AEC loaded to the hilt like the one at bottom right? Time machine! Well, sure, it won't get anywhere fast but that's not the point...

Out and about in NZ with HP

2009-03-30T19:04:00.005+11:00

Howard Pettigrew, Commer nut and owner of http://www.commer.org.nz/ , travels around a fair bit for work (and attending old truck rallies) so he regularly comes across old bangers that have seen better days, have been lovingly restored or, as is the case with this selection, are still giving their owners good service. Here's what H had to say about these three old girls:

The Inter was in the fog one morning - just up the road from where I live when I had an early start to Mid Canterbury. I was at the extreme of my camera's zoom. Must get a better one some time!

The Dodge/Commer RG was on a farm just outside the town I was working in called Methven. It had a load of seed of some sort on board and the farmer was sowing with his late model John Deere. There is another RG Commer on another farm nearby that is also in regular use. The interesting thing is that if you look closely at the Dodge you will see the lazy axle is in front of the drive and has only one wheel offset to the rear wheels, i.e. the track of the tyre is between the inner and outer rear. There are two TKs in the district with the same setup so it must be a local, and unusual, conversion.

Earlier this month after attending a commercial run of the Canterbury Branch of the Vintage Car Club around Christchurch I came across the early '60s KW which was being used as a tractor unit for a transporter.

The Beast from the Bush - by Ian Hinks

2009-03-30T16:09:00.003+11:00

A ‘beast’ by popular interpretation can be anything out of the ordinary – big, ugly, wild-eyed, mulish, bad-tempered, forbidding, dark, monstrous, obstinate and downright evil. This beast, to paraphrase a popular saying, is “high, not so wide and definitely very unhandsome” (read ‘ugly’).

This Beast was first seen languishing in the dusty confines of a vacant house block in the south-western NSW town of Ivanhoe some 200kms north of Balranald and a whole lot further up than Mildura or, to be precise, Cardross. She is (or was) a mobile crane – untidy, unlovely, unloved, unkempt, uncared for and very, very much ‘ungoing’. Subsequent enquiries and negotiations across state boundaries and at long distances, telephonically speaking, secured The Beast.

The Beast is a mobile crane based on a 1925-6 International Model 63 of 3 to 3 ½ ton capacity. The Model 63, along with the similar–looking Models 33, 43 and 103, were the heavy end of the International ‘S” series, or “Speed” series, developed in 1924. This series saw a design change to a more traditional configuration replacing the ‘coalscuttle’ Models 21, 31 etc - those where the radiator was behind the engine - of the late teens and early 1920s. The Model 63 was available in two wheelbases: 140 inch and a 165-inch ‘special’. The truck was powered by a four-cylinder OHV engine with a bore of 4 ¼ inches and a stroke of five. This engine is similar, at least superficially, to that used in the McCormick 10-20 tractor of the same period.

Interestingly The Beast appears to be the 165-inch ‘special’ version. This example has some characteristics of the Model 54 introduced in 1927. These are the addition of external tow hooks and a rear which is a fully enclosed double reduction internal gear differential with full floating axles. This axle replaced the internal gear drive of the Model 63 which had power transmitted through a differential and driving shafts to pinions meshing with an internal gear on each rear wheel - the so-called ‘hub reduction drive’. This differential set up is the same as used on the smaller Model 33s, 43s, 63s and several other models of International trucks as well as the ‘coalscuttle’ series. The rear springs are heavier and wider with a couple more leaves presumably to cater for the extra carrying capacity.

Top: the tow hooks on the front of the chassis. The indentations inboard of each hook are presumably for pushing. Above: huge reduction diff.

Above: the heavy rear springs.

The construction of the crane is the result of thoughtful engineering and adaption - thinking outside the box - and the very resourceful use of recycled component parts of former International vehicles particularly the ‘coalscuttle’ models.

The power for activating the cable drums comes from the power take-off (of which there are two) on the normal gearbox of the Model 63. This take-off drives, by way of a heavy chain, into a gearbox from a ‘coalscuttle’ truck located under the driver’s seat. The drive from the gearbox in turn acts on a ‘hub reduction differential’ (as described above). The differential has been turned upside down for some reason. Maybe it was easier to lubricate it through the drain plug?

A chain on each end of the axles (where a wheel would be) drives, on one side, the drum for operating the boom and, on the other side, the drum for the running rope and hook. One drum is located forward and the other to the rear. Each chain drive mechanism hides behind a large cover. The crane jib has only an up and down motion. There is no slewing ability.

Above: chain cover. Note the brake drum in position behind the cover. Below: the 'coalscuttle' truck gearbox below the driver's seat. Note the heavy chain drive from the gearbox. The levers to control the drums were formerly leg-vice handles!

Above: the jib in the lowered position.

Despite the original chassis being seven inches deep and ¼ inch thick with eight cross members, a piece of ½ inch flat steel, 3 inches wide, has been added to the length of the chassis to help cater for the extra weight of lifting machinery and operational stresses when operating as a crane.

Little is known of the history of the crane except that she was constructed and used in Cabramatta, New South Wales in the early thirties. One wonders what the crane was used for? Obviously there was a need for it to be built but the Model 63 trucks were slow, but strong, and already heavy before adding all the superstructure of the crane machinery and supporting steelwork. Steering would have been extremely heavy and difficult (with solid tyres?).

To overcome the difficult steering the diameter of the steering wheel was greatly increased to get an easy result for the effort exerted. Whether this was part of the original pattern or was increased when the crane was at Ivanhoe is debateable.

The engines of the Model 63s were governed to 1,350 revs. The 10-20 tractor revved only at about 900rpm. Local legend has it that for at least the last 8-10 years of its working life in the yard of a local transport operator, lifting stock crates on and off trucks as required, the engine ran and worked on three cylinders. Stories abound of owners of this series of engines disconnecting the governor mechanism to get a little more ‘go’ in performance. This led to perhaps predictable results as engines “threw a leg out of bed” with shattering results. This engine is no exception. There is one large, jagged hole in the crankcase. This, of course, accounts for the three cylinder configuration.

Above: testimony to an owner's folly.

The Beast is quite heavy enough without the added weight of the cables, cable drums, chains and gearboxes. Notwithstanding this, and the flat-at-the-bottom nature of the tyres, it took some four hours of heavy breathing, strident and unprintable profanities and other such imprecations along the lines of ”You don’t have to be mad but it helps!” and some heavy hand winching to get the beast aboard the Ford F700 which brought it home. Needless to say it was a slow trip back to Cardross.

Nevertheless there is another interesting feature about this vehicle. The original large solid steel wheels with the solid rubber tyres have been altered at some time. The original steel spokes and centres remained after the removal of solid rim and solid tyre. The wheels have been fitted with Goodyear pneumatic tyres on demountable rims. At this period of transport development in the late 1920s/early 1930s many tyre manufactures produced kits containing the necessary components and instructions on to how to make the changes. On many tractors one can see the name of Dunlop, Goodyear and other tyre manufacturers cast into the steel wheels. How do we know this occurred here? The spacers in the rear duals are stamped “Goodyear”.

It was a MAD, MAD, MAD Day

2009-03-29T15:17:00.003+11:00

The Motorist Appeciation Day in Swansea, New South Wales on February 1 was a resounding success held under sunny skies. The Hunter Valley Classic Commercial Vehicle Club as usual had a good turn out as can be seen from this photo from Andrew Blacklock. Glen Richards' two AECs are parked either side of what looks like a former fire brigade ACCO. In the background is Keiran Jefferies' 1965 Albion Chieftain My Scotstoun Lass.

The Nullarbor Kid Trust

2009-03-28T21:03:00.012+11:00

Pioneering long-distance driver and Road Transport Hall of Famer Ray Gilleland has set up a fund called “The Nullarbor Kid Trust". Its object is to help with school fees once a year for children who have lost their Dad in the trucking industry. For every book sold a percentage will be added to the existing fund. The interest earned each year from the fund will be divided among children whose names are submitted by anyone that knows of such cases. It won’t be a great deal for each child but even a small amount will help a struggling mother in these tough times. Donations are not asked for as this is not an accredited charity. The distribution of monies will be administered by a public accounting firm around the beginning of each school year on the recommendation of interested parties. Details and names of administrators apart from Ray will be posted here as soon as they are finalised.

Now, the book. Many of you will be familiar with Ray's book as it was released several years ago. I seem to remember Ray wasn't overly happy with the publisher's efforts and, as an editor of sorts, I can see what he means with some of the editing. Be that as it may, nothing is taken away from the enjoyment of reading Ray's escapades. Each "chapter" is committed to one of his many adventures and illustrated with magnificent period photos of the trucks Ray called home. It makes for a hell of a fun read and you're reminded that the drivers that opened up this country did it without airconditioning, 600hp, power-steering or, in most cases, a sleeper bunk. But then, that's why we love old bangers. Yes, they're uncomfortable and slower but they're honest, solid (maybe a bit too solid!) and you can still meet the men that stirred them into life. Ray's My Way on the Highway is one man's contribution to Australia's road transport history. If it's not in your library you're missing out.

The official bit. The remaining stock of this book is now being offered for sale at a reduced cost. It will never be released again in this form. It may be a collector’s item one day. If you have one buy a present for someone. At more than 220 pages, it’s a great read.

$35 including postage in Australia (overseas orders can be arranged - ask Andy). Prompt delivery.

Send money order or cheque to:
GILLELAND FAMILY TRUST
PO Box 759

Pacific Fair
Queensland 4218

Australia
Email: nullarborkidAThotmail.com (replacing AT with @)

Andrew McIntosh's Blitz transformation

2009-03-27T12:33:00.004+11:00

Andrew McIntosh's dual-cab Blitz is approaching the end of her transformation and will be a welcome sight on the event scene. Here she in a state of slight dis-dress. Fortunately, the same cannot be said for Andrew...

Two double deckers - Leyland and AEC

2009-03-27T12:23:00.003+11:00

Andrew Blacklock took his Leyland Atlantean (co-owned with Keiran Jefferies) out for a maintenance run a couple of weeks ago and came across this former Hong Kong AEC in Cessnock. They make quite the pair.

More than 500 visits before the end of March!

2009-03-27T12:20:00.003+11:00

When I put the site counter up (thanks Roly Turner of http://magpie-obl.blogspot.com/) I did so for a bit of fun. I never thought it'd reach more than 500 visits before the end of the month. Thanks to everyone who has visited. I hope you have enjoyed the content of the blog. Thanks to everyone who has sent stories in. Please continue to do so!

WANTED: LONG-ARMED TK HELPER

2009-03-26T18:02:00.006+11:00

Apologies to Ian Storrie but I couldn't resist this little story from him regarding reparing the timing case oil seal leak on his recently acquired 1978 Bedford TK. Ian is continuing to tidy her up after licensing but this little episode has slowed him down somewhat. The photo was taken mid-tidy a couple of months ago. Ian continues:

Not as bad a job as expected! Took around 1.5 hours to get the radiator out on my own with no damage. Had to borrow a puller from the local Holden dealer to get the harmonic balancer pulley off. Took the old seal out and went to a local engineers' supply to get a new seal and Speedi-Sleeve due to some wear on the shaft. The seal that came out was 2 1/8" and when he got the new one it was a sloppy fit on the shaft. He got on the phone to a mob in Tamworth and they tell him it should be 2 1/16" so now we know why we had a leak! Have to wait for a new seal from Tamworth as they don't stock the smaller one. That should get here tomorrow. Then it all has to go back together! We could have a problem though as my arms are not quite long enough to reach the radiator adequately so there may be a need for a friend with longer arms to visit! I was just able to get the fan shroud screws out but might not be able to get them back in!

NOS ACCO guards available - Bendigo

2009-03-25T11:30:00.004+11:00

Mark Holloway sent me an email at the start of the month regarding some new old stock ACCO guards he had found at Midland Truck Wreckers in Bendigo (03 5446 8722). Here's what he had to say:

The wreckers have these Acco guards for sale. They've never seen an angry day, never been fitted. Not sure if they fit both long and short door but definitely fit the short door.

Thanks Mark, sorry to take so long to get these up, mate. I hope they are still available.

Since we're talking Aussie Atkis...

2009-03-25T11:23:00.004+11:00

...here's a pic from Ian Storrie of a fine example (a Tupperware truck as he called it!) he came across last year in Queensland. She was for sale (cheap!) and Ian seems to remember she had an 8-71.

Armed with a mobile phone 2

2009-03-24T12:36:00.003+11:00

I was in the city yesterday and wandering around after an interview. I think I'd just turned into Lonsdale Street heading towards Heffernan Lane and the military bookshop there when this beauty got caught in traffic. I snapped a shot with the phone and was lucky enough to get a break in the traffic so the Atki can be seen from the wheels-up. I'm sure I've seen her before. Anyone?

The TK was seen today in the car park behind the Pakenham shops. I'll stick my neck out and say she's post-1973 (indicators and "modern" dash helped). Owned by AT and M Kozaris - Certified Organic Beef and Hay Producers and Sellers of Tynong - she appeared in very good nick. It's been ages since I've seen a van body on a TK so this old girl was particularly pleasing to see. Sorry about the front-end shot. I had to make do with the shadow!

Graham Kircher - Collectors - ABC TV

2009-03-24T12:16:00.002+11:00

As many of you know and as was reported here recently, Graham Kircher's collection of classic commercials (and his wife's fire truck...) featured on Collectors on ABC TV last Friday. In case you missed it, you can see it again on the Collectors website or here (which might be the same thing):

http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/tv/collectors/O4062_Trucks.mp4

Tempus Fugit

2009-03-24T12:09:00.003+11:00

It's amazing how time flies. Since the post below I've progressed with the job hunt, had a trip into the city for an interview, have helped Jodi organise for her work trip to India, managed the trip to and from the airport at 0430 and done some work around the house. That's just the things I remember and I definitely know I forgot to go to the working horse show at Nyora on Sunday, March 22! Have got some cool updates to post and a few things to catch up on (Dubbo) so here goes.

Armed with a mobile phone 1

2009-03-13T18:11:00.003+11:00

Mobile phones with cameras are bloody useful when you're out and about and an old banger pops up. In my case, I'm usually driving so can only look on wistfully as the old girl bombs passed (as was the case with the bogie drive ACCO and bogie trailer today). However, sometimes it all comes together...and I find myself wishing I had a camera in the glovebox! Still, a camera phone is handy.

Yesterday, I managed this bad photo of a six-wheel ACCO (the sign in the body says Foundation Investigation Unit and that's an old R-Model Mack behind the Kenworth) and today, while getting some groceries, this C1500 tipper was parked nearby. Not a bad old girl but then I do have a soft spot for tippers! Note the farm licence.

Rare Fiat 682

2009-03-13T13:38:00.007+11:00

Ian Storrie sent in this photo of a rare Fiat that he is considering adding to his collection. While he has just registered his Merc 1418 and Bedford TK, Ian is obviously after more of a challenge although he reckons it shouldn't be too hard to get some Rockwell rears! Apparently, two of these trucks (Ian I hope I have this right) were imported for the Snowy scheme. Note the Italian name on the driver's door.

Can anyone add to the history of what would restore as a rather impressive beast?

Golden Oldies Dubbo - July 2008 - Part One

2009-03-13T11:15:00.010+11:00

Above: I can't remember what McCutcheon's Superliner delivered but I was kneeling on the edge of the oval with a low sun behind me as she reversed passed. The sun broke through the clouds and highlighted the golden Mack. Right place and right time and the result is one of my favourite photos from the weekend.

It's not often I get to put some of my own photos in the magazine or blog so here's a good excuse to do so. My father-in-law, John, and I travelled up to Dubbo from Melbourne on the Friday before the Golden Oldies show. It was my first time driving in that part of the world so an excellent road trip was had. We arrived in the late afternoon and after checking into the hotel we wandered down to the showgrounds to see what had turned up and watch the new arrivals through the gate.

The photos below are from that Friday evening shoot. Over the entire weekend I took more than 400 photos. I am only posting the best ones (I'm pretty critical of my photos) so if you don't see a truck that you know was there please just ask if I managed to shoot it. If I did, I'll post it.

Above: the Knights' Diamond T parked up prior to giving its GM a "sound check" for Graham McKie! I think this is close to the first photo I took for the weekend. I've been getting returns from the Knights' email address. Anyone know them? Below: a very nice 1922 Model T tanker parked around the back of the unloading area.

Above: Bernt Damm's Merc 1924 in fine light. She sounded pretty good too. The Knight DT is in the background no doubt waiting for a clear run for the McKie camera! Below: this Dodge arrived earlier and really looked the part in her working clothes.

Above: this Bedford KM was powered, from memory, by a GM 6-71 and the owner had plans to put a 12-cylinder GM in her! For some reason I remember his name as Percy? Below: I really have no idea what this is. I'm thinking International but am happy to be corrected.

Above: Peter and Andrew Marquet picked up their new Leyland Comet on the way down to the show in their Autocar. I'll post the entire combination later but couldn't resist this semi-sunset shot.

As Found - Taswegian Leyland Terrier

2009-03-11T18:22:00.003+11:00

From Jim Hawkes comes this rather forlorn but also rather fantastic Leyland Terrier patiently waiting her time to turn a wheel again. She looks relatively complete and full of character...thank goodness for pine trees. Here's what Jim had to say:

Seen just this month is this Leyland Terrier in northern Tasmania awaiting recognition and rescue. She was Unit Number 5 owned by Goliath Portland Cement Co Ltd of Railton (Tas) and was retired to the farm on which she now rests. She's not for sale as the farmer is happy to see her as part of his machinery graveyard around the farm. Tare weight was 9t on 6cwt.

Certainly one to keep an eye on although, given the price of getting a truck across Bass Strait on the ferry, she'll probably be a bit more attractive to a local enthusiast.

Barry's long-nose Mack

2009-03-11T16:54:00.009+11:00

Above: then...photo by Peter Ramsey via Murray Langford.

Some of you will already know about Western Australian collector Barry Kitto's latest project - a Mack R767. Barry had been looking at a few R-models but nothing had really struck him as the "right" truck. It was while arranging to look at an L-model that we'd talked about for ages that he heard about this R tucked away at the back of the yard. It turns out she was quite a well-known truck - indeed, she was a Truckin' Life Rig of the Month winner in 1976 and was the first prime-mover in the Northern Territory to be rated for triple tanker work. Here's a then and now style photo presentation while I tack together everything Barry has told me about her. As you can see, she's got a way to go before she's returned to her former glory but if any of you saw Barry's R190 at Sandown last year, you'll know she's in good hands. For those who haven't seen her, I've attached a photo of the award-winning 190 pulling passed our place in the rain on November 22.

Below: now...awaiting the Kitto treatment she deserves.

The Duffin Worldmaster

2009-03-11T16:47:00.005+11:00

This bus was built for the Municipal Tramways Trust (MTT) of Adelaide by Freighter Lawton in 1958. She operated as MTT bus No. 907 from 1958 until the early 1980s. After withdrawal she was sold to Colin Hirst of Melbourne, Victoria for preservation and kept with other preserved buses in Drouin (Ed – does anyone have any idea if these buses remain in Drouin or what happened to Colin’s collection?). ‘907 was used regularly at rallies and taken to displays. During this time the engine seized and a new one was sourced and fitted. This engine is barely run-in with less than 10,000 miles travelled since installation. Following the Colin’s untimely death, the bus was sold in 2004 to Graham Duffin for continued preservation. Graham grew up in Adelaide and used to travel to school on these three-door Worldmaster buses which is what inspired him to obtain ‘907. She is now displayed at Heritage Park, Pimpama where she gives joy rides and is taken to rallies and other events. She resides with sister bus No. 905 which is owned by the Heritage Bus Association.

Thanks to Graham Duffin for the excellent photo and details

Forged by fire - a blacksmith's Volvo

2009-03-11T12:52:00.008+11:00

Mark Holloway reports on a Volvo N10 in good hands.

Peter Embury is a very talented man. Based out of Bendigo he is a qualified carpenter who took up work as a farrier when his wife was a partner in a riding school. A logical extension to farrier work is blacksmithing and Peter applied himself to such an extent he went on to become Victorian Champion Blacksmith in 1994. His smithy skills have since won many awards at various shows though more recently he has been a stall-holder demonstrating his skill and selling hand wrought products. He still wins awards for best exhibit though!

Peter was the local smithy at Maldon for many years but can now be seen at shows as far afield as Sydney and Brisbane. He initially took his tools and stock in a 5th-wheel gooseneck van behind an HZ Holden twin-cab ute (both made by him). The overworked HZ was replaced by a Ford F350 diesel and the trailer was eventually superseded by a 20ft curtainside container (more on that later).

A good mechanic and skilled fabricator, Peter performed some crafty work to the container so that it unfolds to be an old fashioned blacksmith shop complete with veranda (Best exhibit Royal Melbourne Show). However paying someone to cart the container around the country was not good for the bottom line, so why not buy a truck? Admittedly Peter knew nothing about them but, undaunted, got his truck licence, searched Ebay and bought a Volvo - because it had hydraulic legs.

Top: the N10 as bought. Above: functional and well used office.

The N10 1985 model probably spent its early career with Brambles as a prime mover but was bought from Southern Farm Supplies of Bega by Peter in late 2007. It is not known if there were other owners or who did the chassis stretch and added the legs but they were probably added to suit Southern Farms as they used the truck to deliver bins of fertiliser products to farms for spreading. The empty bin was placed on the back of the truck and filled with fertiliser before being driven out into the farmer’s paddock. The truck would then lift itself up on its four hydraulic legs and the folding legs on the bin would then be set up. Once the legs were supporting the bin, the truck would drop down and drive out. The spreader could then load by driving under the bin.

This was exactly what Peter needed - a suitable truck with ready-to-go hydraulics. On inspection the truck was a little worse for wear but sound. In short order, Peter started making legs across his container’s ends. The lift is too great for a single stage so intermediate legs are required to hold the container halfway up while second stage legs are lowered - very clever. The container was then covered with authentic 1900s-looking weatherboard cladding and the result was a blacksmith’s shop on legs.

Above: the two-stage jacking system.

Tackling the Volvo, Peter attacked the front of the tray, slashed a hole in the back of the cab, slipped on an old Scott’s sleeper, plonked a scoop on the roof, cut in some container pins on new rails, slapped some Brambles orange paint about and with only days to spare he was off to Tamworth for his first trip January 2008…and all went well.

Very recently he bought another N10 prime mover for parts. How could you go wrong???? Easy. There are lots of differences - even the wheel nuts seem to be different. I know that won’t stop Pete. He can fix, mend, shape and create. You should think about all those original hinges on your dropside trays, rims on your wagon wheels, panel work and welding. If you want it, Pete can do it!

Postscript: the Volvo suffered an electrical fire recently. But for the quick response of the local CFA, the truck would have burnt to the ground. Fortunately, only the cab suffered major damage. In true Embury style, she has already received a new cab and scoop as can be seen below. Apparently it’s quite likely the new colour scheme will spread across the rest of the truck.

Graham Kircher's collection to be featured on ABC Collectors

2009-03-11T09:19:00.003+11:00

Last year, the ABC TV Show, Collectors, visited Queensland collector Graham Kircher to film his extensive collection of classic commercials. We've since been waiting for notice as to when his collection will feature on the box. Andrew Blacklock, mover and shaker with the Hunter Valley Classic Commercial Vehicle Club, has let me know it looks like Graham's story will feature on Friday, March 20th. Put it in your diary!

Donington, UK - March 21, 2009

2009-03-11T09:14:00.003+11:00

Inter KB still at work?

2009-03-11T08:23:00.006+11:00

My parents-in-law are currently buiding a house and it is approaching completion after a fair bit of foot-dragging by the housing company. John, my father-in-law, popped round to see how the site clean up was going on Sunday and was surprised to see an old International tipper being used by the contractor. My first thought was C-series of course but John said she was a biggish thing with a long bonnet and nice curves. He had even spoken to the owner who had said she was a 1949 model. So, based on this basic info, I'm thinking at least KB6/KS6. Oh how very cool!

The contractor apparently has to clean up the two neighbouring properties as well so I think I had better do a stake-out. Better break out the thermos. Can you get arrested for stalking trucks?

Another one to hunt down.

Malta's First Annual Commercial Vehicle Rally - March 28, 2009 - just in case you happen to be in the area

2009-03-11T08:16:00.004+11:00

After a couple of false starts, one of the last bastions of large amounts of definite classic working trucks and buses is getting an event it deserves. At least 50 vehicles are confirmed already. If you can make it, drop Peter Skerry a line for more information - skerryATmaltanet.net (replacing the AT with @ of course).

Woolley Foden update

2009-03-06T17:45:00.006+11:00

Since we're on the subject of Fodens (well, we were on Feb 23 and it could be argued that you never stop thinking about Fodens...or Kenworths or Dodges or...), remember the "time capsule" Woolley Foden from last month? Well, John Salisbury, the Foden Society's Publicity man, remembered this truck from an issue of The Foden News back in what turned out to be April 1971. He's trawled his archives and here's the article. The pics haven't scanned well but the words are great - great memory, John! Click on the pictures to get a bigger and easy-to-read version.

If this isn't enough Foden news for you, just wait.

Time flies but you can stop and rest in Yarragon, Victoria

2009-03-06T17:10:00.008+11:00

It's amazing how you get stuck into things and the days fly by. Doesn't seem that long ago that I posted on here but, according to the previous post, it was Feb 25. What is it now - March 6? Nuts.

Spied a nice C-series Inter just down the road from our place - fully sign-written (slightly worn) and proudly displaying "Pakenham Upper" on its side. Another one to hunt down.

Popped down to Yarragon on the Princes Highway today to pick Jodi up from a work trip to some nearby coal mines. We had planned to meet at the two BPs further up the road before you get to the Drouin turn-off but Jodi had rung to say there were some cool little shops in Yarragon and it was "only about 20 minutes further on". Since I'm always up for a road trip of any sort I quite happily met her there and walked the main drag. Yarragon is one of those little towns where the highway runs passed the main street (running parallel to the dual carriageway) which is lined with cafes, a pub and numerous boutique/craft-type stores. I'm always keen for a wander through these places as you never know what you're going to find (plus the town's war memorial is usually nearby and these are always interesting - Yarragon lived up to this "rule of thumb"). I came away successfully with a nice china mug with an FT3-ish Albion flat being loaded in a typically English farmyard scene - there was a whole pile of them so it's definitely not an antique, one-off find.

However, what I thought was rather fun about Yarragon, from a truck point of view, is that you can sit at a cafe - inside or out - and just watch the transport industry roll passed on the highway. Everything from local delivery pantechs to the odd cocky's workhorse and right up to tri-tri B-double curtainsiders and bulk grain carriers. To be honest, I reckon I could sit there for quite a few hours and just watch the world go by. It also re-affirmed my belief that there certainly are some very tidy machines on this side of the country.

I won't mention Jodi's comment about the TK cab she saw in Yarragon. She remembered as we came back passed Warragul. Ah well, next time!

The White Truck Muster - Kyabram, March 21-22, 2009

2009-02-25T13:44:00.004+11:00

It'd be interesting to see a Euclid or two at the show. Thanks to Peter Marquet for sending this through.

The Bedford Bar? Where else but New Zealand!

2009-02-25T12:04:00.008+11:00

There are several great bastions around the world that you can visit relatively easily and see old trucks still working away in large numbers. Malta immediately springs to mind and, perhaps less known, Turkey's not too bad either (I still regret not being quick enough with the camera when we drove passed a Mack B61...and not having a long enough lens to shoot the long row of LAD-cabbed Leylands parked about 500 metres off the road...then there's the little 1940s Chev tankers and...). To some extent you'd have to include Australia as a place to see old bangers "in the wild" as they pull more than their weight (literally!) in the various rural industries.

However, if you want to go somewhere that seems to have a greater proportion of old gear still working and feel like mixing it with some great scenery, New Zealand would have to be the place to go. After all, the country is home to the greatest private vintage truck collection in the world - The Bill Richardson collection in Invercargill.

In particular, New Zealand has fairly recently become known as a bit of a Bedford haven with many of the post-war models still getting about. It makes sense, then, that you'd have a restaurant dedicated to the marque. Howard Pettigrew sent in these pics of The Bedford Bar in Hope right up the top of the South Island. Besides being a tribute to the Bedford marque and its contribution to the local communities, there is a K-type parked out the front, another in the beer garden and the owners have revealed a delightful sense of humour by modifying the Bedford Griffin logo to include "feeding tools" and maintained the theme by being clever with the names of dishes on the menu (click on the photo to see a bigger version).

Now, if you're feeling a bit parched and need a feed, could you not think of a better place to park yourself than an old truck-themed establishment?

Original International K4 still turns heads

2009-02-24T13:45:00.005+11:00

Above: This photograph must have been taken very early in the life of the K4. The paintwork is very new (dark blue) and the small square on the top of the windscreen is a temporary registration note used before plates were issued from the (then) Motor Registration Branch. The photograph also illustrates the set-up for tank and windmill erections.

For those of you who have been to the Road Transport Hall of Fame in Alice Springs (sadly, I can't say I am on that list yet), you may remember a little blue Inter K4 sitting happily in her original civilian paint. This is the story behind one of the smallest vehicles on display at Australia's greatest heritage transport venue. Ian Hinks reports.

Our K4 International was “demobbed” in about 1946 and was purchased very soon after by an engineer who resided in Ballarat (as the door sign indicates). The business specialised in the installation of water tanks and the erection of windmill towers. The truck was purchased through the local IHC dealer who had checked out the condition of the truck after Army use. The truck was fitted with new tyres, a new exhaust system and provided with four new wheel caps.

She was originally built with only half doors and cabin - a typical Army style. The cabin finished about seven or eight inches above the windscreen top. The new owner, Mr Ellis, proceeded to build the cabin top and two full-length doors. These additions are wood-framed and the doors contain wind-up windows. At the rear of the truck, and located between the chassis rails and under the tray, was the necessary poles and winch gear required to erect the windmill stands. One legacy of her wartime involvement is the small clip attached to the dashboard just near the glove box. This leather-covered clip was for holding a rifle vertically and could be readily got at if required.

After working around the area for some years the truck was pensioned off and relegated to a shed during the 1970s. In 1984 she was purchased and taken to Mildura. By this time the truck had been well used as seen from the fading paintwork, numerous bumps and scratches. The engine had seen better days and the purchaser sold it to my son, David. The truck participated in the 1993 Mildura Vintage Vehicles Club Easter Rally where it created smiles and comments from many because of the signwriting on the tray sides. Participants in the rally from the Ballarat area said they could remember the truck working in their area.

Above: the K4 as seen in 1993.

Unfortunately the engine was very tired and smoky so David gave it a set of rings which improved the performance no end. No other alterations or additions were made. The truck remains ‘as found’.

In 1995 the family and friends decided to attend the opening of the Alice Springs Road Transport Hall of Fame. Preparations were made with the intention of driving three trucks – a 1951 Ford tray, a 1948 International KB6 tray and a 1942 ‘Jailbar’ Ford tray. Nearing the departure date the 1951 played up so, rather than chance the trip, David loaded up the 1944 K4 on the back of his working bee (apiarist) 1966 Ford F700 and accompanied the two others.

The idea was, as the Hall of Fame would have a lack of exhibits in its early stages, to leave the K4 with the museum as an example of an unrestored, original working truck. Twelve years later the truck is still there and still creating much interest to visitors.

SOS from Jim Armstrong - Bedford restorer

2009-02-24T13:34:00.003+11:00

A request for help from Jim Armstrong:

I moved to Australia from Scotland in October 08. In Scotland I had and have had a lot of old Bedford trucks and I swore I wouldn't get involved with any old trucks on this side of the globe (Ed - no point fighting it, Jim)but, hey, I've gone and done it again and bought a little 30cwt Bedford J-type. I need some bits and bobs for her and was wondering if anyone can help. I'm looking for a set of Bedford J hubcaps, a mint front bumper, a pair of new or mint front wings/mudguards and, if possible, a genuine pair of front side-parking lights and a new rubber cab floor mat. Please get in touch if you can help by email ( tarmacrepairsATyahoo.co.uk ) or by calling 0432 381 501.

Speaking of Fodens...magnificent refueler

2009-02-23T16:56:00.006+11:00

Since we're on the subject, I've had this magnificent photo from the world's luckiest truck hunter, Jonathan Pye, in reserve for several months now. JP came to Australia from the UK in 1991 for a lengthy holiday. In the process, he managed to turn up some remarkable old trucks still working for a living (and some that had been ridden hard and put away wet!). This Foden is just one of his finds and, like the others, you have to wonder where it is now. Surely something as cool as this still survives? JP continues:

I saw this one still in service at Merimbula Airport, New South Wales, in February 1991. Apparently, she started off life at London Heathrow Airport in the early 1950s before heading to Australia (for 10 pounds I wonder?). Merimbula was the first smallish airport I stopped off at just to see what refuellers they might have! My jaw dropped several feet when I saw the Foden going about her business around and between the aircraft (fueled by the same kerosene she supplied to the aircraft). Of course I was convinced there must be other similar gems at other airfields and I went miles out of my way on several occasions hoping to catch another one in use. It was only much later on my trip when I talked to a BP Australia engineer who informed me that "The one in Merimbula was the last one in Australia in use!" Happy memories of beginners luck!

Honour for Foden designer

2009-02-23T16:29:00.004+11:00

John Salisbury, publicity officer for The Foden Society, has written in with news of a well deserved honour.

Mr Jack Mills MBE has been awarded Honorary Presidency of the Foden Society. For those who don't know who Jack Mills is, he is the man that, in 1946, designed Foden's four-spring, balance beam, rear suspension used on rigid vehicles. This design continued in production on Foden vehicles right up until the advent of rubber suspension in the late 1970s. He also designed spiral-finned brake drums to assist brake cooling and many of the cabs in the 1960s. Jack was awarded the MBE in the 1954 New Year's honours for the part he played in the research and development of the legendary Foden two-stroke diesel engine (Ed - a most deserved honour!). By the time Jack retired from Fodens in 1979 he had been promoted to the board of Directors.

You don't see many of these around...or do you?

2009-02-23T16:14:00.005+11:00

Answering the call for surviving rare International 190 cabovers was Cam McFadyen of South East Queensland Tilt Trays with these photos from a couple of years ago of a reasonably complete survivor. Cam sais she was parked out the front of Price's Truck Spares in Dalby so it's quite likely she was sold in one piece. Has anyone stumbled across her in their travels? Does anyone recognise her colours?

You don't see many of these around

2009-02-22T15:30:00.003+11:00

From Barry Kitto, Western Australian collector, restorer and owner of one of these uncommon Internationals, comes this interesting picture which I'm assuming is the front page of a sales brochure. Besides Barry's former US Navy example, Murray Langford in Mt Gambier has the mortal remains of another truck and there is a rather nice example hacking around in New Zealand belonging to a well-known collector. Are there any more downunder?

Heritage Truck Show, Beenleigh, Qld - May 16-17, 2008

2009-02-22T14:49:00.001+11:00