ERF-Continental:
I promissed to scan some covers of brochures, all with new “A-series”-cab, hence 1973-1976
There wasn’t an A-series cab. The A-series was a chassis, not a cab. The A-series chassis had a 7LV cab (or an alternative 5MW cab if required). To confuse matters, some of the older pre A-series tractive units received later 7LV cabs making them look like A-series ERFs, which they weren’t. Hope that helps.
The TRUCKING INTERNATIONAL article also says:
Apart from the 4x2 tractor units there was only one other A-series variant - the long wheelbase 4x2 for drawbar use. Announced in November 1971, it was a stretched version of the tractor unit.
I’ll try and scan the article and post it on here. In the meantime, I hope the above helps. Robert
Thank you for again explaining it is all about the chassis…apparently ERF was about to set up non-internet business
by ‘thick the box’ for the chassis, engine, gearbox, axles, cab etc, actually transferring their assembly-approach to
the customer, who was at risk having a quite mixed fleet when it comes to cabs, mind you had quite some cabs in
the mid-seventies to chose…not a continental-approach though
I can’t read the article, as the print is too small on this screen, but that ERF in the picture on the 3rd page looks very much like the 1st A series (prototype) that had the Gardner 8LXB 240 and was exibited at the 1921 commercial motor show - i have a pic somewhere - my dad took me to see it
6 Legs - probably hot summer of 1976 (could be '75) having a shower. Upgraded to a Gardner 180 to do drawbar work (left of pic)
The ERF to right of shot was a B reg and was up on railway sleepers - as an 11 and 12 year old I used to sit and “drive” her - the steering wheel went on full lock, both ways - bit mouldy, few spiders but I did hundreds of miles in there
The colour shot is of her being towed off to the cutter’s torch in 1977 - SMA 13H is on the wash - I don’t recall who the blue & red ERF belonged to - someone local I think
I can’t read the article, as the print is too small on this screen, but that ERF in the picture on the 3rd page looks very much like the 1st A series (prototype) that had the Gardner 8LXB 240 and was exibited at the 1921 commercial motor show - i have a pic somewhere - my dad took me to see it
You are right, but it was 1970. By the way, if you download my images you can read the text perfectly. Robert
I can’t read the article, as the print is too small on this screen, but that ERF in the picture on the 3rd page looks very much like the 1st A series (prototype) that had the Gardner 8LXB 240 and was exibited at the 1921 commercial motor show - i have a pic somewhere - my dad took me to see it
You are right, but it was 1970. By the way, if you download my images you can read the text perfectly. Robert
Hi Robert - just seen my typo - fat fingers in a small device
when i get home at the end of the week i’ll download the images - looking forward to reading the article
BTW - that unit is featured in the observers book of commercial vehicles
A quintet of B’s
Probably parked up at Seligweiler Rasthaus near Ulm whilst engaged in radar dish work for MATS.
One dish = 5 trucks all with oversized sprung frames to carry the sections. Too many bumps and the dish is useless.
The big red radar at Heathrow was one of the jobs, there were also others as far afield as the Outer Hebrides.
It looks like Little John on patrol.
Aircon pods on the roofs are from their middle east days. Most of the trucks would have done numerous trips across the sand.
It is also pre ‘EV’ plates so I’m guessing early 80’s
zzarbean:
A quintet of B’s
Probably parked up at Seligweiler Rasthaus near Ulm whilst engaged in radar dish work for MATS.
One dish = 5 trucks all with oversized sprung frames to carry the sections. Too many bumps and the dish is useless.
The big red radar at Heathrow was one of the jobs, there were also others as far afield as the Outer Hebrides.
It looks like Little John on patrol.
.
0
Aircon pods on the roofs are from their middle east days. Most of the trucks would have done numerous trips across the sand.
It is also pre ‘EV’ plates so I’m guessing early 80’s
robert1952:
The 2nd from the right is left-hand drive. Robert
That’s correct still with it’s original registration plate before it became TAF 365. The driver was Chris who had it for around 12 years and claimed to have taken it to every country in Europe as well at the Middle East and North Africa. Europe included Finland with a Helicopter and Moscow with Elvers (Young Glass Eels)
robert1952:
The 2nd from the right is left-hand drive. Robert
That’s correct still with it’s original registration plate before it became TAF 365. The driver was Chris who had it for around 12 years and claimed to have taken it to every country in Europe as well at the Middle East and North Africa. Europe included Finland with a Helicopter and Moscow with Elvers (Young Glass Eels)
Cheers Zzarbean (and thanks for input on LHD thread!). Any idea which North African country it ventured to? Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya… Egypt even? Robert
robert1952:
Cheers Zzarbean (and thanks for input on LHD thread!). Any idea which North African country it ventured to? Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya… Egypt even? Robert
I was not with the company during it’s North African heyday but I’m fairly certain it would have been to the first four, I don’t recall anyone mentioning Egypt. The main load out was Lister Engines.
Some excellent and accurate LV / A’ Series comparison information on the previous page guys, John is pretty much spot on, as expected, except that some LV’s had a chassis that protruded from the front panel to mount a heavy duty jaw, and these were not A’ Series chassis, which leads me on to Robert, you are close, but the Scott’s of Oldham unit with an 8LV cab and protruding chassis is definitely NOT an A’ Series, so your caption needs changing to reflect that.
All A’ Series chassis frames that were fitted with an LV cab had the 7LV structure with set back axle without exception.
The A’ Series drawbar rigids were a stretched tractor unit, but the design was not a success in this format (as I’m sure I have relayed before on here). Stress cracks began to appear in the 12 inch deep chassis rails where the cross members, which were the same items as specified for the 10 inch deep chassis railed 4x2 tractor unit, were bolted on. The A’ Series chassis required a full redesign before it was suitable for rigid vehicles, and that work was carried out by Jack Cooke and his team, and that vehicle became the B’ Series.
All A’ Series chassis equipped vehicles carry an 025 or 026 code in their model designation. Only 4 rigid A’ Series drawbar 4x2 vehicles seem to have been completed, and a handful of 6x4 tractor units, although the old chassis was found to be much superior in terms of strength for both these applications.
ERF themselves can carry some blame for the identification confusion. When the new chassis was launched in 1970 they stated in all the related press releases and articles that “…all ERF vehicles will be A’ Series chassis equipped by 1972” this proved not to be possible, and only the 4x2 tractor unit was actually in production from April 1972. This was an embarrassment to the marketing and sales people, so a minor effort was made to re-brand all 7LV and 8LV products as A’ Series from mid 1973, irrespective of whether they actually were or not. This proposal did not go down at all well with the dealer network who could foresee some very awkward questions being asked by operators who’s new rigid vehicle looked identical underneath to their old one!. Some 1973 issued handbooks and service manuals were actually printed to this effect, but in the event the effort was very soon halted and no sales literature or press releases were actually issued stating that anything other than the 7LV cabbed (or it’s MW equivalent) 4x2 tractor unit in production was actually an A’ Series.
Robert
- fat fingers in a small device 
