robert1952:
210
Evening all,
Robert, this subject of aGuy Big Js could develop well as an interesting thread…
“Long Haul”…difficult to seperate the triple shifted versions doing consistent 100000 plus miles per year on UK trunking, from where I think that you are thinking, the handfull used on Moyen Orient type work. There were very many of this basic, simple, lorry that completed astronomic mileages inside the UK. I can remember delivering a paper on UK Hire and Reward Haulage to the French FNTR, Conference , (the French RHA equivelent), and being treated by utter disbelief that in the UK we could operate such intensive operations and keep drivers! The example that I used was J&A Smith of Maddiston, a company that I knew reasonably well from my time in the UK, and whose , (mainly), ■■■■■■■ powered Big Js travelled astronomic mileages…
The Big J in Smiths “International” livery was used along with its 11 sisters mainly to ferry trailers for onward Ro/Ro operation into the Benelux. Some did travel upon European roads without doubt.
The Jim Squib Big J was I think driven by TN UK member Fergie 47, and he must have interesting tales to tell. Certainly he became as famillier with the roads of Italy as I did, (and those interesting passes to get in and out)!.
The Comart Big Js did a fair few European miles, but then so did Clive Smith`s ERFs as well, but again much less in real mileage/kilometerage than many used in the UK "round the clock. Clive, and his father really knew how to take advantage of “new, and innovative” haulage opportunities.
Richards and Wallington Crane Hire were the Birmingham parent of RK Crisp, many of whose lorries sported the Longton Group`s "Night Rider " sleeper cab conversion.I have not seen one of the Longton brochures that you picture for many a long year! Yes they had some big power 335s, but also more mundane 220s. Italy was a regular destination for these Birmingham lorries.
Guy had always had a healthy export market, the Benelux of course, Invincibles, bonneted, as well as Trevor Dudleys iconic cab. But also the humble Vixen.....and Frances SNCF subsidiary, and largest smalls/parcels carrier, Calberson ran many Guys in the 1950s. New Zealand was a strong market, but the real effort went into South Africa, where a strong, (but sadly unprofitable), presence was held. In fact Sydney Guy was so concerned about rival Wolverhamptons lorry and Bus manufacturers Star Motor Company, influence in that market, that it was a key to the eventual purchase of that concern.
Trev H should be able to give real experience of the NFC Big Js used with US spec ■■■■■■■ 370 engines, as he used to drive one…and they sounded superb, but must have been noisy in the cab!
Knight and Riley, the Longton Stoke on Trent Group packaging subsidiary ran over 40 Big J s, (and at least 2 with 240 Gardners), on European operations, all except 5 with Night Rider sleeper cabs. But some of Longton Storage and Transport Big J 180 Gardner day cabs were scheduled to complete over 125000 miles per year.
I wonder what happened to Guys 8x4 ■■■■■■■ 44 to drawbar Earls Court exhibit......it looked fearfully heavy.........designed for intensive operation, as were all of Fallings Parks lorries, when Michael Edwards closed Guy Motors in 61, it, along with Land Rover were the only parts of Leyland to have full order books, and a forward order portfolio…
Yes Guy`s could do big distances…if they were allowed to!
Cheerio for now.
Robert
