Came back to the yard for a trailer swap, saw this getting washed down. Its the boss’s 1968, ex tow truck with a flat bed instead. 2 speed rear axle.
He also has a 1944 Bedford as well.
Very very nice, now just needs to sort the chassis 7 the drivers window…
yeah, very nice,new vehicles are nice but the classics have a style that cannot be beaten
Oooh…an Ergomatic cab!
Registered new in February 1969 this Leyland AEC Mercury has had quite a few owners over the years.
I’d like to have a go in one, just to see what all you ‘old skools’ are on about…?
And also to say ‘been there - done that’ too…
It is just a nostalgia thing mate…cutting edge in its time but would shake you to bits now! Back then, these old motors were the best you could get. In fifty years time, and if this forum is still going, people will be posting images of an ‘old skool’ R730 or FH750’s and going on abour how their old fossil fuel trucks were better than these new fancy nuclear powered, self driving, internet controlled Transport truck drones of today !
I enjoy pottering about on the water with my Forty Plus Seagull. But that’s for fun. Driving one of them contraptions for a living, was not, and would not, be fun…
Seagull outboard motors, NOW that’s old skool. I remember going out picking up crab pots with my mates brother who lost his temper when he couldn’t start it and threw it over the side. Laugh, we didn’t we had to row back 
Happy days 
Radar19:
Came back to the yard for a trailer swap, saw this getting washed down. Its the boss’s 1968, ex tow truck with a flat bed instead. 2 speed rear axle.
He also has a 1944 Bedford as well.
Interesting study. Look closely at the specimen - you can still see your boss’ fear ■■■■ dribbling down the seat from trying to use the brakes.
Is your boss single…she says optimistically…
Gorgeous, gorgeous. Grew up in an Albion Clydesdale more or less, that’s very similar. I’d forgotten how Spartan they looked, haven’t forgotten being shaken to bits though.
albion:
Is your boss single…she says optimistically…Gorgeous, gorgeous. Grew up in an Albion Clydesdale more or less, that’s very similar. I’d forgotten how Spartan they looked, haven’t forgotten being shaken to bits though.
And I bet it didn’t stop shaking Albion, unlike the spin cycle of the washing machine… [emoji14]
The handbreak lever brought back some painful memories. Any number of blood blisters after pinching flesh releasing the 'kin thing. 
I started driving an Albion with a multi pull ratchet handbrake, the first time i used it i had the foot brake on hard then ratched it up as hard as i could. When it came to taking it off however i couldn’t pull the handbrake back any more to relieve the pressure even with the foot valve pressed down. I got both hands on the handbrake and squeezed the trigger with all my might and it released with a bang and a rattling of rods, learn by doing in them days.
Goldfinger:
I’d like to have a go in one, just to see what all you ‘old skools’ are on about…?
…
No you wouldn’t I had the misfortune of driving it’s more ‘‘modern’’ version, a Leland Buffallo… for a month one DAY
Worst ■■■■ thing I have ever driven. An Atkinson Borderer (google it) was even an improvement imo.
Give it another ten years an you will be wetting yer knickers over todays rubbish … 
I ain’t being a smart arse here but I always thought the old ergo cab was a lovely motor. I don’t remember being shaken around or having dodgy brakes whether it was a Leyland or the trusty old Mandator. The only thing that did make me clench me bum was wet roads with nowt on the trailer. I’ve kipped on the engine cover with that handbrake to remind you not to roll over too far 
I didn’t mind the Scania at the end of my illustrious career but it wasn’t as comfy as the ergo.
peterm:
I ain’t being a smart arse here but I always thought the old ergo cab was a lovely motor. I don’t remember being shaken around or having dodgy brakes whether it was a Leyland or the trusty old Mandator. The only thing that did make me clench me bum was wet roads with nowt on the trailer. I’ve kipped on the engine cover with that handbrake to remind you not to roll over too far
Just to show how subjective all this is, I once had the opportunity to drive an immaculate 1967 Ergo Beaver that had covered only about 10,000 miles from new, and it was so much more comfortable jumping back into my Mk.1 Atkinson (never mind Borderers!) afterwards!!
And yes, “Robroy”, I too had the dubious privilege of a couple of short trips out in L12-engined Buffaloes - what utterly awful machines!! Not to mention the day when 16 out of 20 were VOR, either under repair or awaiting parts.
Radar19:
Came back to the yard for a trailer swap, saw this getting washed down. Its the boss’s 1968, ex tow truck with a flat bed instead. 2 speed rear axle.
He also has a 1944 Bedford as well.
Woweee Deluxe model with an engine cover 