michel:
Leyland in Spain with T.M.U cab.
Hello All,
This being my first post, I hope I’m not branded as too much of a clever so-and-so newbe poster, but here goes:
The above is not strictly speaking a Leyland, it is a TMU creation using (obviously) some Leyland bits. TMU (Tomas Mintegui Urigen) was a small Basque specialist, a bit like RFW in Oz or AWD in the UK. They would basically produce what the customer wanted and are still in business as producers of dead axles etc. The lorry in the pic I believe has TMUs own axles, wheels and probably chassis which owes more to Mack than Leyland. The relationship between the wings / bonnet / bumper is not at all like the Buffalo’s; the wings are also different in shape - I’m fairly certain the w.b. is not like any EHB Bufallo. The air filter has been re-positioned too. No idea about the gearbox but I would not discount a Mack Duplex or Triplex as was fitted to many South American Beavers and some Leyland Ashdods in Israel (anything to get rid of the 6 sp Leyland or ZF horrors).
As for the cab it might have been made by Gozalbo in Villareal, Spain - it has some Scammell Highwayman cab elements but I’ve never seen that style on anything UK before. The bed was also made by Gozalbo and features a typically Spanish in-built sleeper (look closely and you will the sleeper’s window).
Here’s another one (this one with a Scammell-looking cab (from the operator, Transportes La Oñatiarra de Oñati’s home page, via the Camiones Classicos forum)) :
and what might be an earlier version with the standard Leyland Beaver cab (from MAI carnes of Badajoz site via the Camiones Classicos forum) :
Last but not least, here’s the same lorry as posted Michel in some show with TMU’s sign hanging proudly behind, as well as TMU’s badge on the radiator (also from Camiones Classicos):
In my opinion, one of the sharpest lorries I have ever seen. I don’t think any survive but who knows what hides in Spain still…
Best,
LA
