OK, some weirdness from Israel:
Created by a local operator on Royal Tiger chassis to allow getting under max height rules, there were a only a few like this (pics: D. Credo).
This is a Leyland Ashdod Super Hippo with local bodywork and Powerplus 680 (pic: Benny Haspel). Leyland Ashdod assembled more than 10,000 Leyland lorries and buses between 1962 and the late 80s.
On the left is a Leyland Clydsdale (yes) with locally produced GRP cab, based on the Brossel design. The Scania is one of the first to be imported to Israel and by the state of both I would say the pic was taken in the late 70s early 80s (via I. Nachman).
This is the Israel-only bonnetted Clydsdale, of which about 2000 were produced in the 60s. That and the “normal” Clydsdale (and the smaller Chieftein) had Leyland 400 engines and essentially not unlike the Comet and the Super Comet. Same source as above.
Ad for the final Ashdod Super Hippo part-assembled until 1973 and also available with the 690 unit and 250 bhp.
Wasn’t the Leyland Ergomatic Cab in its various guises over the years a seriously smart looking cab■■? even in this day and age its controls are all superbly positioned and the great all round visibility can hardly be bettered in this day & age
Absolutely, rivits, although under-rated these days, the ergo cab was hailed as a design breakthrough and examples of them were coveted by most drivers in the mid- to late- sixties. Like the Guy Big J, they may have seemed nothing too special at first but having driven them, the driver found that all the controls fell easily to hand, the driver’s seat had a range of adjustment not experienced in the LAD cabs and they were reasonably quiet and comfortable. Visibility was second to none and for once the cab steps were in a convenient position.
Unfortunately after a while in service, shortcomings in quality became obvious- cab sealing/draught proofing for example, not forgetting the inevitable tin worm (good old British steel!)
Does anyone remember the Dennis Delta that I always thought externally was a modernish copy of the ergomatic cab? It certainly looked to me like that is where the inspiration came from.
Retired Old ■■■■:
Absolutely, rivits, although under-rated these days, the ergo cab was hailed as a design breakthrough and examples of them were coveted by most drivers in the mid- to late- sixties. Like the Guy Big J, they may have seemed nothing too special at first but having driven them, the driver found that all the controls fell easily to hand, the driver’s seat had a range of adjustment not experienced in the LAD cabs and they were reasonably quiet and comfortable. Visibility was second to none and for once the cab steps were in a convenient position.
Unfortunately after a while in service, shortcomings in quality became obvious- cab sealing/draught proofing for example, not forgetting the inevitable tin worm (good old British steel!)
I daresay though every steel cab at that time suffered to same fate due to the tinworm setting in and eating the steel, in my opinion due to non existent rust proofing. You would probably find with todays modern production methods they would last forever. Where the LAD cab looked good the Ergomatic looked like it was light years in front of it. The picture I am attaching is of my Dads Leyland Bison he drove for BOC. It was a 1978 on a T’ plate fitted with the Non Turbo L12 engine, a 6sp Gearbox with Albion Hub Reduction rear axles. It could cruise at 65mph and my dad Wee Johnnie ( pictured at the back of the truck ) loved it!!!
Now how many of you older drivers can remember the drink called "Cherry B " ■■
In the 1960s , some of you took a lass out for the night hoping that a few of the magical drink`
consumed by the lass might lead to summat else later…
I dont know what the rabbit hutches` on the trailer are for , …but mebbe the drink is still
available in Malta , where this Leyland Cruiser was parked.
dew:
This was on the estate I work from a couple of weeks back - shame the old girls like this are slowly disappearing forever
Hi “Dew” ,
If you were to put a strong steel spring on the knuckle ,…it would make a good
slingshot for any stale bread rolls ! !
“Bewick” would want them to be aimed in the direction of the Isle of Man .
Dieseldog66:
I have put this one on the Ozzie thread too by kind permission of Arthur I’Anson
Good Day Diesel Dog I believe that old Super Hippo belonged to an old mate of mine who went by the name of Dennis Meeker who lived and worked out of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia, Dennis now regrettably passed away was a gentleman respected and liked by all who met him. He purchased the Hippo brand new in 1950something powered by a 600 and had the unusual combination of 3 gearboxes one main box and 2 joey boxes, Dennis told me in low low it took a blade of grass growing in the window of a track 5 mins to travel the length of the fuel tanks with the motor idling, the diffs were worm drive and had always run in I think Mobil oil and had never been touched from date of purchase to when we travelled together a couple of times in 1980.
He ran out of Kal for a number of years doing a store and general freight run to an Aboriginal Community called Warburton on the Great Central road some 2500 kms round trip which in those days was a goat track and not for the novice. His employer was TNT transport services who after many years of good service and the only one who would do the run for them decided when the track was improved to dispense of his services for an operator that was cheaper and supposedly quicker, I am pleased to say that proved a mistake and TNT lost the contract. Dennis was happy to puddle around carting mainly exploration equipment to isolated areas in the Deserts of West Aus and that was when I had the good fortune to meet and work with him.
A true gentleman of the road with a truck that was a credit it to him and the company Leyland that built it.
DD66 would you mind sending me the link to the Ozzie thread.
Cheers Dave
rivits:
Does anyone remember the Dennis Delta that I always thought externally was a modernish copy of the ergomatic cab? It certainly looked to me like that is where the inspiration came from.
Ive a soft spot for the Delta, always thought they looked good. I think the cab was designed by OGLE, same firm that designed the C40 and T45 cabs. If remember rightly Truck magazine gave the cab a good write up when tested against a Freighter 16.15.
Chris.
In their day those Ergo cabs were way ahead of anything else in this country. I drove a Leyland Comet with an Ergo cab, not the most powerful, but a nice comfortable lorry to drive.
Cheers Dave.
Dave the Renegade:
In their day those Ergo cabs were way ahead of anything else in this country. I drove a Leyland Comet with an Ergo cab, not the most powerful, but a nice comfortable lorry to drive.
Cheers Dave.
I remember my Dad telling me about this truck,it slid off a farm track in the snow loaded,Dad went up in car with transport manager to bring truck back to yard,anyway recovery firm turned up with scammell explorer put chain round 4th axle[dad advised round spring hanger but was told we know what we doing]started winching and the only thing moved was the 4th axle straight off centre bolts on spring!ta,Pete
Dave the Renegade:
In their day those Ergo cabs were way ahead of anything else in this country. I drove a Leyland Comet with an Ergo cab, not the most powerful, but a nice comfortable lorry to drive.
Cheers Dave.
I remember my Dad telling me about this truck,it slid off a farm track in the snow loaded,Dad went up in car with transport manager to bring truck back to yard,anyway recovery firm turned up with scammell explorer put chain round 4th axle[dad advised round spring hanger but was told we know what we doing]started winching and the only thing moved was the 4th axle straight off centre bolts on spring!ta,Pete
We always put the hook around the spring hanger Pete, as your Dad said. On tippers it was easy to get stuck on site. Have been pulled out and pulled others out, no damage.
Cheers Dave.
