I have to say, I find these rather endearing. They were displayed at the Amsterdam motor show in ’76 and were ordered by OHS and by various Greek companies.
OHS ran several of them to the Middle East (Kuwait and Baghdad among other destinations). It is a testament to them that a number of RHD 400s went down to the Middle East too with companies like Whittle, Bowker, Creedspeed and Atkins. The back-to-front and U-shaped Fuller RTO9095A didn’t take long to get used to if you had the same truck all the time. I used to drive a RHD one and you eventually fell into the pattern.
The driveline was fantastic, with a 13t rear axle connected to the 9sp Fuller and the big turbocharged ■■■■■■■ NTC 335.
It had a pleasing appearance with a handsome cab and a good ride-height. It’s a shame that none of my LHD pics show them with sun-visors. The addition of a visor and Kaysor to LHD 400s would make all the difference.
On the subject of Seddon-Atkinson 400s, I have found several references on these threads to the NTC 335-powered left-hand-drive ones operated by OHS on Middle-East work, having the standard 9-speed Fuller installed. There are also references to the Greek export version (same as the OHS ones, I believe) also having 9-speed Fullers.
I add below a bit of evidence here to jog some memories. FROM Commercial Motor 23rd Jan 1976. Seddon Atkinson to Amsterdam.
THE first three Seddon Atkinson 400 series tractive units built to Continental specification will be exhibited at the 1976 Amsterdam Motor Show (February 5-14). The truck was shown in prototype form at the last Amsterdam Show in 1974.
■■■■■■■ engines power all :three trucks. Two use the turbocharged NTC-335 which produces 233kW (313bhp) at 2,100rpm while the third has the naturally aspirated NHC. 250 with 170kW (228bhp) available. All three use identical drive-lines through Lipe-Rollway twin-plate clutches and Fuller RTO 9509A gearboxes to Seddon 13-tonne rear axles.
Two of the trucks have sleeper-cabs, each with two bunks, and other standard features include an alarm clock and an overnight case in its- own compartment.
Seddon Atkinson claims that the 3.5m (lift 6in) wheelbase gives excellent trailer matching even with the sleeper-cab models. Kerb weights including fifth wheel, 363 litres (80gal) of fuel, spare wheel; and carrier are 6.67 tonnes (6.56 tons) for the 335-engined unit with the short cab and 6.78 tonnes (6.67 tons) with the sleeper-cab.
The vehicles will be displayed on the stand of Ets Hocke SPRL which represents Seddon Atkinson throughout the Benelux countries.
OHS’s Seddon-Atkinsons were all LHD 400 ‘Internationals.’ There is a brochure called ‘Seddon-Atkinson 400 series International range’, but I’ve not seen one.
OHS’s units were ordered direct from the factory. There were several, delivered in pairs in threes over a long period.
On the OHS thread on Trucknet there are plenty of blogs about these.
Drivers spoke highly of them.
Robert
