Evening all, interesting subject this "high roof concept is it not?
Without doubt the first real “living cabs” were from France in the late 20s early 30s…some quite exotic, on their brutish 6 wheelers. Perhaps the first real high roof tractor cab was the USAs Freightliner, (Consolidated Freightlines) 4x4 of the early 40s.
TipTops right, the Germans refined the High Roof concept in the 50s and 60s, with some wonderful examples. The Berliet “Relax” steel cab of the 60s incorporated a raised sleeping portion, copied a decade later by Magirus Deutz.
The Saviem "Europe " cab, was fitted with “kitchen packs” back in the late 60s, at least 7 years before the “Trans Orient”. But as per ZBs picture the Berliet TR320 as the Saviem had a "kitchen " option in the early 70s
Then came the rush…mid 70s. In Europe Berliet with Le Centaure, Volvo with the Globetrotter, MAN with her exotic X90 project, and at the end of the decade Mercedes , with (arguably), one of the most user friendly high roof cabs on their big horsepower SKs. In the USA 76 saw the Kenworth Aerodyne concept, and Mack with the slightly more ugly version…then White not to be outdone added roof windows to the “Road Commode”, and GM followed with their version, but none could outdo Double Eagle with their “Moma and Poppa” Aerodyne cab.
Just a couple of personal asides, the original Le Centaure lorries were far better finished, in terms of “fit and finish”, than the “factory” Globetrotter. (Based on having worked with the Le Centaure concept for a number of years, and having owned, and operated 10 F10, and 4 F12 Globetrotters). Had the “powers that be”, adopted proposals put forward to make the Le Centaur concept, the default option on all TR356, and 305 Tractors, then perhaps Volvos version would not have become the volume seller that it did. But they did not, and when they finally realised, and the Turbo Liner was born, it was too late for the market had been stolen!
It was not the best finished, or really the best use of internal space, and ride and comfort are well below her European rivals, but dear old Paccars Kenworth Aerodyne really has them all beat for sheer presence on the road, and as an “Ego trip”, simply has no rivals in my experience .
But of course, now Im an old man…
Better get back to the Bollinger…
Cheerio for now
ps
Perhaps one day, I will write about how that Steve Sturgess write up for Pat came about… it may make you smile…and the arguing to get the brothers to agree to him driving her!!!
? We had two in the fleet and apart from the engine, the rest of it was absolut sh***, according to the drivers, I myself have never set a foot in a Iveco…
Sorry Robert. Looks like I’ve enticed a few “off topic” comments…
