roadtransport.com/Articles/2 … f-erf.html
Dom Perry
Motor Transport
Rumour mill was right again then…
It’s the right decision in my opinion.
ERFs were proper trucks in their time, built to last & would always get you home. There may not of been to many frills on what was always known as a “gaffers motor” but they did what they were built for and many proper ERFs are out there still earning.
The MANs which are now badged as ERFs are unreliable, cheap German rubbish that is not fit to carry the ERF name. We got 21 of the things in our depot, all three years old & every one is past it already. I kid you not, we have two in the workshop today because the drivers doors have fallen off! 
Still if the Eastern Europeans are happy to drive 'em, who’s to argue, but thats another debate. 
Think it was only a matter of time.
Personally have had little to do with them, but I know they have an almost cult-like following!!
Quite sad to see another British name finished.
If I was seriously considering the purchase of an ‘ERF type truck’ - (something cheaper than a Volvo or a Scania, in other words), I’d look very carefully at Hino, not a heap of badge-engineered MAN.
Our local MAN dealer is also selling Hinos and I was looking around an 8 wheel tipper a few weeks ago. The mechanical side of them look very rugged, and I think that all the other manufacturers will probably lose some sales to Hino
So there are no British lorries left then now, even in name only …or?
Do either Dennis or Seddon Atkinson badges still go on the front of any new dustcarts?
Funny isn’t it what we all like in a truck. I drove the smaller box type mans a good few years ago, not sure of the model number as i’m not big on stuff like that but they did have a badge on the side what said something like “Silent 4.1243” or such. And boy where they quiet and smooth, i thought they where great and they had a slap over box. Sometime later i drove some newish ERF’s for Malcolms. They where 6 legger day cabs, they had the same Man interior the same Man engine and a four over four box with a switch splitter. The gear knob was identical to an Eaton Twin Split, thats what i thought it was at first, but it turned out it wasn’t. I thought they where good trucks. Mind you i only drive them and didn’t have to pay for the running or maintanance, but they seemed fine.
The ERF was my introduction to the transport industry in the late 50s, the West Country drinks firm I worked for had quite a few ERFs, 80 or so if I remember. We would park in the ERF factory at Sandbach on nights out. How times change !!
I just about cut my teeth in an ERF.
14 litre ■■■■■■■ and Eaton twin split,inside an EC shell.Unfortunately,I totalled it in an accident,but still look back at the way it taught me to drive without rushing things.
Sadly the ERF factory at Sandbach is no more,and it is now a housing estate.What a surprise.
I wonder what Edward R Foden would say now if he saw it.
Ken.
I passed what i thought was the ERF place on Winsford Industrial estate the other day. Thats it isn’t it?
i’m with quinny , i cut me teeth on a E14 twin split.
you either played a tune on the gears,or took to it straight away.
Its already since Month publik.
Life’s a Gas:
It’s the right decision in my opinion.ERFs were proper trucks in their time, built to last & would always get you home. There may not of been to many frills on what was always known as a “gaffers motor” but they did what they were built for and many proper ERFs are out there still earning.
The MANs which are now badged as ERFs are unreliable, cheap German rubbish that is not fit to carry the ERF name. We got 21 of the things in our depot, all three years old & every one is past it already. I kid you not, we have two in the workshop today because the drivers doors have fallen off!
Still if the Eastern Europeans are happy to drive 'em, who’s to argue, but thats another debate.
Read Story from one of New Zealand.
Question: Why US Trucks?
Answer: Truck keeps working and don’t breaks down when you need them
Great bit of news, ERF, Pah Gaffers motor, the plastic pig of the truck world… 
Andyroo:
So there are no British lorries left then now, even in name only …or?quote]
in my eyes that is a good thing as they cant build a good truck (or car!)
euromat:
in my eyes that is a good thing as they cant build a good truck (or car!)
Not much beats a proper Landrover. I don’t think any other Marque has such a worldwide range and renown for reliability and ease of being fixed and obtaining parts. That was of course before the Germans got hold of it!
I’ve got one for sale , looks very much like this one …
its bottom half is missing…
the steering is so heavy, I have missed the bridge again…
Mike-C:
I passed what i thought was the ERF place on Winsford Industrial estate the other day. Thats it isn’t it?
The original main plant was in the centre of Sandbach, but they did have a place at Middlewich next to Thomas Hardie’s place. The ‘new’ plant at Midpoint replaced those. I believe it may be a Wincanton warehouse now.
As far as I could see MAN started killing of ERF as soon as they bought them - the ECS/ECX was a hasty rehash of bits even though ERF had plans for new cabs. Like much of British industry, it was bought for market share. The EC’s I drove were good solid trucks, a bit less fragile than some of the newer german stuff I’ve had since.
ERF R.I.P.
Andyroo:
So there are no British lorries left then now, even in name only …or?Do either Dennis or Seddon Atkinson badges still go on the front of any new dustcarts?
Like Foden, Seddon Atkinson was killed off by its parent the year before a significant anniversary: Foden in its 149th year, and SA a year before the 100th anniversary of Atkinson & Co.
Just Dennis left then!