I, too, am intrigued by the two Leylands as they are on E-suffix plates dating them from '66/'67. But they’ve got cabs from two generations of cab previous to that date. That cab was gradually replaced by the LAD cab around 1958 and by 1964 you could have an Ergo cab! So why such retro cabs I wonder.
As there is some interest a bit more about Walter Wolfenden who set up in 1953 doing recovery work and crane hire, here are some more pictures, Buzzer
ERF-NGC-European:
I, too, am intrigued by the two Leylands as they are on E-suffix plates dating them from '66/'67. But they’ve got cabs from two generations of cab previous to that date. That cab was gradually replaced by the LAD cab around 1958 and by 1964 you could have an Ergo cab! So why such retro cabs I wonder.
Ex Military registered and given modern, not age related, reg number?
Dipster:
ERF-NGC-European:
I, too, am intrigued by the two Leylands as they are on E-suffix plates dating them from '66/'67. But they’ve got cabs from two generations of cab previous to that date. That cab was gradually replaced by the LAD cab around 1958 and by 1964 you could have an Ergo cab! So why such retro cabs I wonder.Ex Military registered and given modern, not age related, reg number?
Well the military did use Leyland Hippos but I don’t remember seeing them with that cab. By the '70s they would have been issued with Q-plates but I can’t remember when Q-plates were introduced.
Hiya,
Woolfenden’s wrecker looks a bit light on the handlebars he must have a straight run ahead.
ERF-NGC-European:
Dipster:
ERF-NGC-European:
I, too, am intrigued by the two Leylands as they are on E-suffix plates dating them from '66/'67. But they’ve got cabs from two generations of cab previous to that date. That cab was gradually replaced by the LAD cab around 1958 and by 1964 you could have an Ergo cab! So why such retro cabs I wonder.Ex Military registered and given modern, not age related, reg number?
Well the military did use Leyland Hippos but I don’t remember seeing them with that cab. By the '70s they would have been issued with Q-plates but I can’t remember when Q-plates were introduced.
I don’t know how it happened but a few years ago I was visiting one of my customers down in the west country and he had a couple of ex MOD coaches on 03 plates. They were first supplied in 1993 but for some reason were given relatively modern plates when they were sold by the MOD. It could be because they were brought back from overseas but I still found that strange. He wasn’t bothered as it let him use them on schools work as they to all intents and purposes were less than 15 years old which was a condition of the contract with the council at that time.
Buzzer:
Some more, Buzzer
Silver Roadways, my first trip long distance on general haulage with Shaw’s of Stapleford. Tipped concrete pipes from Stanton, south of Cambridge, and they reloaded me from N. London 2 drops Bath and Bristol. Machine loaded large cases not 'orrible 'andball like that picture though. 
My first job, first backload, first experience of tramping ie not loading back for home. That was on the Monday and I didn’t get home again till Saturday after seeing more of the country than I ever had before. This is the life, I thought, and I was right. 
Many years later with the my small partnership with my brother when we started off with aTranny and trailer, they still found well paying loads for such a vehicle. And continued as we grew.
When did they finish?
Buzzer:
Buzzer
The top one, not a bad looking cab, FIAT perhaps? Bumper markings, trilex wheels, front opening door. Even better in sleeper version.
Spardo:
Buzzer:
BuzzerThe top one, not a bad looking cab, FIAT perhaps? Bumper markings, trilex wheels, front opening door. Even better in sleeper version.
I think it’s a Lancia, Spardo. IIRC that was a '60s model. The trailer, however, looks to be a later '70s 12 metre job, complete with a steering third axle. It’s not easy to see in the photo, but the rear axle looks to be another trilex in the same colours as the ones on the unit. All of which makes me wonder if this is not a preservation vehicle that has been assembled for its looks. On the other hand, there were plenty of late '60s units running around with '70s trailers in the day!
ERF-NGC-European:
Spardo:
Buzzer:
BuzzerThe top one, not a bad looking cab, FIAT perhaps? Bumper markings, trilex wheels, front opening door. Even better in sleeper version.
I think it’s a Lancia, Spardo. IIRC that was a '60s model. The trailer, however, looks to be a later '70s 12 metre job, complete with a steering third axle. It’s not easy to see in the photo, but the rear axle looks to be another trilex in the same colours as the ones on the unit. All of which makes me wonder if this is not a preservation vehicle that has been assembled for its looks. On the other hand, there were plenty of late '60s units running around with '70s trailers in the day!
Thank you, yes of course, that shaped grill does look a little familiar. Not sure I like the front opening doors though, imagine losing your brakes and trying to bale out, only to be whacked on the back of the head by that door, unless you were lucky enough for the slipstream to yank it off its hinges. 
Spardo:
Thank you, yes of course, that shaped grill does look a little familiar. Not sure I like the front opening doors though, imagine losing your brakes and trying to bale out, only to be whacked on the back of the head by that door, unless you were lucky enough for the slipstream to yank it off its hinges.
And as the door hits you, a handle hooks your hi-viz 
ezydriver:
Spardo:
Thank you, yes of course, that shaped grill does look a little familiar. Not sure I like the front opening doors though, imagine losing your brakes and trying to bale out, only to be whacked on the back of the head by that door, unless you were lucky enough for the slipstream to yank it off its hinges.And as the door hits you, a handle hooks your hi-viz
… with the boss’s voice still yelling down the cab phone; and as the door window bangs the driver’s head, he can be heard to utter, ‘Hit me again, I can still hear him!’.
What is the reasoning behind Trilex wheels, I remember seeing them in my Observers book as a kid on continental lorries.
essexpete:
What is the reasoning behind Trilex wheels, I remember seeing them in my Observers book as a kid on continental lorries.
I don’t know, but they would certainly make handling easier by separating the weight, I think. 
essexpete:
What is the reasoning behind Trilex wheels, I remember seeing them in my Observers book as a kid on continental lorries.
Bumped up a thread on this, which you may find answers your question 
And here’s the link to it, for future reference:
trucknetuk.com/phpBB/viewto … lit=Trilex
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