Evening all, dont know why, but over the last few months I have become all "misty eyed" over the familys Fodens that I drove back in the 60s. S20, 4LK 4wheeler, (France &UK), S21, 4x2 tractor, 12sp, 150LX Gardner, (UK, France & Italy), No hill was too steep, no journey too long, though by the time the family progressed to S36, and S39 cabs, sitting over two strokes, and 180 Gardners, I was selling Atkinsons with 220 ■■■■■■■■ and Fuller single stick boxes, and I really did not want to drive the, (as they had become), slow, outdated Fodens. In their day they were superb, but they did not move, or anticipate the changing times. By 1980, post the Engineers strike, (oh Britains disease), Fuller became the standard gearbox, (and 400 men became unemployed), but Engineering excellence shone through. The S10, in sleeper form could couple legally to a 40ft trailer, inside the 15metre overall limit, and weighed a commendable 6 to 6.5 tonnes, depending on engine specified. Few products could match the specification, but the Dealer network was, with a few notable exceptions, tired, and unable to respond to the changing market place. By then our family business had ceased to operate vehicles, (the "reward" having departed from Hire and reward, never to return)! and I was working in France, and had little interest in the UK market place. Today, well I remember how easy it was to out pace those "fuming" Fiat, and Lancia "milipede" drawbars, and roll along those tree lined Route Nationals in company with the most beautiful lorry ever built, Frances magnificent Bernard, proud to be piloting Sandbach`s finest product, Foden. Cheerio for now.
