Since Dean has been badgering me to set up a View-Line thread, here it is!!
The Atkinson View-Line was first launched at the 1966 Commercial Motor Show at Earls Court - pre-dating the Renault Magnum by a quarter of a century!
When I can regain access to my archives, I’ll scan the article in the Atkinson house magazine from that time, but some of the thinking behind the design is explained as offering “freedom of front axle location for overseas territories”, ease of access for engine maintenance (referring to tilt cabs as something like, “one of those troublesome fads which plague the industry from time-to-time” 
), interior space and, of course, visibility. Not to mention the steering column, pedals and driver’s seat all being aligned!!
Although many people associate the View-Line with the RTITB, Pickford’s Heavy Haulage division was the largest buyer by far, largely 6x4 tractors plated for 45T gross, but there was also a batch of 4x2 ballast tractors, rated for 42T as an artic or 55T as a drawbar tractor, and a solitary 4x2 artic unit on the Westfields fleet.
In fact, it was listed as the standard cab for 6x4 heavy haulage tractors in 1968/9, but the newly-introduced Mk.2 cab could be had as an option with a cost reduction of £150
I owned one for 19 years, and still regret parting with it. It was very comfortable to drive and, despite apocryphal views, I had only one unbearably hot day in it.
Anyway, here are a few to kick off with…
One of the prototypes, ready for its show appearance:
GTB 616F Atkinson “View-Line” by Chris Gardner, on Flickr
A rather unfortunate advert in Comical Motor’s 1966 Commercial Motor Show edition:
Atkinson “View-Line” advert by Chris Gardner, on Flickr
The pair of View-Lines operated by the Ribble Valley training group in Penwortham - BVB 457H was new to Ribble Valley, whilst CJJ 408H came secondhand from North Manchester Group at Failsworth
Atkinson Viewlines by Chris Gardner, on Flickr
After being cannibalised for spares, the skeletal remains of CJJ were acquired as a source of cab spares for BVB:
Atkinson Viewlines by Chris Gardner, on Flickr
BVB 457H during restoration:
Atkinson Cabriolet! by Chris Gardner, on Flickr
BVB 457H post-restoration, and coupled to a trailer which helps mask its ungainliness!
BVB 457H Atkinson ‘Silver Knight’ T3046X by Chris Gardner, on Flickr
Early production version, still without the remote header tank on the back of the cab:
Atkinson Viewline by Gardner 8LXB, on Flickr
Atkinson Viewline by Chris Gardner, on Flickr
“A modern, forward-thinking, original design… parked next to a Renault Magnum, at least 25 years its junior”
Ethel & The Frog by Chris Gardner, on Flickr
Finally, a taste of the ‘View’ itself
Atkinson View-Line BVB 457H by Chris Gardner, on Flickr
