Muckaway:
Foden, post Paccar were just as bad; great trucks for the tipper market, but God they never really changed much cab-wise from 1980-2000. When I drive one of our 6 wheel 4000s on V or W regs, they aren’t really much different inside to the D reg that Dad had. Can’t remember who, but someone told me British manufacturers seemed to have an arrogance about them; “We’re British so they’ll buy British…”
Too true - my 1966 AEC Mammoth Major with Ergo cab was nigh on identical cab wise both inside and out to my mates 1976 AEC Mandator, yet our 1972 Volvo F88 has a night heater, splitter, air seat, radio (no point in the AEC, you couldn’t hear it anyway!!!).
Muckaway:
Foden, post Paccar were just as bad; great trucks for the tipper market, but God they never really changed much cab-wise from 1980-2000. When I drive one of our 6 wheel 4000s on V or W regs, they aren’t really much different inside to the D reg that Dad had. Can’t remember who, but someone told me British manufacturers seemed to have an arrogance about them; “We’re British so they’ll buy British…”
Too true - my 1966 AEC Mammoth Major with Ergo cab was nigh on identical cab wise both inside and out to my mates 1976 AEC Mandator, yet our 1972 Volvo F88 has a night heater, splitter, air seat, radio (no point in the AEC, you couldn’t hear it anyway!!!).
But they improved the Leyland version ,not much but they did update it
Muckaway:
Foden, post Paccar were just as bad; great trucks for the tipper market, but God they never really changed much cab-wise from 1980-2000. When I drive one of our 6 wheel 4000s on V or W regs, they aren’t really much different inside to the D reg that Dad had. Can’t remember who, but someone told me British manufacturers seemed to have an arrogance about them; “We’re British so they’ll buy British…”
Too true - my 1966 AEC Mammoth Major with Ergo cab was nigh on identical cab wise both inside and out to my mates 1976 AEC Mandator, yet our 1972 Volvo F88 has a night heater, splitter, air seat, radio (no point in the AEC, you couldn’t hear it anyway!!!).
But they improved the Leyland version ,not much but they did update it
The Ergo cab was a massive improvement on the LAD cab which for anyone over 5’8" tall was very cramped,just to drive,let alone sleep in.
Muckaway:
Foden, post Paccar were just as bad; great trucks for the tipper market, but God they never really changed much cab-wise from 1980-2000. When I drive one of our 6 wheel 4000s on V or W regs, they aren’t really much different inside to the D reg that Dad had. Can’t remember who, but someone told me British manufacturers seemed to have an arrogance about them; “We’re British so they’ll buy British…”
Too true - my 1966 AEC Mammoth Major with Ergo cab was nigh on identical cab wise both inside and out to my mates 1976 AEC Mandator, yet our 1972 Volvo F88 has a night heater, splitter, air seat, radio (no point in the AEC, you couldn’t hear it anyway!!!).
But they improved the Leyland version ,not much but they did update it
Yes but the “improvements” were just the addition of diarrhea brown plastic trim that rapidly went brittle and broke…
Muckaway:
Foden, post Paccar were just as bad; great trucks for the tipper market, but God they never really changed much cab-wise from 1980-2000. When I drive one of our 6 wheel 4000s on V or W regs, they aren’t really much different inside to the D reg that Dad had. Can’t remember who, but someone told me British manufacturers seemed to have an arrogance about them; “We’re British so they’ll buy British…”
Too true - my 1966 AEC Mammoth Major with Ergo cab was nigh on identical cab wise both inside and out to my mates 1976 AEC Mandator, yet our 1972 Volvo F88 has a night heater, splitter, air seat, radio (no point in the AEC, you couldn’t hear it anyway!!!).
But they improved the Leyland version ,not much but they did update it
Yes but the “improvements” were just the addition of diarrhea brown plastic trim that rapidly went brittle and broke…
Muckaway:
Foden, post Paccar were just as bad; great trucks for the tipper market, but God they never really changed much cab-wise from 1980-2000. When I drive one of our 6 wheel 4000s on V or W regs, they aren’t really much different inside to the D reg that Dad had. Can’t remember who, but someone told me British manufacturers seemed to have an arrogance about them; “We’re British so they’ll buy British…”
Too true - my 1966 AEC Mammoth Major with Ergo cab was nigh on identical cab wise both inside and out to my mates 1976 AEC Mandator, yet our 1972 Volvo F88 has a night heater, splitter, air seat, radio (no point in the AEC, you couldn’t hear it anyway!!!).
But they improved the Leyland version ,not much but they did update it
Yes but the “improvements” were just the addition of diarrhea brown plastic trim that rapidly went brittle and broke…
Muckaway:
Foden, post Paccar were just as bad; great trucks for the tipper market, but God they never really changed much cab-wise from 1980-2000. When I drive one of our 6 wheel 4000s on V or W regs, they aren’t really much different inside to the D reg that Dad had. Can’t remember who, but someone told me British manufacturers seemed to have an arrogance about them; “We’re British so they’ll buy British…”
Too true - my 1966 AEC Mammoth Major with Ergo cab was nigh on identical cab wise both inside and out to my mates 1976 AEC Mandator, yet our 1972 Volvo F88 has a night heater, splitter, air seat, radio (no point in the AEC, you couldn’t hear it anyway!!!).
But they improved the Leyland version ,not much but they did update it
Yes but the “improvements” were just the addition of diarrhea brown plastic trim that rapidly went brittle and broke…
Muckaway:
Foden, post Paccar were just as bad; great trucks for the tipper market, but God they never really changed much cab-wise from 1980-2000. When I drive one of our 6 wheel 4000s on V or W regs, they aren’t really much different inside to the D reg that Dad had. Can’t remember who, but someone told me British manufacturers seemed to have an arrogance about them; “We’re British so they’ll buy British…”
Too true - my 1966 AEC Mammoth Major with Ergo cab was nigh on identical cab wise both inside and out to my mates 1976 AEC Mandator, yet our 1972 Volvo F88 has a night heater, splitter, air seat, radio (no point in the AEC, you couldn’t hear it anyway!!!).
But they improved the Leyland version ,not much but they did update it
Yes but the “improvements” were just the addition of diarrhea brown plastic trim that rapidly went brittle and broke…
Now that does take me back a bit! I quite like the trim colour actually… (Tin hat firmly on).
My Dad’s only other experience with the Leyland 500 Series Range, beyond our excellent solitary Bison, were unfortunatley not so positive…
We used to have Tamplin tandem bulk tipping trailer that we used for grain, animal feed & cider apples. This work often coincided with when our other lorries were busy on lime spreading in the autumn so he used to hire in a tractor unit as & when necessary. Most often this was an ERF from Frank Tucker or Wincanton.
One particular year Dad decides to look at buying a unit & trying to find a bit more work to keep an artic going for the rest of the year. One of his contacts had a second hand Buffalo 2 for sale so he made an arrangement to hire it for a couple of weeks ‘on evaluation’ with a view to buying it, depending on how we got on. Anyway, part way though the first week the old girl did it’s head-gasket, so that was end of that little scheme!
Smiths Bisons had head gasket trouble, only real complaint as far as I know though one ripped it’s back axle off on the tip at Ardley quarry although it was only used as a dumper by then.
That would sound about right Dave, Dad reckoned the Leylands would hold their own against a Foden of the same era-he’s referring to the 220 ■■■■■■■ one he had (and Windrush a few years on )
Muckaway:
What’s the hp of that? Think Smiths were around the 200bhp mark…
This Bison has the TL11 - which was available in a variety of power ratings - no idea what a Bison would get?
About 228 bhp from memory,will ask Paul when I speak to him to verify it.
Cheers Dave.
thanks dave
has the snow all gone round yours now?
All gone round here –
Still got a few inches on the fields Steve,did manage to get my sprinter out today,my transit with snow tyres is in being refurbished.Main roads are fine,just a few side roads iffy this way,but should be melted in a couple of days.
Cheers Dave.
There`s a 1977 Octopus for sale in this months Classic Commercials magazine a few AECs a Super Comet 1968 and a GUY Big J with a 240 Gardner in it…sorry a 220 ■■■■■■■
Muckaway:
That would sound about right Dave, Dad reckoned the Leylands would hold their own against a Foden of the same era-he’s referring to the 220 ■■■■■■■ one he had (and Windrush a few years on )
They were as good as anything in their day Nathan,same with the Constructor,most of these hauliers around here ran them,with very little trouble that I recall.I would think a bit handier than the Foden for getting in tight places.Its a shame that both have gone.
Cheers Dave.
ramone:
There`s a 1977 Octopus for sale in this months Classic Commercials magazine a few AECs a Super Comet 1968 and a GUY Big J with a 240 Gardner in it…sorry a 220 ■■■■■■■
ramone,The day of the 8LXB engined Big J pic being published is getting closer .
Cheers Dave.
ramone:
There`s a 1977 Octopus for sale in this months Classic Commercials magazine a few AECs a Super Comet 1968 and a GUY Big J with a 240 Gardner in it…sorry a 220 ■■■■■■■
ramone,The day of the 8LXB engined Big J pic being published is getting closer .
Cheers Dave.
Im a nuetral Dave on this 1 just trying to inject a bit of humour,its a while since ive seen the interior of an ergo but the brown interior was all the rage when they brought that version out.Vovo,Scania and DAF to name a few…i think ERF were being optimistic with their blue version
.
