Trucks From The Past.

[Ausfree]

Hey Ian, (V8Ian) do you remember any of these trucks, or more to the point have you driven any of them.:D

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZBtvQFLrio

[V8Ian]

How old do you think I am Jim? :o;)
I've driven various W and K series Kenworths, but all post Seattle cabs. Most of those trucks were never available here, we were stuck with old Pommie rubbish.
The half cab Kenny was interesting.

[V8Ian]

Some of the photos here may bring back memories.

https://www.google.com.au/search?q=british+trucks+1950+1960&espv=2&es_sm=122&biw=1366&bih=635&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=EVJgVZarHND88QXJg4LAAQ&ved=0CCcQ7Ak

[JDNSW]

Talking of "old pommie rubbish", one interesting one I saw a lot of in the mid sixties in central Australia was Mac Clark's Leyland Super Hippo 6x6. Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of it. Anyone seen pictures of it (or any others of that model - I think there were only about half a dozen made).

Delivered fuel to us out in the desert, fifty drums of fuel each on the truck and on a dog trailer, both running on Michelin Sahara sand tyre singles, 1200x20 from memory, but might have been bigger.

John

[p38arover]

Talking of "old pommie rubbish", one interesting one I saw a lot of in the mid sixties in central Australia was Mac Clark's Leyland Super Hippo 6x6. Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of it. Anyone seen pictures of it (or any others of that model - I think there were only about half a dozen made).

This one?

http://www.commercialmotor.com/big-lorry-blog/awesome-aussie-outback-old-tim

http://www.thedieselgypsy.com/Leyland%20Hippo.htm

[bob10]

One of these delivered our tucker when we were living out Ilfracombe way, Bob


CMP Blitz (http://www.geelongmrg.com/html/ve_CMP%20Blitz.htm)

[Mick_Marsh]

Talking of "old pommie rubbish", one interesting one I saw a lot of in the mid sixties in central Australia was Mac Clark's Leyland Super Hippo 6x6. Unfortunately, I don't have any pictures of it. Anyone seen pictures of it (or any others of that model - I think there were only about half a dozen made).

Delivered fuel to us out in the desert, fifty drums of fuel each on the truck and on a dog trailer, both running on Michelin Sahara sand tyre singles, 1200x20 from memory, but might have been bigger.

John
From the HCVC forum.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/05/307.jpg

HCVC Vintage Truck Forum - Leyland Super Hippos (http://www.hcvc.com.au/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1334331556/all)

[JDNSW]

This one?

Commercialmotor.com - Awesome Aussie outback old-timers on Biglorryblog...so where are they now wonders Jonathan P? (http://www.commercialmotor.com/big-lorry-blog/awesome-aussie-outback-old-tim)



Yes, that's the very truck, owned by Andado (Mac Clark). The history given is a bit different to the one I heard - my memory says it was one of a few factory 6x6s, not converted in Australia, and this particular one was imported to Australia by Shell Oil Co., and sold by them to Andado.

John

[p38arover]

From the HCVC forum.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/05/307.jpg

:confused: They look like Macks.

[p38arover]

How old do you think I am Jim? :o;)
I've driven various W and K series Kenworths, but all post Seattle cabs. Most of those trucks were never available here, we were stuck with old Pommie rubbish.
The half cab Kenny was interesting.

I've now had a chance to look at the video. I'd say that apart from the Kenworths (and maybe a Mack), none of those trucks would have been seen here.

The Yanks sure could design ugly trucks - I guess it matched their skill in designing cars.

[Mick_Marsh]

:confused: They look like Macks.
Whoops! Wrong pic. They are the Macks that replaced the Hippos.

Here, try this one.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/05/306.jpg

[V8Ian]

Yes, that's the very truck, owned by Andado (Mac Clark). The history given is a bit different to the one I heard - my memory says it was one of a few factory 6x6s, not converted in Australia, and this particular one was imported to Australia by Shell Oil Co., and sold by them to Andado.

John
As an apprentice I worked on Shell trucks, one was a Hippo, on semi-retirement duties. It was a 6x4, I would hazard an educated guess and suggest the 6x6 conversion was done post factory and more than likely after Shell disposed it.

[JDNSW]

As an apprentice I worked on Shell trucks, one was a Hippo, on semi-retirement duties. It was a 6x4, I would hazard an educated guess and suggest the 6x6 conversion was done post factory and more than likely after Shell disposed it.

I should point out, that if the history I am aware of is correct, the truck was not used in the Shell downstream business, which I presume is what you worked on, but was imported by Shell Development Australia specifically for operations in exploration work in the WA deserts. Unless you worked in remote areas of Australia it is unlikely you would have known of it. SDA had no day to day involvement with the downstream part of the company.

John

[Ausfree]

How old do you think I am Jim? :o;)
I've driven various W and K series Kenworths, but all post Seattle cabs. Most of those trucks were never available here, we were stuck with old Pommie rubbish.
The half cab Kenny was interesting.
Heh, heh!!:p

Actually, I thought some of those trucks were just plug ugly. I got my Class 3 licence on a Bedford with Eaton diff and my class 5 on what was then called a Dodge Fuso with split shift gear change. This was all in the mid to late 70's. Despite suffering ridicule that the Fuso was not a "real" truck the Fuso prime movers where very easy to drive, the gear shift was slick with a little lever at the top of the gear lever, to make half gear changes. As we know Mitsubishi Fuso's are now everywhere.
Nowadays, being lazy I drive a Volvo B7R bus with auto gear change.
Commers were common when I started driving heavy vehicles (gutless things) and I offsided in them but never drove one.:)

[Bearman]

Interesting to note those old B models Macks all had the exact same bullbar as the one I used to drive. Must have been factory supplied - too much of a coincidence for them all to be the same.

[korg20000bc]

Have a look here, if you haven't already:
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/general-chat/120366-photos-found-hard-drive-old-logging-operation-trucks-pic-heavy.html

[Chops]

Not being a "Big Rig" driver, I'm quite fond of the smaller trucks that have been around in the past.
I have had the pleasure, (probably considered a "pain" to a lot of people) of driving quite a few old Bedfords through the years, and as such, love going and seeing the shows etc which show off these old rigs.
But every now and then, a cool as project comes along. Too bad I have no cash to splash.

1947 Diamond T Trucks in Queensland - constructionsales.com.au (http://www.constructionsales.com.au/buy/private/SSE-AD-3322722/1947-Diamond-T?cr=4&category=Trucks&psq=%28%28%28%28Category%3DTrucks%26SubCategory%3D Vintage%29%26%28%28%28SiloType%3DDealer%20Used%7CS iloType%3DDealer%20New%29%7CSiloType%3DPrivate%20U sed%29%7CSiloType%3DDealer%20Near%20New%29%29%26Sa leStatus%3D%5BFor%20Sale%5D%29%26Service%3D%5BCons tructionsales%5D%29&pso=0&pss=Premium)

[Bearman]

Those two would be a nice project. Even consecutive serial numbers.

[Sitec]

Thinkin this thread will b 'moved' soon into the truck section.. :D

We were out on an AULRO group trip the other day, and I found out all about the Post Truck that used to follow the Old Gahn.. Another old Leyland that now resides in Birdwood Motor Museum. Fantastic machine! Here's Tom Kruse and his Leyland Badger.. :)

[Ausfree]

Actually going down memory lane, here is a picture of a Dodge Fuso of the 1970's similiar to the one I used to drive. Strictly speaking, it was not a Dodge but a Mitsubishi rebadged as a Dodge!!:)

ATDB • View topic - Westrail Dodge Fuso + Bosich Semi. (http://www.busaustralia.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=71818)

[V8Ian]

Jim, those things had a shocking reputation, so bad that Mitsubishi dropped the Fuso name for forty odd years.

[Ausfree]

The company I worked for had several of them as prime movers and several Fuso rigids. The rigids where a piece of crap but I can't remember our company having any problems with the prime movers, from memory we had six. As I said in an earlier post they were an easy truck to drive!!!:)

p.s. I do remember one problem, the exhaust stacks cracked and had to be redesigned.

[Don 130]

Another picture (https://www.flickr.com/photos/21437618@N02/3468209641/in/album-72157621883212642/) of that Super Hippo.
Don.

[Hogarthde]

A coincidence! looking at some truck magazines that reside in the caravan, and an article on NAPCO Leyland Super Hippos . Getting my dose of old trucks this week, thanks IAN and company
dave

[Don 130]

There are quite a few interesting Australian trucks in this album (https://www.flickr.com/photos/21437618@N02/sets/72157621883212642), including both the already posted pics of the 6x6 Super Hippo and some other Super Hippos as well.
Don.

[Stuck]

Ausfree, Do you remember seeing that old yellow 6x6 Kenworth (with no sides on the bonnet) that got around the Cardiff, Glendale and Edgeworth area lugging bushrock in the early 90's ?.

[Chops]

Top album Don, there's some great old truck in that. I wonder where they all are now?

Both those links are for the same pics too.

[p38arover]

Commers were common when I started driving heavy vehicles (gutless things) and I offsided in them but never drove one.:)

Ahh, but the sound of the engine....

But getting caught behind one going up Razorback..... :(

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrAoj5Cuu68

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2015/05/258.jpg

Here's a view of one working:

https://youtu.be/G-OqYFB4ofY

[JDNSW]

In the early fifties, a cousin of mine (who died a couple of years ago) drove a Hippo (not Super Hippo) prime mover, mainly on the Sydney-Walgett route. After a couple years the police (no transport inspectors then) realised that his boss had found that with the normal load of drummed petrol*, the spaces left between the drums were ideal for carrying oxygen cylinders................

The fine put the company out of business, and my cousin had to find other work.

John

*At that time bulk tankers did not deliver outside of cities, and users such as stations and farms generally got their fuel in drums, although this was starting to change.

[rick130]

I believe this is a must see venue in Alice Springs.
My step father, an ex-diesel mechanic and coach driver has done volunteer work here and they have a good collection of old trucks.

Home (http://www.roadtransporthall.com/)

[V8Ian]

You're absolutely right Rick, allow a whole day if you're genuinely interested.
Jim, the issue with the Fuso was the V8 engine, it was gutless, loved a drink, short-lived and expensive to rebuild. The sixes were a different story but not up to the task of long distance - full weight prime mover.

[Ausfree]

Ausfree, Do you remember seeing that old yellow 6x6 Kenworth (with no sides on the bonnet) that got around the Cardiff, Glendale and Edgeworth area lugging bushrock in the early 90's ?.

G,Day mate, I have lived in the area for fourty years and I can't say that I remember it. Guess you don't have any photo's, do you??

[Ausfree]

You're absolutely right Rick, allow a whole day if you're genuinely interested.
Jim, the issue with the Fuso was the V8 engine, it was gutless, loved a drink, short-lived and expensive to rebuild. The sixes were a different story but not up to the task of long distance - full weight prime mover.

I have been racking my memory, Ian, after all it was a long time ago, the company I worked for bought the Fuso's brand new to replace an older fleet of Commers and Bedfords. The Fuso I drove for three years never missed a beat but I do remember one having problems with the engine and repaired under warranty. Fuso lent us another one to replace it.

I guess part of the reason is they were seemed trouble free is they were only used for short haul and did not carry a load bigger than about 25 tons. In other words we were doing live haul carrying chooks from the farm to the factory for slaughtering. The furtherest we went was Newcastle to Sydney and that was only occasionally. Most of the broiler farms were close in, so the trucks were never tested with heavy loads and long hauls.

I left in 1979 to spend 20 years involved with various phases of photography, which is another story.:) What happened after that, I don't know but I am aware of the slurs "that's not a real truck" and the bad reputation they had but having said that I have fond memories of old FQR 177:)

Things have changed in the chicken industry since 1979. The company ( Inghams) don't have their own fleet anymore the subby out to a truck firm called Joe Sepos ( have you heard of them up your way) they use Mack trucks ( a REAL truck) and the trucks are loaded at the farm by fork lift. We used to manually catch the chooks and load the truck, bloody hard work running up and down a ramp for two or three hours, let me tell you, I use to come home stinking of chook **** and rip my clothes off in the laundry out the back and run inside for a shower. Wifey wouldn't let me near her until I freshened up.

We used to run ten row table tops and 15 row trailors, now they are running 15 row trailors and B-doubles with ten rows on the front trailor and 15 on the back. The factory (in my day) used to only run a day shift, now it is going 24/7.

p.s. Better explain what I mean by "rows". This refers to crates that the chooks are put into on a truck so in a 15 row trailor the crates are stacked 8 high and 4 wide by 15 rows long. = 480 crates on the trailor. So if you catch 8 chooks per crate the trailor is bringing back to the factory 3840 chooks!!!!!!

pps. Hope my maths are right!! I used to do this for a living.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Thinkin this thread will b 'moved' soon into the truck section.. :D

We were out on an AULRO group trip the other day, and I found out all about the Post Truck that used to follow the Old Gahn.. Another old Leyland that now resides in Birdwood Motor Museum. Fantastic machine! Here's Tom Kruse and his Leyland Badger.. :)Actually Tom Kruse was the Birdsville Track mail run from Maree in South Oz to Birdsville in Western Qld. The Birdsville Track departes from the route of the old Ghan at Maree, so Tom only touched on the Ghan at one end of his trip.

In relation to the old Leyland Badger, that vehicle is quite modified from the original truck to the extent that it wouldn't be eligible for rego under SA historic registration. It is probably in better condition today than it ever was when Tom did his mail run. :D