Truckies, new truck design concept!

**Bigbjorn** · 7th March 2014, 04:23 PM

Does anyone remember the 9 car rig that operated out of Sydney in the 70's? Built on a Leyland underfloor bus chassis with a small monoposto cab ahead of the front axle and slung down low. There was a car on top of the cab and a car alongside. Mostly worked BMC stuff but occasionally we saw it pick up a few Holdens at Pagewood usually subbying for another carrier. I accompanied Jeff Lees, son of Fred who owned Never Fail Car Transport, over to Johnny Baker's yard at Zetland to inspect it as it would have suited their country operation nicely, doing the work of two smaller units. Try as he may, Jeff (6'3" and lean) could not fit in. Then I tried (6'1" and big). Absolutely no chance either. How it got accepted and registered is beyond me. Almost non-existent visibility to the left with a car loaded there. And that tiny cab must have been hellishly hot in a western summer.

**rangieman** · 7th March 2014, 05:10 PM

Originally Posted by d2dave

No way would I drive that. I like to drive real trucks.

I spose you dont eat quiche either

Thats right real men eat egg and bacon pie

**JDNSW** · 7th March 2014, 08:47 PM

Originally Posted by V8Ian

As you say John, centre steer (island cab/long tom) has been banned; but bonneted Kenworths, particularly older models, are almost such. Until the midis '80s SAR and W model Kenworths had a cab width to rival an Austin A30, one can still touch the passenger door from the drivers' seats of the latest conventional cabs.

The in cab video looks as if the driving experience would be sterile and remote, not a good situation in a heavy vehicle.

An early Australian narrow cabbed Kenworth.

Just as narrow cabs on most trucks into the 1950s, with some, as you say, keeping the style for years after that.

John

**Bigbjorn** · 7th March 2014, 10:30 PM

Originally Posted by JDNSW

Just as narrow cabs on most trucks into the 1950s, with some, as you say, keeping the style for years after that.

John

I have a photo of an International run by my Uncle Rowley Wall on the Winton-Longreach freight and mail that has no cab, no windscreen but four across seating. There is a passenger outboard of the driver. Dated 1923. Four across had vanished by the outbreak of WW2.

**JDNSW** · 8th March 2014, 06:25 AM

Originally Posted by Brian Hjelm

I have a photo of an International run by my Uncle Rowley Wall on the Winton-Longreach freight and mail that has no cab, no windscreen but four across seating. There is a passenger outboard of the driver. Dated 1923. Four across had vanished by the outbreak of WW2.

Perhaps not quite. Attached is a photo of our family "car" in 1950. My father built a new cab to fit the whole family on a 1925 Reo. (that's me on the left)

John

**Bearman** · 8th March 2014, 06:40 AM

Originally Posted by V8Ian

Until the midis '80s SAR and W model Kenworths had a cab width to rival an Austin A30, one can still touch the passenger door from the drivers' seats of the latest conventional cabs.
An early Australian narrow cabbed Kenworth.

I reckon the that the old B model Macks were narrower than that Ian. Driver and passenger were almost rubbing shoulders.

**V8Ian** · 8th March 2014, 07:42 AM

Originally Posted by JDNSW

Perhaps not quite. Attached is a photo of our family "car" in 1950. My father built a new cab to fit the whole family on a 1925 Reo. (that's me on the left)

John

I hope he got a blue plate for it John.

**JDNSW** · 8th March 2014, 09:20 AM

Originally Posted by V8Ian

I hope he got a blue plate for it John.

Blue plates did not exist then - as your smiley indicates!

John

olbod · 8th March 2014, 09:33 AM

Besides my old 49 5 ton Austin workhorse, my favourite truck will always be the International R190 from around the 60's with a 36' Mcgrath single axle trailer.
Wish I still had mine.

**V8Ian** · 8th March 2014, 12:20 PM

Originally Posted by olbod

Besides my old 49 5 ton Austin workhorse, my favourite truck will always be the International R190 from around the 60's with a 36' Mcgrath single axle trailer.
Wish I still had mine.

The old Inters of the day were highly regarded Robert. A bit before my time. You might find this place

HCVC Vintage Truck Forum - Index

of interest.

Thread: Truckies, new truck design concept!

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