Thread: Trucks From The Past.

Originally Posted by JDNSW

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.

Originally Posted by V8Ian

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

Originally Posted by V8Ian

How old do you think I am Jim?
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!!

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.

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.

Have a look here, if you haven't already:
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/general-ch...pic-heavy.html

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

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

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

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..