We have purchased an Old Yellow Ford Transcontinental Wrecker, Registration Number TJL562S as a Project, but not sure if any of you out there are familiar with this Vehicle?. It has had a Renault R360 Cab fitted in the past, little swapped over in doing so, and it’s also fitted with a Two Stroke Detroit Engine, beast of a Motor, but in need of some work. If anyone can provide me with any info regarding the vehicle, such as where it started it’s life and what Haulage companies ran the Old Girl, I really would be delighted. Some photo’s will follow, but if anyone has any in its former Glory, again, I would love to see them. Kev
Hi Transconkev , you couldn’t have been luckier 
TJL 562S was new to swift transport Northampton (jan 1st 1977)supplied by Airflow Steamlines Ford agent & was driven by my dad Jack Hogarth on general haulage tramping all over the uk , it received its detroit engine around 1982 & was fitted as a trial by Fords at detroit desiel allison in Wellingborough , the second transcon from swifts to have one fitted , my dad retired around 1985 so i had no idea what happened to it after that , hope this helps
Tony
ps forgot to point out was a tractor unit 4427 red/white cab , black chassis
tonyhogi:
Hi Transconkev , you couldn’t have been luckier
Tony
Thanks Tony, that is great News, we have had the Old Girl for about 6 Months, covered under a sheet, but we have just started the restoration project. It’s been a Wrecker for a While by the looks of it, she starts on the button (With Batteries), runs pretty good for her age and drives ok, although we are starting by Stripping down the Brakes/Hubs etc, I would love some photos if you have any, I am taking some of her at each stage of the Strip down/Renovation etc. Kind Regards, Kev
dar1976:
This thread may help
Many thanks for this, its given me a lead… I’m new to this forum, so thank you for your help, I guess I have some reading, its one hell of a long topic.
Sorry Kev , no pics i’m afraid 
been trying to get some myself with no luck ( see Swifts thread ) is there much left of the original motor ? Or is it like Triggers broom 
?
Transcon-Kev:
tonyhogi:
Hi Transconkev , you couldn’t have been luckier
TonyThanks Tony, that is great News, we have had the Old Girl for about 6 Months, covered under a sheet, but we have just started the restoration project. It’s been a Wrecker for a While by the looks of it, she starts on the button (With Batteries), runs pretty good for her age and drives ok, although we are starting by Stripping down the Brakes/Hubs etc, I would love some photos if you have any, I am taking some of her at each stage of the Strip down/Renovation etc. Kind Regards, Kev
dar1976:
This thread may helpMany thanks for this, its given me a lead… I’m new to this forum, so thank you for your help, I guess I have some reading, its one hell of a long topic.
The Reg will be highlighted if you follow my link.
I notice Tony has replied who was the linked poster so looks like all has come together.
Glad to be of help
Kev incidently what type of Detroit is fitted to her ? & i know the other Transcon that had one fitted PNH 2R , you had to tilt the cab to check & top up the oil 
Hi Tony, the Old Girl isn’t that bad, although it’s not had the Ford Transcontinental interior swapped across when it had the R360 Cab change, and been used purely as a Wrecker, nothing makes me feel that whoever did the change was interested in keeping it as a 100% Transcon, but I guess it was more about getting it out to work, which is a shame.
Would you know if it was a Mk1 or 2?, as I would imagine that it was probably on the change over year?
I’m not familiar with the Detroit Engines, It looks very similar to one fitted in a Bedford TM that we used to service back in the 80’s, although I have a lad who’s in conversation with a specialist, they seem to think its a Marine application■■? I will let you know more as soon as I get the information, but yes, this is a strange one!
Thank you All for your help, I have moved forward quicker than I thought I would… Thank you.
Kev , she was a Mk 1 , 4427 ( fitted with a 278 bhp small cam 14 lt ■■■■■■■ ) 13 speed fuller & used to fly! was without doubt the best motor my dad ever had & spent many happy school holidays in the the ole girl ,would have loved to bought one myself & restored it in the original swift colours
Hi there Kev there is a great web site on the web its a Dutch site but in English it is fordtranscontinetal.nl . I hope this will help you . I didn’t know that they had some with Detroit engines in them I thought they had ■■■■■■■ in them . A firm my dad worked for had one on demo it was an amazing truck the worse thing was the cab when you went a round the bends the cab was too soft . It way a head of most lorries its a pity that they faded a way . Tony
mercman123:
Hi there Kev there is a great web site on the web its a Dutch site but in English it is fordtranscontinetal.nl . I hope this will help you . I didn’t know that they had some with Detroit engines in them I thought they had ■■■■■■■ in them . A firm my dad worked for had one on demo it was an amazing truck the worse thing was the cab when you went a round the bends the cab was too soft . It way a head of most lorries its a pity that they faded a way . Tony
Tony ,they didn’t have detroits fitted to them - two of swifts ones had these engines fitted as a trial by Fords early 80s & i think they were different to the ones fitted to the TM
Hi Tony I see thought it was weird a Detroit in them do you know if it was the engines that went into Bedford TMs the 6 or 8 cyclinder ones . Tony
Heres a pic of LVV 949V in the new colours that TJL was painted in around 1980 , when new ,it had the lower plastic panels & grille in white & top half of cab in red with the ‘bird’ on each door , & a hatcher illuminted headboard with Swift Service as in pic
viewtopic.php?f=35&t=54682&start=60
mercman123:
Hi Tony I see thought it was weird a Detroit in them do you know if it was the engines that went into Bedford TMs the 6 or 8 cyclinder ones . Tony
Tony , i think they were different engines than the types fitted to the TM , as i think Ford may have been trialing them for a possible fitment in the cargo , but i may be wrong , i have asked this question myself on another thread but with no joy - hopefully someone out there will no!
Thank you for the replies, I am keen to try to get the old Girl as near to its origional colours etc as poss, but parts are so difficult to get hold of, I think that I may have to customize the interior etc, as its nearly all Reno.
I would Imagine that she’s possibly the only one remaining with a Detroit Diesel?, such a shame that its going to be almost impossible to get her back to her former glorious self?
I will keep you posted with the progress, and if anyone is running up to the Shropshire region, drop me a line and pop in to see the Motor yourself.
Thank you All… Some great feedback.
Kev , are you goin to change her back to a tractor unit? or is that too difficult? Anyway great to hear the ole girl is still around after all this time & i’ll drop you a line if in the area - would be great to see her after 30 years!! & dont hesitate to drop me a line if you need anymore info as i remember exactly how she was when new 
Tony