I love that last picture. Is that Mr. H. Whyatt himself? And is that his grandaughter? What year is it, '30s? If so the little old lady might still be alive today. Come on you reg. no. experts, what year is that Foden?
Idle wonderings about lost youth and old age. 
Spardo:
I love that last picture. Is that Mr. H. Whyatt himself? And is that his grandaughter? What year is it, '30s? If so the little old lady might still be alive today. Come on you reg. no. experts, what year is that Foden?
Idle wonderings about lost youth and old age.
The man looks to be dressed in quite a modern style, well at least shirt? Shame a letter is obscured on the reg plate. What is the guess on the age of the Foden at the time?
Spardo wrote:
I love that last picture. Is that Mr. H. Whyatt himself? And is that his grandaughter? What year is it, '30s? If so the little old lady might still be alive today. Come on you reg. no. experts, what year is that Foden?
Firstly this design of Foden four wheeler was introduced in 1935 known as the S Type but they were also termed as ‘Streamline’ as the cab had a sharp screen curve from the top of the front panel to the roof (hence the Streamline tag). However with the angled screen and front pillars which were quite a thick section especially as the pillar reached the roof, it was felt this gave poor visibility so during 1937 this was redesigned (as in the photo) to give less of an angle and improved not only better visibility but manufacturing costs too. Two versions were introduced the S.9 for lighter four wheelers and the S.10 for heavier four, six and eight wheelers. The lighter S.9 cabbed four wheeler designated OG 4/6 had a Four cylinder 4LK Gardner, Foden four speed box, Kirkstall rear axle and with a 6 Ton payload, I believe it is this model in the photo as it has the small headlights, the S.10 lights being slightly bigger. Also the radiator is still flat fronted a little later on from 1937 the rads were curved to follow the line of the cab front. As for dating the Foden, which bearing in mind doesn’t actually date the photo as the same year, this depending on the age of the vehicle. Chadderton is Greater Manchester and the NA registration fits that area, therefore the Foden’s DNA reg would make it December 1936 to October 1937 and that also seems to fit nicely with the lorry being an early S.9 but post ‘Streamline’ model. The photo at a guess is pre WWII as during war years it would have the required blackout lights and white markings. The S.10 versions by the way had the option of 4, 5 or 6LW Gardners depending on layout. Franky.
Brilliant detective work Franky, thank you. 
So that makes the little old lady about, what, 85 to 90 years old now.
I wonder if she is still around. I hope so.
I’ve just had a look at the photo of the Foden on the site it was taken from and I could enlarge it more on there, it seems the lorry has done some work and got a few dings around it. It could mean the photo is actually post WWII maybe even to late 40’s, They did get many years use out of these old motors. The chap in the photo is also wearing a knitted tank top with a short sleeved shirt underneath. These tops were popular during the 30’s/40’s originally a swimwear outfit in the 20’s, Tanksuit coming from the swimwear used in a Swimming Tank as they were called then, I believe Pool is an American term we adopted and later used as we often do. Interesting photo all the same. The young girl could be around 80 years old now so possibly still about. Franky.
More good work then, I see what you mean but as Metal Merchant might well mean scrap yard you might expect it to have a few ‘dings’.
Nevertheless she might well have been in my primary class at school then.
Probably not though, as Chadderton is almost exactly opposite my school in Davyhulme across Manchester.
Those 2 of Baxters, just sitting there patiently waiting for the best bit. S & R. 
oiltreader:
Credit to Len Wright for the photo.
Oily
Foden Twin Load. I was impressed when I first saw one and always thought it a missed opportunity. The UK’s nearest effort towards a B-Double?
I know Denby’s and Stan Robinson did their best, with differing systems, all to no avail. But for long distance motorway trunking I always thought worth pursueing.
