As if my morning was not enough…when I now attempt to post the system requests that I log on…despite being logged on!..I`m getting too old for this!
On page 2 of this thread I tried to explain the relationship between Guy, and AEC, the closeness of senior staff, the collaboration, and the correct decision by Guy to move away from the lighter end of the market. But no collaboration could have been closer than that between Sydney Guy, and Henry Meadows. They may have occupied adjacent sites at Fallings Park, but there was a close personal friendship between the two men,(Guy gave Meadows one of his V8 Guy motor cars, Meadows liked this so much that he retained it until his death. The same car was enjoyed by a certain T E Lawrence, who stayed with Meadows whil`st finalising the design of a new Air Sea Rescue launch for the Navy, in the 1930s).
Meadows diesels were successfull in Guys bus chassis, but less so in the haulage models. Operators finding the products of Patricroft gave better service and economy, despite the lower power output. True the Goliath, later named Invincible, a Guy bus name, range was almost pure AEC, (AECs chief engineer being an ex Guy man), but Guy redesigned certain features to suit their ideal specification. Then of course came the beautiful Invincible, with Trevor Dudleys cab design based on US car theme. But the chassis, total Guy design, but pressed by Guys original backer, when he left the employ of Sunbeam, Rubery Owen, was both simple, and rugged in engineered design.
gingerfold neatly summed up the dilemma facing manufacturers, they build for a market sector, but the operator sees an advantage in “adapting” a design to suit their requirements…only good basic engineering can cope with that…(and in todays highly regulated world…well it is almost impossible to do)!
TGBs Warrior light 8, started the trend for Guy operators, then the Factory adapted the design…pity the little AEC470, lugging the payload that was “legal”, but it did it , and came back for more. But that steel and fibreglass cab was a star, originally designed to tilt from the waist, but lacking structural integrity, like Charbonneaux`s Television cab for Bernard, Guy finally resolved the issue by making the top half “easily” unboltable.Funny to think that the technology in creating the mouldings for that cab led Guy to diversify into manufacturing swimming pools!!!
Do any of you Gentlemen remember the Broadcaster, Raymond Baxters, “live” Radio transmission along side the 64 Guy Motor Show exhibit Invincible`s driver, as she was driven from Fallings Park to London? The lorry really was the star of that show! That cab stood up well to hard work, and I remember enjoying driving my Uncles (well worn) Warrior 6 wheeler up and down to South Wales. Sedate, yes, but the brakes gave you confidence, and Mr AEC as ever was just reliable…Far removed from the ear splitting calcophony generated by a ■■■■■■■ 180 engined Invincible that I unwisely paid far too much for, and" po go" sticked back from sunny Dudley to Shropshire…with my tail well between my legs!!!
There is far more to write regarding Guy, and Meadows, their alignment together in William Lyons manufacturing empire, and the plans that never were fully realised for both operations. But a Police car has just driven into our yard, I have a feeling I may be required!!
Cheerio for now.
Cheers Bewick.