robert1952:
Yep, it was the latter (ie a UK-based network for Deutz). Here’s a quotation from Commercial Motor 17th November 1967. Robert
'SEDDON-DEUTZ FORMED
THE import and marketing of MagirusDeutz commercial vehicles will be the initial task of a private limited company, Seddon-Deutz Ltd., incorporated on November 10 with an authorized share capital of £100,000. It has been established by Klockner-HumboldtDeutz AG and Seddon Diesel Vehicles Ltd. At a later stage it will assemble Deutz vehicles in the UK, probably with a British content.
An announcement made on Tuesday reveals that directors will be Dr. H. G. Emmendoerfer (export director K-H-D), Mr. S. M. Thieme (managing director of the engine subsidiary British Deutz Ltd.), Mr. H. Redmond (Seddon chairman) and Mr. D. Redmond (director of Seddon). General manager of Seddon-Deutz is Mr. Frank Tinsdale.
A 20,000 sq.ft. service centre set up at Middleton, Lanes, is equipped to service all Continental makes and it will carry spares for Deutz vehicles—both those currently being imported and models brought in by the former concessionaire. Seddon-Deutz Ltd. is at Stakehill Trading Estate, Middleton; telephone 061-6439251.'[/quote
Evening all,
Interesting what comes up…and none more than Roberts post above… Look at the title of General Manager, non other than Frank Tinsdale, who became the importer for Magirus Deutz in the United Kingdom. A very interesting man, who was instrumental in some quite significant influences in the UK industry over two decades.
Personally, (and I go back to being a very raw, ex lorry driver salesman for my beloved Atkinsons in the early `70s), when I had the opportunity of meeting the Redman Brothers, (two individuals that I can honestly say I did not warm towards), and I told them that as long as they built lorries as they were,( at that time), then they would never equal the quality of an Atkinson…not well received I can tell you !
Gingerfold really has the key, Seddon were a manufacturer who built a quality product…but the 1300 serie, and its derivatives, were built to a price specification, that was the truth. OK, you could get 11 tons on a 4x2 @16 tons, but what an abortionate device it was,…anyone remember that handbrake, with its push down top, formed by a bloomin washer!..I remember the blood blisters that device gave me! And that bare shell Motor Panels Cab, they should make the designers of that drive it for the rest of their lives as pensioners…Then there were the V8 Perkins 6x4s, and even worse the tractor,“,jumping jack flash”…28 tons of Pat Collins Fairground ride!..How could such a quality manufacturer drop so low? …but they did…and made money…enough to buy Atkinson…and everything that followed was in the "bargain basement " mode!
As gingerfold says, Seddon had a following in the Benelux, and a strong one at that, both for lorries, and PSVs…
But when they introduced the Rolls Royce powered 220 10 speed Fuller tractor, at £ 6600 list…(_15% to “fleet” users, …and 17.5% to more influential users)!..Seddon hit a nerve…10% deposit most could raise…and they did…and that lorry sold well…but ye Gods it was a real cowboy lorry to drive, with, (as Trev H says), that jumping throttle pedal…but a real rorty torty hill stormer with the RTO 10 Speed Fuller…people used to stare in amazement as just how quickly you could slot the up changes in…and the bucking old girl would power over any hill…Bugger the economy…this was real performance…
I remember overtaking one of Fletchers from Brierley Hill, (in deepest darkest Black Country…for those of a more Southern, or Northern persuasion), AEC Mandator 32 tonne outfits, on the long drag up out of their yard , with //2consumate" ease, nicking the extra gear as I went…(and I had Seddons grossly overloaded poor old Boden test trailer behind me…well over 32 tons),…and they bought a fair few of them…(but by then I was long gone to Hartshornes, and the beautiful F86 Tractors, and 6 wheelers)…but they" d`aint ave the guts of that there Roller"…I can tell you!
Happy , “innocent” days!
Cheerio for now.
Plus they took ages to die down between changes, the Rolls 265 Li with the Bosch pump was (to me) far more controllable but I suppose it is whatever you get used to? Having said that, my last two trucks both had L10’s in them and they were OK, maybe Foden increased the spring tension or perhaps I just adapted to it? 
