I did some loads for a subbie earlier who still runs a 6w 51 plate ERF ECS. Awful POS on it’s third gearbox (and that’s just been reconditioned) but he still runs it as it’s practically worthless to sell.
Anyone else still drive or operate a loat marque? Fodens seem the most popular, I haven’t seen a Sed Atki around for ages except on fairgrounds or in preservation. And do Hinos count as a lost marque now?
Muckaway:
I did some loads for a subbie earlier who still runs a 6w 51 plate ERF ECS. Awful POS on it’s third gearbox (and that’s just been reconditioned) but he still runs it as it’s practically worthless to sell.
Anyone else still drive or operate a loat marque? Fodens seem the most popular, I haven’t seen a Sed Atki around for ages except on fairgrounds or in preservation. And do Hinos count as a lost marque now?
It’s a shame really. The ERF ECS could have been a good lorry, if rather dated: it had the MAN F2000 sleeper cab and a reliable ■■■■■■■ engine. However, because the Eaton Twin-splitter gearbox (fitted to the older ERF ECs) had just been outlawed by the EU noise regs, they had to find another gearbox and chose that ghastly Eaton synchromesh ‘S’-type 'box which IMHO completely ruined a perfectly good lorry. They went on to make the same mistake with the later ECX model 
. Robert
It’s funny how some mixed bag lorries are really popular and are quite a good product and some are rubbish ,for example and this is only my view the volvo with a Renault cab on ,the Foden alpha all good really but the Erf crossed with a man rubbish .
Punchy Dan:
It’s funny how some mixed bag lorries are really popular and are quite a good product and some are rubbish ,for example and this is only my view the volvo with a Renault cab on ,the Foden alpha all good really but the Erf crossed with a man rubbish .
+1 Dan just wrong!!! 
I lost marks in Geography at school.
Thought the Andes was at the end of my wristies.
Punchy Dan:
It’s funny how some mixed bag lorries are really popular and are quite a good product and some are rubbish ,for example and this is only my view the volvo with a Renault cab on ,the Foden alpha all good really but the Erf crossed with a man rubbish .
Agree with that, I occasionally drove a W reg EC11 8wheeler with 380 ■■■■■■■ and that was a smashing wagon. Being skinny I used to have a kip on that carpetted rear shelf too. 
The subbie I was referring to, had his ECS from new and it replaced a G reg ERF ES (or whatever that funny Steyr cab was). He said that Steyr one was pound for pound the best lorry he’s ever run. Not hard to believe considering he used to run Dodge Commandos.
I saw a Mack badged Renault magnum the other day heading south on the M5. Not a lost marque I know but there can’t be many of them about these days, does that count.
Fosters Booth still run Foden units, and until fairly recently I used to see a Daf 3600? Space cab of theirs running to ABN at Enstone.
A local builder around here still runs a Ford Cargo 7.5t tipper and I think he’s had it from new (E reg).
On a much smaller scale, a local tradesman near me still runs a Maestro van.
The local Heygates flour mill still runs a few old Fodens and I bet they are maxed out on weight every day and worked to death . But the keep on pulling .
Anyone had anything to do with the j reg 85 daf chassis which were fitted with the old style cabs ,was there a transition period ? I have the chance to buy 4 of these rated at 270 which have done 300 miles each .
Punchy Dan:
Anyone had anything to do with the j reg 85 daf chassis which were fitted with the old style cabs ,was there a transition period ? I have the chance to buy 4 of these rated at 270 which have done 300 miles each .
If you’re very lucky they’ll have Eaton Twin-splitter 'boxes in them: many early 85s did! Robert