robinswh:
Dodges of that generation were flying machines when fitted wth the perkins engine and eaton two speed axles.
Tell me about it, my first artic was a Kew Dodge 6354 engine took me down the fast lane of the M1 with a 4 in line trailer loaded with asphalt blocks from Matlock at 75 mph.
I think even Standerwick’s double deckers struggled to catch me and the only time I was overtaken was by Hadfields of Ashton under Lyne.
And yes, for all you young lads out there, in those pre-history days before Barbara Castle changed the known world, we were allowed in the 3rd lane and there was no speed limit.
Not a bad kipping cab either, the seats were comfy and the right height with a handy gentle dip in the bonnet line towards the rear.
robinswh:
Dodges of that generation were flying machines when fitted wth the perkins engine and eaton two speed axles.
Tell me about it, my first artic was a Kew Dodge 6354 engine took me down the fast lane of the M1 with a 4 in line trailer loaded with asphalt blocks from Matlock at 75 mph.
I think even Standerwick’s double deckers struggled to catch me and the only time I was overtaken was by Hadfields of Ashton under Lyne.
And yes, for all you young lads out there, in those pre-history days before Barbara Castle changed the known world, we were allowed in the 3rd lane and there was no speed limit.
Not a bad kipping cab either, the seats were comfy and the right height with a handy gentle dip in the bonnet line towards the rear.
A bit later than that, but I remember coming South on the M1, 21T of concrete kerbs, on the overrun at about 70-ish, (speedo needle was wobbling all over the place) in an Atki with no power steering…I would`nt fancy trying that again.
Lance Biscomb ,
Apologies for misspelling your name, lme blaming my steam powered tablet.
Iirc they were 12 ton gross back then as the first lorry I drove was a 1961 Thorneycroft Trident which was.
I started on it in 1965.
Cheers
Mrsteel:
Lanice Boscombe,
Hi’ re: the Dodges the ones on the right are newer models .
Cheers
I think the Grills were re-vamped about 1959. Presumably the first 300s had an engine that pre dated the 6.354?
I can remember, as a kid, the gear lever position looked a bit awkward. Dad like the 2 speed axle, not for performance but it was more robust on tipper work.
I remember as a 9 year old kid going down the M1 motorway with my dad the fourth day it was opened in 1959. My dad drove a 1951 aec mammoth major tipper (plated maudsley) flat out at 35 mph that day it had become obsolete . The motorway started at rugby and ended near watford. Remember seeing many older cars broken down with puddles underneath them old 4 cylinder side valve engines could not sustain long periods of flat out operation .Of course the 4 wheeled ton up boys were blasting down the fast lane . There were no phones or service areas at that time
ref the Dodge’s, the three on the left are models from their release in 1958, the three to the right being 1960 onward models. These LAD Dodge models had several engine options depending on wheelbase/weight, there were 5.76, 5.8 and 6.17 litre engines to chose from and later a 7.7. The D308 and D309 tractors were for 12 and 14 Ton GCW, the 308 with an option of two engines 5.8 and 6.17 litre and the 309 the 6.7 litre when released. Franky.
Geordielad:
ref the Dodge’s, the three on the left are models from their release in 1958, the three to the right being 1960 onward models. These LAD Dodge models had several engine options depending on wheelbase/weight, there were 5.76, 5.8 and 6.17 litre engines to chose from and later a 7.7. The D308 and D309 tractors were for 12 and 14 Ton GCW, the 308 with an option of two engines 5.8 and 6.17 litre and the 309 the 6.7 litre when released. Franky.
Hiya Franky, now I know all the Dodge engines were bought in from the loose engine Manufacturers i.e. Perkins, Leyland & AEC so in your excellent technical explanation —which is which ? Cheers Bewick.
Geordielad:
ref the Dodge’s, the three on the left are models from their release in 1958, the three to the right being 1960 onward models. These LAD Dodge models had several engine options depending on wheelbase/weight, there were 5.76, 5.8 and 6.17 litre engines to chose from and later a 7.7. The D308 and D309 tractors were for 12 and 14 Ton GCW, the 308 with an option of two engines 5.8 and 6.17 litre and the 309 the 6.7 litre when released. Franky.
Dad ran a SWB 6 wheeler with (I think a Primrose) trailing axle. It was poor off the hard, no lifting axle in those days. It was also the only Dodge they had with a Leyland engine.
robinswh:
I remember as a 9 year old kid going down the M1 motorway with my dad the fourth day it was opened in 1959. My dad drove a 1951 aec mammoth major tipper (plated maudsley) flat out at 35 mph that day it had become obsolete . The motorway started at rugby and ended near watfotd. Remember seeing many older cars broken down with puddles underneath them old 4 cylinder side valve engines could sustain long periods of flat out operation .Of course the 4 wheeled ton up boys were blasting down the fast lane . There were no phones or service areas at that time
With the advent of the M/ways it certainly sounded the death knell of the 40 x 8 tyres as even at 35 mph flat out they couldn’t stand 50 miles of constant running the heat build up in the old cross ply design was a killer ! Cheers Bewick
I remember SCA well, I drove a MaggieD back to LeHavre from Mont Blanc when the driver was taken ill. If I remember rightly the man’s name that ask me to drive was Mullins or something close to that. The driver had a suspected Heart attack but was ok 2 days later thankfully.
Regards
Cheers Bewick.
