Imagine you are 20 years old and it is 1950. You are about to embark upon your career in the transport/motor industry- as a driver, engineer, salesman, fitter, operator- whatever you like. Which country in the world would you consider to be the best place to do it? Given the hindsight of your real life’s experiences and knowledge to date, which nation would have given you the most job satisfaction, happiness and prosperity?
As an example, I fancy Sweden. It must have been exciting being part of their commercial vehicle industry, as it went through the process of becoming the best in the world.
[zb]
anorak:
Imagine you are 20 years old and it is 1950. You are about to embark upon your career in the transport/motor industry- as a driver, engineer, salesman, fitter, operator- whatever you like. Which country in the world would you consider to be the best place to do it? Given the hindsight of your real life’s experiences and knowledge to date, which nation would have given you the most job satisfaction, happiness and prosperity?
As an example, I fancy Sweden. It must have been exciting being part of their commercial vehicle industry, as it went through the process of becoming the best in the world.
That would be Holland for me with DAF and the Dutch transport infrastructure, roads, ports, canals, rivers, and railways all working in harmony.
I’d go to the U.S as I like cat ■■■■■■■ ect ,although having never been I could be wrong.johnny cash built it one piece at a time and it didn’t cost him a dime!
Starting out in 1950 there was money to be made in this country for anyone prepared to (a) work hard and (b) take a gamble.
Hopefully by 1970, when it all started to go t*ts up, I would have sold my highly successful transport empire to the highest bidder and defected to sunnier climes.
[zb]
anorak:
Imagine you are 20 years old and it is 1950. You are about to embark upon your career in the transport/motor industry- as a driver, engineer, salesman, fitter, operator- whatever you like. Which country in the world would you consider to be the best place to do it? Given the hindsight of your real life’s experiences and knowledge to date, which nation would have given you the most job satisfaction, happiness and prosperity?
As an example, I fancy Sweden. It must have been exciting being part of their commercial vehicle industry, as it went through the process of becoming the best in the world.
That would be Holland for me with DAF and the Dutch transport infrastructure, roads, ports, canals, rivers, and railways all working in harmony.
Possibly my second choice, maybe the first! Do they not regard transport as their national industry? The Netherlands does not come to mind as one of the automotive giants of the world but, in the 1950s and ‘60s, which country had more coachbuilders? DAF is now the “in-house” engine for the United States’ last major home-owned truck builder, so the Dutch engineering profession must have been doing something right along the way. I must confess to a love of the Netherlands- everything is spick and span, unlike some parts of Germany, despite its reputation. The Dutch people seem laid-back, yet diligent, professional and public-spirited at the same time. Given my time again, studying drawings of Leyland O680s in Eindhoven would have been a good way to spend the day, in the time.
Hi anorak, bit of info with regard to your mention that " DAF is now the in-house engine for the United States’ "
Paccar engines in Daf trucks European and American daf.eu/uk/trucks/model-range … gines.aspx
Myself when I left school was offered sponsorship by two uncles already in OZ, my mother would not sign the papers, later when newly married, seriously toyed with idea of going to NZ, better half reneged at the last minute, today 55 years later, no regrets. I exchange the odd email now and again with truck driving contacts abroad, most feel the job would be better with less regulation, a bit like it is here.
Cheers
Oily
oiltreader:
Hi anorak, bit of info with regard to your mention that " DAF is now the in-house engine for the United States’ "
Paccar engines in Daf trucks European and American daf.eu/uk/trucks/model-range … gines.aspx
Myself when I left school was offered sponsorship by two uncles already in OZ, my mother would not sign the papers, later when newly married, seriously toyed with idea of going to NZ, better half reneged at the last minute, today 55 years later, no regrets. I exchange the odd email now and again with truck driving contacts abroad, most feel the job would be better with less regulation, a bit like it is here.
Cheers
Oily
That first link announces a new Paccar 11 litre engine- designed and built by DAF. You might have expected an American-owned company to gradually move the “added value” parts of the business to their headquarters, just using their satellite plants abroad for local-market screwdrivering, but no- the Dutch must be doing something right, for Paccar to leave the clever stuff to them.
Regarding regulation etc, I spoke to a Dutch lorry driver on holiday last year. His working life seemed just as miserable as those of the drivers posting on the Professional Drivers part of this site- the lack of freedom and the long hours made him hate the job: controlled by a mobile 'phone and working 15 hour days, including loading and unloading, which was done with the tacho on “Rest”. Maybe the early post-war years were a golden age for the working man, regardless of location.
hallo, I should stay in Belgium,but every country has his bad and good points. The more trucks on the way the more rules luckily we here could continue to earn money till about 2000.In the '50’s and '60’s you could make good money and if you bought some trucks on your own and be economical and a bit luck you could have a nice lot earned. Of course the bad time started at the middle of the '70’s at the moment we got good motorways and better trucks and the start of rules and rules. being a bit prudent it became better and better in the '80’s but never like in the '60’s. But in the '90’s you had to run down keep the best payed work and continue with less trucks. From 2000 you must get out of business sell work to the most bidder and have worn out trucks which earned you twice there money.
than make your choise,I took the garage first a haulier than a dealer. But the more electronics what was for the younger
(I understand they know it we as old school lads no) The heavier, dirtier work you had to do,and than the cheaper PL’s came,so I said OK and early retired and continue part time but only if the money is right. Lots speak of the golden thirthies OK but I think it was far less then thirty.
Pitty for the youth,but it never come back. Now we live in an overruled country in which foreigners may do everything without punishment and residents may nothing and pays taxes and fines for everything.
China the more you brings the more factories we can close and so we become an environement-friendly country.
Foreigners come take the work of our residents and help to put the poverty.
I went right round driving trucks in the 80’s and 90’s. UK, Europe, Australia, Africa, America, Canada, M/E, Russia, Kazakhstan, China. Fantastic fun, but utopia doesn’t exist. As for Australia in the 50’s like 3 Wheeler said 45+ in the summer, no air con, unsealed roads, 240 hp powered road trains, very big spaces from town to town. Don’t think so.
If I had to do it in the 50’s it would have to be the UK, as long as they weren’t running the A,B, or C, licenses. Then get into the M/E work in the 70’s using all the contacts I had made, run that until the early 80’s, do Spanish fridges on the wire, a bit of Turkey, and IFOR in the 90’s then sell up just before the ministry caught up with me.
