06 Bridge in time
Built originally as one of 10 mobile workshops to service bridges in Southern Rhodesia, Steve Curry’s 1949 Thornycroft Trusty 6x4 has survived against all odds. Bob Tuck travels to the Cape Town suburb of Maitland to piece together its unique story. And, of course, have a short stint behind the Thornycroft’s special – telescopic – steering wheel.
12 News and events
All the latest news from around the world of classic commercials.
18 The prewar GPO
The Post Office Vehicle Club will celebrate the 50th anniversary of its formation in June this year and to mark this significant point in the club’s history its members are holding a special event on September 15 at the British Postal Museum & Archive’s Debden Museum Store. Alan Barnes took the opportunity to speak to the club’s Christopher Hogan about its formation and activities over the past half a century.
24 The chaos of Covent Garden
Arthur Ingram attempts to show the cramped conditions which existed in the Covent Garden area during the peak period of its existence, and highlights just a few of the vehicles which would have been seen.
28 Readers’ letters
Four pages of your queries, memories and observations.
32 Subscription form
Save money and get your copy of HC delivered to your door early by subscribing.
34 Recovery rarity
The Volvo N86 is a rare wagon in Britain – but Dave Bowers tracked down a cracking example in Manchester.
38 Debbi’s delight
Debbi Amies and her partner Warren began to collect vintage tractors in 2006. However, Debbi, who has lived on the west coast of the South Island in New Zealand her whole life, wanted to do something new, something different. Roger Hamlin reports.
40 Busman’s holiday
What does a UK heavy haulage driver working in South Africa do when he goes on a two week holiday back home? Well, if his name is Graham Booth he walks to the bottom of his garden and wheels out his fully restored 1961 Scammell Super Constructor – one of the finest heavy haulers to leave the Watford factory. Bob Tuck joins the suntanned Graham for a trip round the suburbs of Southport in one of Pickfords’ finest.
48 Elgin marvel
The proud name of Dennis has been around since the earliest days of commercial transport, and Garry Scott from Elgin owns a superb example. Bob Weir drove up to the north of Scotland to check out FF 2240, and hear about its restoration.
52 On location
This month Gyles Carpenter reports on the 14th Kirkby Stephen Commercial Rally.
54 Centrespread
This month we feature David Hoare’s newly restored 1935 Leyland Octopus. Photo by Gyles Carpenter.
56 Life in transport – Keith Bradley
As reported last month, Keith Bradley appreciates the challenge of driving his ex-Pickfords Atkinson with its dodgy gearbox and 22ft showman’s caravan on tow. This month Dave Bowers reports on Keith’s driving career, which started in surprisingly modest fashion behind the wheel of an Austin K9 mobile shop.
60 Racy Stacy
Dean Reader tells the story of Stacy – a far from standard Standard Vanguard.
64 Best in the West
Ed Burrows explores the history of Canadian truck builder Hayes, rated by Hayes veteran Stephen Drybrough as ‘best in the West’. And who could argue? His HDX, the last ever Hayes to leave the factory, runs at a typical gross of 150 tons hauling lumber up and down Vancouver Island mountain forest trails – and has being doing so for 37 years.
72 From our archive
This month’s archive sales brochure features Scammell’s Himalayan dump truck. Did you drive one?
74 Commer’s Hi-Line
Bob Hobbs of the National Archive of Transport Travel & Trade takes a look at Commer’s long lived Hi-Line cab.
78 Super 16
Alan Barnes tells the story of Volvo’s powerhouse engines and vehicles which are now celebrating their 25th year.
84 Top class Topline
Isn’t life strange... how watching a simple film on television can affect the direction one wants to proceed in. After watching a rerun of the documentary Destination Doha, which is a true classic, Colin Eaton explained to Gina Harvey that the programme gave him the idea of how to restore his 1995 Scania 143 Topline Streamline.
89 HC Marketplace
The place to try first for buying and selling anything related to classic commercials.
