Sunday 28 February 2010

Ford Cortina 2000E 1970

Ford Cortina 2000E 1970


What is your favourite car of all time?


Ford Cortina 2000E 1970


October 1970 saw the introduction of Ford's new range of Cortinas. The new Cortinas replaced the MkII and incorporated new "Coke bottle" styling, so named because of the distinctive high rear waistline curve. The Cortina MkIII quickly became one of the most significant family models of the 1970s. Produced in a total of 35 basic variants, the top of the tree, and the replacement for the much loved 1600E Mk2 Cortina was the 2000E. It featured twin-choke Weber carburation and many luxury fittings associated with the "E" such as wooden facia and door cappings, deep pile carpeting, which carried on up the door base and luxury velour seating. The 2000E was also available as an Estate version, which made for an extremely practical luxury car.


If you would like to find out more about the classic Ford Executive car art featured in this guide please click here.


Thank you for reading my guide and I hope you found it interesting!

Ford Cortina 1600E 1967

Ford Cortina 1600E 1967


What is your favourite car of all time?


Classic Cortina 1600E 1967


Following the success of the Corsair 2000E, the Cortina 1600E joined the Executive range in October 1967. Created to fit between the GT and Lotus in the Cortina range, the 1600E succeeded brilliantly with over 58,000 examples being built in its three-year production life. The package was excellent, there was the usual "E" refinements inside the car such as wooden facia and plush seats and on the outside, sporty Rostyle wheels, driving lamps and neat black rear panel. The near-to-the-ground stance made the model both distinctive and desirable. Performance was good, using an updated version of the "Kent" cross-flow with a capacity of 1599cc and producing 88bhp, the top speed of the 1600E was around 98mph with 0-60mph acceleration in around 12 seconds. Price when new in 1967, £982. All home market 1600Es were four-door but a few two-door cars were built for export only.


If you would like to find out more about the classic Ford Executive car art featured in this guide please click here.


Thank you for reading my guide and I hope you found it interesting!

British Buses 1960s AEC Reliance - Maidstone and District, AEC Regent V - Newcastle Corporation, Albion Lowlander - Alexander-Midland, Bristol Lodekka

British Buses 1960s


What is your favourite bus of all time?


British Buses 1960s


This is one of many illustrated classic British bus guides I've created for the community. I hope you enjoy it. If you wish to find out more about the classic British bus art featured in this guide please click here.


This guide features several classic British buses from the 1960s.


AEC Reliance ( Maidstone and District )


AEC Reliance ( Maidstone and District )


The very successful AEC Reliance underfloor engine single deck chassis was really the result of tests by AEC to find a lighter chassis than the one employed for the Regal 4. Introduced from 1953, power came from either AEC's 6.75-litre or 7.7-litre oil engine, driving through a five-speed synchromesh gearbox. From 1961 onwards a larger AH 590 engine was employed and towards the end of the 1960s six-speed synchromesh and six-speed direct air operated epicyclic gearboxes were made available.


AEC Regent V ( Newcastle Corporation )


AEC Regent V ( Newcastle Corporation )


Surely one of the most familiar buses of the 1960s, AEC introduced its "tin-front" Regent V model in 1954 and this proved to be a popular model with many municipal fleets.The long running Regent chassis disappeared from the model lists in 1968, as a consequence of two things: the Bus Grants scheme and the impact of the rear-engined double-decker. It was AEC's final double-deck model with almost three-thousand examples to its credit.


Albion Lowlander ( Alexander-Midland )


Albion Lowlander ( Alexander-Midland )


The Lowlander was a lowheight double deck design capable of taking bodies with up to seventy-four seats. A Leyland 140bhp diesel engine was standard, while choices were offered between synchromesh or semi-automatic gearboxes, and leaf-sprung or air rear suspension. The range of Lowlanders included the LR1, LR2 and the LR5 and LR7. The latter two came on the market in 1962 and had an overall height of only 13ft 3 7/8in. Albion ceased manufacture of the Lowlander in 1965.


Bristol Lodekka FLF ( Mansfield District )


Bristol Lodekka FLF ( Mansfield District )


The mould breaking Bristol/ECW Lodekka design revolutionised the concept of lowheight double-deckers, permitting normal central gangways in both decks in place of the awkward upper deck offset gangway of the lowbridge designs. The Lodekka first appeared in 1949 in prototype form and went into production in 1954 with the LD series, to be replaced from 1959 by the flat-floor, air-suspension F series models. Of the total 5,217 Lodekkas built, 1,867 were FLFs.


Daimler Fleetline ( Warrington Corporation )


Daimler Fleetline ( Warrington Corporation )


Following the Leyland Atlantean, Daimler were hot on Leyland's heels with their Fleetline chassis, introduced in 1960. The Fleetline used the familiar Gardner 6LX engine mounted transversely at the rear, similar to the Atlantean, but offered a true lowheight layout thanks to a dropped-centre rear axle. This proved of interest to bus operators with low bridge problems and Daimlers, traditionally regarded as municipal buses, soon became evident in a much wider range of fleets.


Dennis Loline ( City of Oxford )


Dennis Loline ( City of Oxford )


Dennis dabbled in the lowheight market, and made an agreement with Bristol to build the Lodekka under licence as the Loline. This chassis was available with Gardner 6LW or 6LX, AEC AV470 or Leyland 0.600 engines. The Gardner 6LX engine, introduced in 1958, was a more powerful (10.45-litre) option to the 6LW and was soon the standard choice for most operators. An unusual customer for the Loline was City of Oxford, whose fleet was AEC dominated although the Oxford Lolines did at least have AEC engines.


Guy Wulfrunian ( West Riding )


Guy Wulfrunian ( West Riding )


Guy's answer to the Atlantean, developed largely for the West Riding company, was the front-engined Wulfrunian. Guy launched the Wulfrunian at the 1959 Commercial Motor Show, an advanced chassis that combined a front engine (the Gardner 6LX) with an entrance ahead of the front wheels, and such features as independent front suspension and disc brakes. Sadly the model was not a success and only 137 had been built by the time production came to an end in 1965.


Leyland Atlantean ( Silver Star )


Leyland Atlantean ( Silver Star )


June 1956 saw a change in regulation that allowed the 30ft double-decker, thus making the rear-engined double-decker a practical possibility. Only three months later Leyland astonished the industry with the prototype Atlantean, a bus that would set the trend for the next forty years. It used the big Leyland 0.600 engine mounted transversely behind the rear axle and had a setback front axle with the door mounted alongside the driver.


Leyland Leopard ( Sheffield Corporation )


Classic Car Prints


Leyland demonstrated its medium weight Leopard chassis for the first time at the Scottish Motor Show in 1959. There were two versions on offer, the L1 and L2, both using the 0.600 horizontal engine, four-speed synchromesh gearbox, optional two-speed rear axle, and air-brakes on all four wheels. Both models had an overall length of 30ft and a width of 8ft, but the L1 type had a straight rear extension designed for bus work, while the L2's dropped extension made it more suitable for coaches. Sheffield Corporation were among the first purchasers of Leopards.


Thank you for reading my guide and I hope you found it interesting!

Saturday 27 February 2010

Ford Capri 3000E 1970

Capri 3000E


What is your favourite car of all time?


Classic Capri 3000E


It was March 1970 when the E for Executive marketing suffix was applied to the Capri to produce a £1,541 3000E flagship. Replacing the 3000GT at the top of the range, the 3000E carried all the usual X, L, R options and added some extra touches such as a vinyl roof, pushbutton Ford branded radio, electric rear screen, opening rear quarter windows and very welcome cloth inserts for the seats. Fitted with the "Essex" coded ex-Zodiac V6 engine, the early 3000Es provided a performance little better than that of the 2-litre V4 models, although from October 1971 the 3000E and 3000GT were fitted with an improved engine and were now capable of 122mph and a 0-60mph in just 8.4 seconds. At the time Ford described them as the "fastest production line cars ever to marketed by Ford of Britain".


If you would like to find out more about the classic Ford Executive car art featured in this guide please click here.


Thank you for reading my guide and I hope you found it interesting!

Ford Corsair 2000E 1967

Ford Corsair 2000E


What is your favourite car of all time?


Classic Corsair 2000E


The Ford Corsair started life in 1964 and slotted into the Ford range between the established Cortina and Zephyr models. Using many parts common to the Cortina, the early Consul Corsairs as they were known, used the 1500cc Cortina engine. Later in 1965 Ford switched to 1700cc and 2-litre V4 units. The 2000E began life in 1967 and reflected Ford policy to have an "executive" model in all its ranges. The 2000E was "de-chromed" compared with standard Corsairs and featured a vinyl roof.


If you would like to find out more about the classic Ford Executive car art featured in this guide please click here.


Thank you for reading my guide and I hope you found it interesting!

London Country Buses STL Type, RF Type AEC Regal Mk4 (London Country), CRL4 (RMC4 Routemaster Green Line), RML Type Routemaster, SM Type Swift

London Country Buses


What is your favourite bus of all time?


Classic London Country Buses


This is one of many illustrated classic London bus guides I've created for the community. I hope you enjoy it. If you wish to find out more about the classic London bus art featured in this guide please click here.


This guide features some of the classic London country buses from the post-war era.


STL Type


Classic STL Type


Numbering some 2700, the STL class bus was in production over a ten-year period in a wide variety of body styles. STL bodywork reached a zenith in 1937. The last STLs were withdrawn from passenger service as late as November 1952.


AEC Regent RT Type


Classic AEC Regent RT Type


AECs revolutionary Regent RT bus was first seen in 1939 but due to the intervening war years it wasn't until 1947 that deliveries started flowing through. In 1950 alone, LT took delivery of 2000 examples, and by the time the last of the RT family had been put into service, there were 6956 buses.


RF Type AEC Regal Mk4 (London Country)


RF Type AEC Regal Mk4 (London Country)


Between 1951 and 1953, London Transport purchased 700 examples of the AEC Regal Mk4 fitted with Metro-Cammell bodywork to replace their pre-war single deck fleet. Classified RF and of very modern appearance when introduced, these models were fitted with a front-entrance together with stylish fully-fronted bodywork. Often to be found on the extremities of LTS operations, the first RF entered service on Green Line route 704 (Windsor - Tunbridge Wells) in October 1951. The last of the class were withdrawn as late as 1979.


GS Type (Guy)


GS Type (Guy)


Guy developed a special normal control chassis, designated NLLVP, for London Transport when it needed small buses to replace its prewar Leyland Cubs on Country Area services. Entering service from 1953, these little Guys used Perkins P6 engines and ECW 26-seat bodies. Styling was a curious but successful mixture of Fordson lorry front-end, standard ECW side view and LT rear. The 393 was one of the many low-density routes which the class worked. Total production of the GS class was eighty-four.


CRL4 (RMC4 Routemaster Green Line)


CRL4 (RMC4 Routemaster Green Line)


One commonly seen classic was the fourth of the prototype Routemasters, a double-decker Green Line coach with an ECW body and a Leyland engine. Starting life as CRL4 ( Coach Routemaster Leyland ) in October 1957, it was renumbered RMC4 in August 1961. Shown here in the experimental lighter shade of green used between 1961 and 1963 the vehicle later received a front-end rebuild to match the production RMCs but was still distinguishable by its three piece destination display and non-opening front windows.


RMC Type Routemaster( Green Line )


RMC Type Routemaster( Green Line )


Following the successful trials with the Green line coach Routemaster, CRL4, London Transport ordered a batch of 68 coach RMS (coded RMC) in 1962. It meant that for the first time Green Line had a fleet of double-deck vehicles offering high standards of comfort, standards taken further in 1965 with the delivery of forty-three 30ft coach Routemasters (RCLS).


RML Type Routemaster


RML Type Routemaster


In 1961 twenty-four 30ft-long 72-seat Routemasters were built, easily distinguished from the standard RM by the addition of a small window in the centre of each deck. The RMLs ( Routemaster "long") as they were eventually classified were the forerunners of a further batch of 500 delivered between 1965 and 1968, of which 100 were allocated for the country areas. Few operators other than LT showed any interest in the Routemaster, Northern General and British Airways being the exception.


RF Type ( Green Line )


RF Type ( Green Line )


Although the Central and Country Areas shared many common designs, there were some that were exclusive to one or the other, most noticeably the Green Line and private hire fleets. Between August 1966 and July 1967 174 Green Line RFs were modernised inside and out, extending their lifespan for many years and in the process creating a very distinctive vehicle. The roofboards were a feature of Green Line coaches from the start of services in 1930 until the early 1970s, after which time they were removed.


SM Type Swift ( London Country )


SM Type Swift ( London Country )


Introduced in the Country Area in 1970, the AEC Swifts (coded SM) reached a total of 838 in London Transport and London Country service. The 36ft long Merlins proved to be too long for many routes and hence the shortened 33ft 5inch long Swift. Sadly like the Merlins, the Swifts proved to be unreliable in service and the last bus, a SMS was delivered in 1972.


Thank you for reading my guide and I hope you found it interesting!

Friday 26 February 2010

Ford Executive Zodiac 1966

Ford Executive Zodiac


What is your favourite car of all time?


Classic Ford Executive Zodiac


The luxurious Zodiac Executive first appeared in October 1966 and headed the Mk4 range with a remarkably comprehensive standard specification. Power steering was standard as was the steel-panel sliding sunroof. No-cost options were cloth upholstery in place of the standard hide (or vinyl), metallic paint, and the manual gearbox plus overdrive rather than the standard automatic transmission. Test by the motoring press early in 1967, the V6 Executive was found to be "a genuine 100mph car" and despite a laden weight of 31 ½ CWT, accelerated from rest to 60mph in just 13.1 seconds. A fine car, the Zodiac Executive laid down the foundation of the "all in" theme and later models in the Ford range were given the executive treatment with a great deal of success. Metallic colours included Silver Fox, Fern Green, Sapphire Blue, Evergreen, Glacier Blue, Pacific Blue, and Tawny.


If you would like to find out more about the classic Ford Executive car art featured in this guide please click here.


Thank you for reading my guide and I hope you found it interesting!

Ford Escort Mk1 1300E 1973

Mk1 Escort 1300E


What is your favourite car of all time?


Classic Mk1 Escort 1300E


The Mk 1 Escort range was built between 1967 and 1974 and offered everything from a basic 1100 two-door saloon up to a two-litre fully-fledged rally car. The 1300E version arrived towards the end of MkI Escort production, being introduced in March 1973. It was originally produced at Aveley before the model went "mainstream". The 1300E boasted full instrumentation including rev counter, oil pressure gauge, battery condition indicator and odometer. Standard features included deep-pile carpeting, "walnut" wood trim and halogen auxiliary driving lamps. Sharing its engine with the Escort GT, maximum power was 75bhp @ 6000rpm, translating to a top speed of around 100mph and 0-60mph in 13 seconds. Only 11,000 Es were built in 1973 and 1974, making it one of the rarest Ford Executive models.


If you would like to find out more about the classic Ford Executive car art featured in this guide please click here.


Thank you for reading my guide and I hope you found it interesting!

Municipal Buses 1950s 1960s Leyland Titan, Crossley, Daimler, Leyland Titan, Leyland Atlantean, Titan, AEC Renown, Daimler

Municipal Buses 1950s, 1960s


What is your favourite bus of all time?


Municipal Buses Of The 1950s and 1960s


This is one of many illustrated classic bus guides I've created for the community. I hope you enjoy it. If you wish to find out more about the classic bus art featured in this guide please click here.


This guide features several classic municipal buses from of the Fifties and Sixties.


Leyland Titan PD2/5 (Blackpool Corporation Transport)


Leyland Titan PD2-PD5 (Blackpool Corporation Transport)


Blackpool's buses have always played second fiddle to the towns famous trams but they were by normal municipal standards, fascinating vehicles. Motor bus operation started in 1921 but it was not until 1932 that substantial numbers of buses were purchased by the Corporation. The mainstay of the early postwar fleet were 100 Burlingham-bodied centre-entrance Leyland PD2/5 Titans. Of distinctive appearance with tehir ornamental full-fronts, they matched the railcoaches in service and gave the town a distinctive public transport image.


Crossley DD42 ( Birmingham City Transport )


Crossley DD42 ( Birmingham City Transport )


The Crossley company had been based in Gorton in Manchester, though its factory was damaged during the war and production of their new post-war double-decker, the DD42, began in a new factory at Errwood Park, Stockport. The DD42 tended to be a municipal bus, more often than not with Crossley's own bodywork. The two biggest customers were Manchester, which had 301 postwar examples (plus the 1944 prototype) and Birmingham, which had 270 with its own style bodywork.


Daimler CVA6 ( Coventry Corporation Transport )


Daimler CVA6 ( Coventry Corporation Transport )


The first Daimler buses in the Coventry fleet were purchased in 1933, and finding these to be very satisfactory, the Corporation supported the local product almost exclusively. By the early 1960s around 95% of the fleet were Daimlers and Metro-Cammell, another Midlands manufacturer, supplied a similar proportion of the bus bodies. One of the classic models was the Daimler CVA6 with a 60-seat Metro-Cammell body. From 1952 deliveries of this bus carried the Birmingham style tin front (with same body) and later Metro-Cammells, the lightweight Orion design. The maroon and cream Coventry livery hailed from 1933, with an increase in cream on some vehicles from the mid-sixties.


Leyland Titan PD2/3 ( Manchester Corporation Transport Department )


Leyland Titan PD2/3 ( Manchester Corporation Transport Department )


Buses were introduced in Manchester in 1906 as tramway feeders but didn not become numerous until after WW1. Local manufacturer Crossley supplied a significant proportion of Mancehster's buses until 1951, though the Leyland product was used increasingly from 1934. The classic Manchester Corporation Transport Department Leyland Titan PD2/3 model was introduced in 1951 fitted with a Metro-Cammell body. The PD2 model was available from Leyland for around 20 years in various guises and until 1954 could be obtained as a complete vehicle with Leyland's own competently styled body.


Leyland Atlantean PDR1/1 ( Liverpool Corporation Passenger Transport )


Leyland Atlantean PDR1/1 ( Liverpool Corporation Passenger Transport )


The production version of the Leyland Atlantean double-decker appeared in 1958, and whilst early Atlanteans suffered some of the same reliability problems as the first rear-engined single-deckers, due to the remote positioning of the engine, the PDR1/1 was accepted by the majority of operators. Liverpool obtained a vast fleet of Atlanteans with its unique "hooded" style which first appeared in 1963. LCPT had opted for the Atlantean as the fleet's mainstay, following trials in 1958/9 betwen an AEC Regent V, a Leyland Atlantean and an AEC Bridgemaster. The "Pier Head" destination was hugely familiar for city centre buses and trams of the period.


Leyland Titan PD2 PD3 ( Halifax Passenger Transport Department )


Leyland Titan PD2 PD3


Leyland, like AEC had customers across the board during the 1950s and 1960s, from small independents, municipal operators, company fleets and London Transport. Its main double-deck offering during this period was the Titan PD2 or the 30ft long Titan PD3 from 1956. In keeping with developments in the industry as a whole, the Titan was available with a growing range of options - exposed radiator or "tin-front", air or vacuum brakes, synchromesh or epicyclic gearbox. The Titan finally disappeared from the model list in 1968/9.


AEC Renown 3B3RA ( Nottingham City Transport )


AEC Renown 3B3RA ( Nottingham City Transport )


Launched in 1962, the two-axle, low floor, double-deck AEC Ronown was designed to take over from the not too successful Bridgemaster. The model used independent front suspension and air bellows rear suspension, similar to that of the Routemaster. 3B3RA versions had four-speed synchronised gearboxes and 3B2RA models carried four-speed direct-selection epicyclic gearboxes. With an 18ft 3 1/2 in wheelbase the Renown could take either forward or rear entrance bodies. Some two-hundred and fifty Renowns were manufactured during the production period of 1962 to 1967.


Daimler CVG6 ( West Bromwich County Borough Transport Department )


Daimler CVG6 ( West Bromwich County Borough Transport Department )


Daimler's main customers during the 1950s were the municipal operators who found the refined Daimler chassis with its preselector transmission ideal for intense urban work. The postwar CV range offered a choice of Gardner 5LW or 6LW engines, or Daimler's own CD6 unit.West Bromwich Corporation employed a fleet of Daimler CVG6 fitted with a Metro-Cammell Orion H63R body. Surely one of the most attractive liveries in the Midlands, the dark blue lower and light blue upper panels are set off with full lining-out, and cream elsewhere, a style used right up until absorption into the West Midlands PTE.


Leyland Atalantean PD1/1 ( Newcastle Upon Tyne Corporation Transport )


Leyland Atalantean PD1/1 ( Newcastle Upon Tyne Corporation Transport )


Corporation buses commenced running in Newcastle as early as 1912. At this time, trams, trolleybuses and buses all ran in different liveries but coinciding with a delivery of AECs in 1949, the destinctive livlery of yellow and cream with maroon wings on buses was adopted. Newcastle was an enthusiastic Atlantean customer and built up a substantial fleet of rear-engined Leylands.


Thank you for reading my guide and I hope you found it interesting!

Thursday 25 February 2010

Porsche 944 1982

Porsche 944 1982


What is your favorite car of all time?


Classic Porsche 944 1982


The 911, 924 and 928 were joined in 1982 by a new model, the 944. It followed the concept of the 924 by using a water-cooled, in-line four-cylinder engine with rear-mounted transmission but it was a very different car. The 2479cc engine had two balance shafts within each crankcase, belt driven in opposite directions to each other, at twice the engine speed. These generated opposing forces to those of the engine so that all balanced in the crankcase. The result was a very smooth car, faster than a 924 and also attractively priced. From 1986 there were S and Turbo versions and inevitably, a year or so later the 944 Turbo S, a superb machine with a top speed of over 160mph (256km/h).


If you would like to find out more about the classic Porsche art featured in this guide please click here.


Thank you for reading my guide and I hope you found it interesting!

Buses In Britain 1950s AEC Regal I Alexander-Northern, Bristol L West Yorkshire, Bristol K Hants and Dorset, Bristol Lodekka LD Western National

Buses In Britain 1950s


What is your favourite bus of all time?


Buses In Britain 1950s


This is one of many illustrated classic British bus guides I've created for the community. I hope you enjoy it. If you wish to find out more about the classic British Bus art featured in this guide please click here.


This guide features a number of classic British buses from the 1950s.


AEC Regal I ( Alexander-Northern )


AEC Regal I ( Alexander-Northern )


The Associated Equipment Company had its beginnings in the London General Omnibus Company, but since 1912 had been a separate commercial business. Although AEC was still the main supplier of bus chassis to London Transport, it built up a substantial business building trucks and buses for customers in the UK and overseas before it merged with Leyland in 1962. The classic AEC Regal 1 was introduced in 1946 with a 7.7-litre engine and crash gearbox.


Bristol L ( West Yorkshire )


Bristol L ( West Yorkshire )


The LL version of the Bristol L chassis was 30ft long and was introduced in 1950-51. Engine types provided the various classifications - the LL5G featuring a Gardner 5LW engine, the LL6G coming with a 6LW unit from Gardner, while a Bristol six-cylinder engine powered the LL6B vehicle. One of the "red" Tilling fleets, West Yorkshire were based in Harrogate and operated in both west and north Yorkshire. Other notable LL5G operators included United Countries, Southern Vectis and Crossville.


Bristol K ( Hants and Dorset )


Bristol K ( Hants and Dorset )


If there was a standard post-war double-decker, it is surely the Bristol K type with ECW Series bodywork. In its Gardner, AEC and Bristol-engined variants (K5G, K6A, K6B), a total of 136 were taken into service between 1946-50. The Bristol K6A TD876 (HLJ25) was purchased new by Hants & Dorset in 1949, but one of many of this type diverted, temporarily and without fleetnames, from Tilling Group companies to London Transport. It did not reach the sunny south coast until March 1950.


Bristol Lodekka LD ( Western National )


Bristol Lodekka LD ( Western National )


Bristol were the first to dispense with the awkward sunken gangway arrangement of the traditional lowheight double-decker, introducing its revolutionary Lodekka model in 1950. The LD, which replaced the K-series had a 16ft 8in wheelbase and a width of 8ft. Engines were Bristol AVW, Gardner 5LW or Gardner 6LW, model designations being LD6B, LD5G and LD6G respectively. The LD6B/ECW 60-seater was obtained by the West Country operator Western National, part of the Tilling group of companies. The Bristol/ECW Lodekka model was the Tilling Group's main double-decker for more than a decade.


Bristol MW ( Royal Blue )


Bristol MW ( Royal Blue )


The Bristol MW (Medium Weight) was the standard underfloor-engined Bristol single-decker for the late 1950s and early 1960s, replacing the semi-integral LS which had been in production since 1950. The MW was only available with Gardner 5HLW or 6HLW engines, being designated MW5G and MW6G respectively. Produced in both bus and coach form, every major Tilling bus company, except Brighton, Hove & District received the Bristol MW, almost two-thousand examples being built.


Guy Arab Mk IV ( East Kent )


Guy Arab Mk IV ( East Kent )


In 1940 the Ministry of Supply contracted Guy Motors to produce a double-decker to utility specification, the result being the Arab Mk I of which 500 were built. As a rugged, unsophisticated chassis, the Arab placed the Guy among the country's leading bus manufacturers. East Kent built up a fleet of Mk 4s Arabs with Park Royal bodywork between 1952 and 1958. The bus shown is a one-off prototype dating from 1952, which had bodywork built by Guy.


Guy Arab Mk 4 ( Chester Corporation )


Guy Arab Mk 4 ( Chester Corporation )


The Guy Arab Mk IV double-decker chassis went into production in 1951 and although a large number of Mk IVs were fitted with concealed radiators some retained the exposed type in the same style as the Mk III. Chester used Guy Arabs for a lengthy period, buying 47, mostly Massey-bodied, between 1953 and 1969. Production of Guy vehicles ceased in 1968 following a takeover by Leyland.


Leyland Titan PD2/1 ( Southdown Motor Services )


Leyland Titan PD2/1 ( Southdown Motor Services )


The legendary Titan is probably the bus for which Leyland is best known. Introduced in 1927 it was produced continuously (apart from a two-year wartime break) until 1969. The Titan PD2 was first seen in1947 (the PD1 model had been introduced in 1945) and these were sold in large numbers to a wide variety of operators. 80 Leyland LD2/1 were employed by Southdown Motor Services in 1948/49. It lasted in service until 1969.


Leyland Olympic ( King Alfred )


Leyland Olympic ( King Alfred )


The Leyland Olympic single-decker was introduced in 1949 in conjunction with MCW as an integral underfloor engined alternative to the Tiger. designated the HR40 Olympic (40 denoting the seating capacity) it used a horizontal version of the 0.600 engine. In 1951, when length regulations were relaxed to allow 30ft single-deckers on two axles it became the HR44, a 44 seater.The Leyland Olympic HR40 formed part of the fleet of the well known Winchester independent, King Alfred Motors.


Thank you for reading my guide and I hope you found it interesting!

Wednesday 24 February 2010

Porsche 928 1977

Porsche 928 1977


What is your favorite car of all time?


Porsche 911 Turbo 1975 1978


The 928 was first seen at the Geneva Motor Show in 1977. Conceived as a top of the range grand tourer, it was as fully equipped and luxurious as was feasible in the 2+2 bodyshell. It copied the 924 in having a front-mounted, water-cooled engine and gearbox in unit with the rear axle. The engine was an all-alloy V-8 of 4474cc. There was a five-speed manual gearbox or a three-speed automatic and the chassis followed Porsche convention of independent suspension and disc brakes for all wheels. In August 1979 the 928S was announced. With modest increase in engine capacity and a sportier camshaft, power rose from 240 to 300 bhp. S cars have discreet front and rear spoilers and smooth wheel covers.


If you would like to find out more about the classic Porsche art featured in this guide please click here.


Thank you for reading my guide and I hope you found it interesting!

Porsche 911 Turbo 1975 1978

Porsche 911 Turbo


What is your favorite car of all time?


Porsche 911 Turbo 1975 1978


The year 1975 saw the introduction of the 911 Turbo, with the 2993cc displacement of the old RS and RSR but with a staggering increase in horsepower to 260. For the 1978 model year there was an even more mind-boggling 300bhp available on standard roadgoing Turbo, now bored out to 97mm and stroked to 74.4mm for capacity of 3299cc. The 911 Turbo had placed the 911 series among the elite of the Supercar class.


If you would like to find out more about the classic Porsche art featured in this guide please click here.


Thank you for reading my guide and I hope you found it interesting!

Classic UK Lorries Scammell Highwayman, Leyland Beaver, Guy Warrior, Foden S21, Foden S39

Classic UK Lorries - On The Move


What is your favourite lorry of all time?


Classic UK Lorries - On The Move


This is one of many illustrated classic British lorry guides I've created for the community. I hope you enjoy it. If you wish to find out more about the classic British lorry art featured in this guide please click here.


This guide features several classic British lorry names from the 1950s-1970s.


Scammell Highwayman


Scammell Highwayman


In Britain during the fifties and early Sixties the only commonly seen articulated heavy lorries were the bonneted Scammell "Artic Eights" and "Highwaymans". The Highwayman name was used from 1960 after the Scammell takeover by the Leyland Group in 1955. Scammells had always supplied the vehicle as a complete "Artic Eight" but under Leyland's direction it was eventually redesignated a 4x2 tractor unit becoming known as the Highwayman and available with a conventional fifth wheel coupling.


Leyland Beaver


Classic Leyland Beaver


The Beaver range was first produced in 1933 for 7.5 ton payloads and over the years both normal and forward-control models have been produced, but the former was dropped after the war. Built before the artic revolution and fitted with one of the last of the old style cabs, which began to disappear in the early sixties, this model had a gross weight of 24 tons. The Dyson semi-trailer had air suspension and was fitted with a large capacity fuel tank.


Guy Warrior


Guy Warrior


This was one of the last type produced by the company before Guy Motors were finally absorbed into the Leyland organisation. Rigid and tractor units were manufactured, which could be fitted with engines from AEC, Meadows, Cummins or Rolls-Royce. The Guy range of the 1950s was considered by many to offer the best-looking cab on any lorry and many famous firms had Guy Warriors in their fleets.


Foden S21


Classic Foden S21


In 1958 the startling new S21 cab was introduced for the FG range. It became known as the Sputnik or Mickey Mouse cab. In addition to their stylish cabs, Fodens were always well equipped vehicles and their ranges were constantly updated during the 1950s and 1960s. Twelve-speed range-change gearboxes became common fitment and Gardner engines remained optional on all models.


Foden S39


Foden S39


Following their tilting S34 cab, introduced in 1962, Foden produced a succession of handsome new cabs through the 1960s and into the early 1970s, such as the fixed S36 with twin headlamps, the S39 and the S40.


ERF LV


Classic ERF LV


Over the years ERF has become the leading British manufacturer; in fact by the 1990s it was the only British owned maker of heavy commercial vehicles - apart from Dennis which specialises in fire appliances, municipal vehicles and buses. The LV series was introduced in 1962 with a range from 6 to 42-tons and a wide variety of wheelbase options. Engines could be Gardner, Perkins, Rolls-Royce or Cummins.


Atkinson Black Knight


Atkinson Black Knight


Atkinson began naming their "Knight" range in the early 1960's - Black Knight for rigid vehicles of all configuration, Silver Knight for tractor units and Gold Knight for tippers and cement mixers (or other short wheelbase use). Atkinson Vehicles Ltd were the subject of a takeover by Seddon Diesel Vehicles Ltd of Oldham in 1970 and Seddon-Atkinson was born. The last Atkinson badged vehicle was produced in 1975, the company then acquired by International Harvester of North America.


Atkinson Borderer


Classic Atkinson Borderer


Atkinson epitomises the British commercial vehicle in it's heyday during the late 1930s through to the 1960s, when British-built lorries were among the finest in the world. It is little wonder that transport enthusiasts nowadays look upon them as great classics.


AEC Mammoth Major Mk5


AEC Mammoth Major Mk5


The AEC Mk 5 range was announced at the 1958 Commercial Vehicle Show. A feature of the new range was their stylish cabs, built mostly by Park Royal Vehicles plus their powerful engines. The main power unit for the leading heavy models, the Mandator tractor and the maximum-weight Mammoth Major eight-wheeler, was the AV691 unit of 11.3-litres/689cu in capacity. Over 6,000 of all versions of the MkV were built up to the end of production in 1964.


Thank you for reading my guide and I hope you found it interesting!