On the 9th and 10th of November, the Newark Vintage Tractor and Heritage Show will showcase some of Britain’s manufacturers of commercial vehicles.
One such company is Scammell Lorries, which played a significant role in World War 2 hauling tanks with its Pioneer model, which was remodelled at the Mountaineer dump truck.
Jamie Shaw-Browne, a retired lorry builder, will be at the event with his 1952 Mountaineer. He says that the machine holds sentimental value, having formed part of his working fleet.
“Scammell built for drivers as much as the job the vehicle was designed to do. Mine is rather rusty now but in full working order,” he says.
“It’s in need of a new cab and some tinwork – that’ll see it almost as good as new.”
Marking a milestone at the event is ERF, celebrating 50 years of the B series model. Introduced in 1974, it built on the success of the 1971 A series, adding a steel/plastic tilting cabin.
Graeme Turner, a member of the REVS society, will be exhibiting his restored 32t B series machine, complete with a 250hp Cummins engine and the steel/plastic sleeper cab.
It was purchased in 1976 by his father and worked for 21 years in the family’s fleet. In 1983 it was converted to a 38t gross weight, extending the wheelbase and increasing the power output to 370hp.
Twelve years ago, Graeme converted it back to the original specification. “It’s the first truck we had that I slept in as a kid, and then it was the truck I drove for six months after passing my test,” he says. “So it felt right to restore it to its original glory.”
The Bedford O series will celebrate 85 years at the event, with a 1946 model on display courtesy of Alan Robinson, who co-owns the unit with Fred Webb.
The pair purchased the machine 30 years ago. “It had been there for 20 plus years and was destined for scrap,” says Alan. “The rats and mice had chewed the wiring – but we put petrol in it, and it started.”
It took 23 years, but they gradually brought the lorry back to life.
“It was missing its tailboard, so I made that,” says Alan. “A good friend, Peter Jeffery, did all the mechanical work. He stripped and modified the original 3.5-litre six-cylinder engine, to keep the originality but be able to run on modern fuel. It also needed new oil seals for the hydraulic tipper, and a paint job.
“It’s only 28hp with no synchromesh gearbox or power steering, so it’s not a road run – we transport it to shows and enjoy that immensely.”
Tickets are available for the show at www.newarkvintagetractorshow.com, priced at £15 per adult until the 1st of November.