Trucks (since 1960) - Great Britain: Books - History

British and European Trucks of the 1980s

Mergers, amalgamations and joint ventures have meant that the number of pan-European truck manufacturers can now almost be counted on the fingers of one hand.

Modern legislation governing gross weights, emissions and operations, also mean that many of today's trucks are almost uniform. However, in the 1980s more than 50 truck manufacturers built a diverse range of sizes and configurations, the like of which will not be seen again.
Increasing gross weights, the exploration of ultra-long haul routs, and the virtual doubling of engine power over the previous decade meant the '80s were a period of dramatic change.

This unique book explores the products of more than 50 truck manufacturers - from the very largest to the smallest and most obscure - during a period of takeovers, failures and innovative new products. Containing over 120 mostly colour images - most of which have never been published before.

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British Lorries of the 1960s

British commercial manufacturers played a prime role in boosting Britain's economy during the 1960s, especially as many vehicles were exported worldwide. British lorries were, therefore, considered as being the workhorses of the world, performing a wide range of duties from heavy haulage to general goods delivery.

This highly visual study of British lorries of the 1960s captures in 120 illustrations this often understated but very necessary work, which was undertaken day and night, 365 days a year. The images, many contemporary colour and black and white, include some delightful publicity items in addition to covering the heritage and preservation scenes.
The comprehensive text reveals much about the marques that were everyday names, along with information about Britain's road haulage and commercial vehicle industries.

Malcolm Bobbitt is the author of some thirty automotive books and is a member of the Guild of Motoring Writers and the Society of Automotive Historians. This book will rekindle many memories and serve as a reminder of the important role British commercial vehicles played during the 1960s.

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Lorries in Britain: The 1980s

In the 1980s, Great Britain experienced a growing presence of foreign vehicle manufacturers, a trend that eventually led to the decline of all major UK brands. Despite this, many interesting British-built lorries were still in use, supported by loyal companies and individuals.
Several older vehicles remained active on the roads, though they gradually disappeared over time. With numerous previously unpublished photographs, this book captures a vivid record of the era and recalls the appearance of Britain's commercial vehicles before major changes took place.

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Trucks in the 1980s : The Photos of David Wakefield

Many would argue the 1980s were a better time for truck drivers than nowadays: no mobile phones, less traffic on the road, CB radio was all the rage and stickers were the heart of truck customising.
But the transport industry is constantly evolving and companies must adapt their vehicles to keep pace with the developments. As a result, vehicle design and liveries regularly change and many of the companies around in the 1980s have expired and been forgotten, and the trucks are long gone to the great scrapyard in the sky.

David Wakefield has been working in the transport industry for over 30 years and has been taking photos of trucks since the early 1980s. He has amassed thousands of high-quality images, producing one of the most comprehensive photographic collections of the time, but many of his photos have never been previously published

In this vivid compilation, Nick Ireland has collated 300 of David's images from the 80s in order to preserve them and make them publicly available for the first time.
"Trucks in the 1980s" features trucks from all over the world and is a must-have for current and former truckers who will enjoy being reminded of the good old days and to anyone else with an interest in transport history.

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British and European Trucks of the 1970s

The 1970s witnessed more changes to the trucking industry in Europe than any previous decade. Whilst European truck builders had been developing powerful vehicles capable of operating at between 35 to 38 tonnes gross vehicle weight (GVW), and equipped with comfortable sleeper cabs for long haul international journeys, in the UK the truck builders were playing catch up.

The '70s witnessed a number of amalgamations, mergers and take-overs that would change the face of the pan-European trucking industry.
It saw the birth of the infamous British Leyland empire, which was to have far-reaching and disastrous consequences for all the manufacturers it engulfed.
In the face of booming sales of European heavyweights, both Ford and Bedford launched heavyweight models aimed at this key sector, but like most other British truck manufacturers, it was too little too late...

This is a unique account of a turbulent period in trucking history.

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Lorries in Britain: The 1990s

The 1990s were a time of change as British manufacturers struggled to keep pace with the times and the invasion of imported vehicles. However, what a lot of enthusiasts consider to be classics of their time were still to be seen dutifully earning their keep. A lot of UK companies had by this time already tested the water with seed vehicles, which were put head to head with established makes for comparison.

With a wealth of previously unpublished images, this is a fantastic record of the nation's lorry scene during the 1990s.

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Know Your Trucks

This illustrated book delves into the realm of British trucks, offering a comprehensive overview of prominent manufacturers currently dominating the roads.
Focused on the 18 to 44-tonne class, where an HGV (now LGV) license is imperative, the author meticulously presents examples from each manufacturer. Encompassing tractor units, diverse truck bodies, and wheel configurations, the book caters to enthusiasts of all ages seeking fundamental knowledge.

Patrick's expertise extends to showcasing liveries from various carriers, although some vehicles are prototypes. Through insightful cut-away illustrations, the intricate engineering of these trucks is elucidated.
Each full-page photograph is accompanied by essential details regarding the vehicles' power, performance, and pertinent information about the respective companies, including their nationalities and group affiliations.

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Lorries in Britain: The 2000s

NEW

The 2000s marked a period of major change in the British commercial vehicle industry. Several well-known haulage and vehicle manufacturers closed or were taken over.
British lorry makers had mostly disappeared, and foreign trucks became more common on UK roads. ERF, sold to Western Star in 1996, moved from Sandbach to Middlewich in 2000, around the time it was acquired by MAN. The ERF name was dropped in 2009. Foden ended production in 2006, and that same year ENASA/Iveco announced the end of Seddon Atkinson manufacturing. These companies had once played key roles in both domestic and export markets.
Despite this decline, a number of committed users continued to rely on British-built vehicles, proving their strength and reliability in daily use.

This illustrated book by Carl Johnson presents a unique collection of rare and previously unpublished photographs. It captures a time of transition in the early 21st century and offers a visual record of the final years of several iconic British vehicle brands.

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