Meet GEORGE HAMLET!'

16th September 1966, Page 7

16th September 1966

Page 7

Page 8

Page 7, 16th September 1966 — Meet GEORGE HAMLET!'

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Keywords : Windscreen Wiper, Truck, Sedans, Pickup Trucks, Full-size Vehicles, Station Wagons

38-year-old George Hamlett is married with two young sons, Graham and Steven, and lives at Masten, near Manchester. On the road all his working life, he started as a driver's mate at fourteen. During his 24 years in haulage George has handled all types of rigs, ranging from 30 cwt vans to the massive 32-tonner he now drives for BRS----so he has a working driver's interest in new commercial vehicle developments. The distinction of being the first independent driver to try the Sixteen:Four didn't bother him one bit. His comment: 'I've heard about the new Seddon. Let's see what it can do.'

and the SIXTEEN: FOUR

`Big power to payload ratio, that's the key to the Sixteen:Four.' So says one of the Seddon Design Team. Based on the experience gained with the Thirteen:Fourthe most successful Seddon vehicle ever built—Seddon have taken a long-term look into the future and come up with a commercial vehicle that combines all the main features demanded by operators and drivers alike. The first of these is power. And the Sixteen:Four has it in plenty—the new Perkins V8 engine developing 170 bhp gives tremendous acceleration and reliable long-distance pulling power.

An even larger braking area (15+ in x 7 in front and rear) makes for above average braking efficiency.

About the run itself; it was not intended to be a speed trial. George Hamlett was asked to treat the trip as routine—or as near routine as possible considering the Sixteen: Four's exceptional power output. Loading of the 14+-ton payload, as these pictures show, was part of the normal procedure at the BRS Greenheys Depot. The route was carefully selected to include the widest possible variety of surfaces and conditions: long stretches of motorway, main roads in built-up areas, busy urban centres, rural roads, and the notorious 'Strawberry' and 'Shap' on the A6, two of the longest and steepest climbs on regular trucking routes in this country.

The story of the Sixteen:Four's first scheduled haul is interspersed with comments of the Seddon designers and engineers who played leading roles in the development of one of the most powerful—certainly the most advanced—commercial vehicles in its class. 5 am: the Sixteen:Four stands waiting in the slick-wet yard at the BRS Greenheys Depot, ready for its maiden run to Scotland. Drizzle falls steadily from a dismal dawn sky. George Hamlett arrives, alert and refreshed for such an early hour. He inspects the vehicle, the rigging and the 141-ton payload, then climbs up into the cab. Having had less than an hour's actual driving experience with the Sixteen:Four he first familiarises himself with the controls, checks his mirrors and adjusts the seat. Finally satisfied he gives the 'thumbs up' and at 5.10 am precisely the big Perkins V8 engine roars into life.

The Piccadilly Plaza hotel, newcomer to the soaring Manchester sky-line, towers over a broad expanse of rain-washed tarmac devoid of people and pigeons. Down through Salford and on to the A6, bound for Chorley. Once clear of the city George opens up and the decibels rise to an even, healthy note. 42 mph on the clock. Ahead, a tanker battling bravely through the downpour. 'I could eat him', says George, but decides to bide his time. Already he's impressed with the engine's performance but reserves final judgment until he's seen how the V8's 170 bhp hauls 22 tons over Strawberry and Shap.

6.12 am: M6 at Bamber Bridge. The rain has stopped and the horizon ahead is bright and promising. George puts his foot down and the needle hovers comfortably round the 60 mph mark. Without doubt there's bags of beef and brawn here.

Seddon Design Team: This is with the two-speed rear axle, of course, but even so it's the kind of performance we anticipated from the V8. Everyone will have to think very carefully about this power-to-payload factor in the future. The engine makers are all going for biggerpowered engines. One of the reasons is interchangeability of artics—using the same tractor type for both single and tandem axle trailers. Now with the Sixteen:Four you've got an ample margin of power which means it's suitable for a maximum 22-ton G.T.W. on the single and up to 26 tons on the tandem. All engine design at the moment is definitely going for bigger engines. And rightly so, we think, because operators and drivers alike are demanding better acceleration and more power in reserve. Some of the larger undertakings like BRS and British Rail are now specifying a certain bhp per ton, and the Sixteen:Four is rated to meet any new regulations coming into being in the foreseeable future: 7.75 bhp per ton with a single axle trailer; 6.5 bhp per ton with a tandem outfit.

Off the motorway, into Westmorland. On the left the final sandy stretch of Morecambe Bay. George isn't entirely happy with the positioning of the mirrors—thinks the brackets are at fault. The mirrors themselves are fine but adjustment is limited.

Seddon Design Team: This is a fair criticism and to be perfectly honest we've had second thoughts ourselves. To overcome this problem we're fitting 'American'-style tubular brackets fixed at two points to the cab door. The driver can now adjust the mirror to any height—up to eye-level if he wishes—and also swivel the mirror for perfect reaniiard view.

7.55 am: Kendal. Now the climbing begins. George is pleased with the handiness of the controls and the wrap-round windscreen. 'Good vision and they're good wipers. Still give you full view in the worst of weather. There was heavy rain on the A6 just before Bamber Bridge and the wipers were very efficient. You still got 100% vision. I'd like window washers, very useful, especially on motorways. The traffic's fast and throws up a lot of dirt.'

Seddon Design Team: Windscreen washers are available on the Sixteen:Four as an optional extra. We did think of fitting them as standard but of course they add to the cost and it's our principal intention here to produce a highpowered vehicle at a price competitive with other makes. Green-tinted sun visors—another useful extra—are also available if required.

Meet GEORGE HAMLET!'

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