• Fasson UK, the manufacturer of selfadhesive vinyls, is sponsoring
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a new class in the CM Livery Competition for the best livery using vinyl markings.
As described elsewhere in this issue, a major advantage of these markings is the scope that they offer the designer, so it is appropriate that the judges elected (unanimously) to give the Fasson award to the most highly imaginative livery. This is the Red Star parcel livery on a Dodge S66 boxvan, entered by National Carriers Contract Services.
"11's fun" best sums up the judges' opinion. They were also impressed by the detail finish on the "parcel". On the debit side, they mentioned the intrusion of the National Carriers logo on the front wings and lack of a contact telephone number. National Carriers Contract Services wins a trophy presented by Fasson UK.
Our judges were also looking for the three-dimensional approach, with the livery flowing around the vehicle.
Beaver & Tapley of Southall did not exactly achieve this but did use selfadhesive vinyls to create a clever feeling of depth. A side view of its MercedesBenz 1114 gives the impression that one is actually looking right into a room set in the back of the truck. The idea is repealed on the other side with a different set of furniture.
Mail-order company Grattan entered two liveries, both on 12.2m (40ft) semitrailers pulled by a Volvo FL6. The Kaleidoscope livery shown here was admired for its attractive and colourful logo, nicely scaled to the size of the trailer.
It failed to win because of the disappointing treatment of the rear shutter — does one really need an over-elaborate picture of a telephone to recognise a telephone number?
Another beauty of self-adhesive vinyl markings is that you can peel them off. This is naturally an advantage to truck and van rental companies that want to sell unmarked vehicles within two or three years.
Gallagher of Ipswich has attempted to come to grips with the strong lines and deep pressings of the new Ford Transit with a bold diagonal stripe design. It was not universally liked but the judges agreed that it is eye-catching and thoughtfully positioned to echo and balance the angle of the Transit's front.