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The legend rumbles on

24th May 2012, Page 27
24th May 2012
Page 27
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Page 27, 24th May 2012 — The legend rumbles on
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In 1969 Scania unveiled the original 350hp 14-litre. Its mighty V8 is still the byword for ‘big-banger’ performance 43 years on. CM offers the ultimate then-and-now trip

Words: Brian Weatherley / Images: Mark Bourdillon

In 1962 a group of senior Scania-Vabis engineers sat around a table at the company’s Södertälje HQ trying to decide what engine should power a new range of forward-control trucks scheduled for launch in 1968. Back then, 250hp was considered more-thanadequate for a top-weight truck, yet Scania’s boffins knew that kind of power simply wouldn’t cut the mustard by the time the new truck arrived. Gross weights were bound to go up in the future, inevitably creating a demand for more power. So why not, they argued, be the first on the market with an engine so powerful it would meet the needs of operators for decades to come? Ah, but what sort of engine? An in-line eight might fit the bill – but it wouldn’t fit underneath the new forward-control cab. Neither would a large-displacement straight-six. The obvious answer was a compact V8, which could sit beneath the same cab as the company’s 11-litre in-line six, yet produce 100hp more. Scania’s decision to plump for a V8 not only ensured the creation of the most iconic heavy truck diesel engine in modern history, it also gave Södertälje immediate ‘king of the road’ bragging rights. So when Scania unveiled its 350hp 14-litre V8 in 1969, it fired the opening salvo in what has become a power war with Volvo that’s lasted more than three decades. Earlier this year, CM celebrated 25 years of Volvo’s 16-litre six-pot with a ‘Battle of the Globetrotters’ feature – with an original F16.470 from 1987 and the very latest FH16.750. It was only a matter of time before we asked ourselves: “Why not do the same then and now exercise with Scania?” A quick call to Milton Keynes revealed they’d been thinking along the same lines. And that’s how we came to be standing at a rain-swept Millbrook test track with a classic Scania LB141 and a modern-day R730 to see how the two vee-bombers compare. In terms of who’s got the longest whiskers, Volvo’s 16-litre is a bit ‘Johnny come lately’ as Scania’s V8 beat it to the punch by 18 years. Back in 1969, the original 14.2-litre V8 in the 140 Super (which stood for turbocharged) delivered an unheard-of 350hp and ground-breaking 1,245Nm of torque. However, within five years the Swedes unleashed a more powerful low revs philosophy version with 25 more horses, and an extra 155Nm of torque delivered 200rpm lower down the rev band. It was this engine, the 375hp DS14, coupled to a 10-speed GR860 range-change synchro-gearbox, that powered the LB141, built between 1976 and 1981. Today the very latest top-of-the-range 16.4-litre V8 block, complete with XPI fuel injection, provides 730hp and 3,500Nm of torque in the Scania R730. Yet that still doesn’t make it the most powerful truck in Europe! That accolade passed to Volvo last year when Gothenburg turned up the wick on its 16-litre straight-six to 750hp. Only we can’t see Scania letting that go unchallenged, especially as the 16.4-litre block has plenty in reserve. Anyone like to bet on a 780 V8?

But all that’s for another day. Our task was to see how the current R730 compares with an original LB141, a classic early-model Middle East wanderer. Upon opening the driver’s door on the LB141, we were immediately hit by that wonderful old truck smell of diesel, grease, rubber and ghosts of drivers past. Even 37 years ago, a Scania was easy to get into, helped by a door that opens a full 90°, well-placed grab-handles and a top step straight out of the best ergonomics hand-book. Upon entering the hallowed ground, however, you soon realise just how far long-haul sleeper cabs have come in four decades.

Inside and out

In the 70s drivers considered the 141 the ultimate cab hotel. How times have changed. You can forget about standing up in the venerable Swede – indeed it wouldn’t be till 1988, and the 3-Series Topline, that a true high-roof Scania would appear. So ‘snug’ is probably the nicest word to describe the LB141’s interior – a situation not helped by its high engine hump, covered by a classic quilted cover. And where on earth does all your kit go? The LB141’s minimal storage space – there’s a bit under the bottom bunk and the headlining, where the CB radio (naturally) sits – begs the question of where on earth two drivers stowed all their gear on a run to Saudi Arabia, especially as there are no exterior lockers on the Scania. Small wonder so many Middle East machines sported a roof rack!

Perched up high on the mechanically sprung Bostrum driver’s seat (forget head restraints or seat belts) and grasping the fixed steering wheel, you’re also reminded that in 1976 drivers had to adapt their shape to the truck, not the other way around. Yet the view from the driving seat is still impressive, even with a trademark sun-shade and those quarter-light bars on the side windows. Electric windows? Forget it, this is a 70s truck!

Inserting the thin, spindly Scania key into the ignition, we pressed the separate starter button and 40 years of diesel heritage rumbled to life beneath us with a glorious burble.

It was time to drive back into the past – but first we needed to wait for the air to build up, as there’s a leak somewhere (it is a 70s truck after all). As the warning buzzer ceased to squawk, we eased VVW 909S and its iconic tandem TIR tilt out onto the Millbrook hill route – and soon discovered the brakes are pretty fierce. And with a steel-sprung drive-axle and coil-sprung cab, the ride is also (not surprisingly) a little, how shall we put it, firm. It was also time to reacquaint ourselves with the LB141’s 10-speed synchro box with its short lever pull to the rear, as well as the long throw forwards. With no load to worry about, we started off in 3lo, then 4 and 5, before clicking the range change button up and going back across the box to start again. Ah, the joys of the ‘don’t rush me’ Scania synchro – we’d quite forgotten how it can leave you with a neutral between the ranges (and a red face) if you rush things.

For a truck over 35 years old, the steering was surprisingly precise and relatively light too, as were the pedals and gearbox. But then the LB141 was considered (along with the Volvo F88/89) the drivers’ choice of its day. Likewise the interior noise levels also weren’t bad (Scania’s engineers did a lot of work on cab noise insulation between the 140 and 141).

With the rain pelting down at Millbrook, we soon found the cab misting up and we had to get some heat on the glass – well that was the idea anyway! With not much warm air coming out of the vents, we simply peered through the condensation and wound down the driver’s window when we wanted a better look out the side.

After our short trip down (and up) memory lane, we headed back to our parking spot and started reversing into our slot. As we trundled rearwards, we wondered how those ‘kings of the road’ ever managed with such small mirrors – we’ll never complain about mirrors on modern trucks being too big again!

Climbing up into the R730 is to fast forward more than 35 years of truck development and driver comfort – the most noticeable smell inside being expensive leather and Pine Tree air freshener. Let’s face it, stacking up an LB141 against the latest R730 is like trying to compare a wind-up gramophone with an iPod – so we won’t try. What’s clear with the Topline cab is how drivers have ended up with the kind of working environment they’d long deserved, but clearly haven’t always had. Comfort, ergonomics, storage... the average 70s Middle East jockey would have thought he’d died and gone to heaven if his gaffer had given him a Topline. The latest incarnation of the mighty V8 still fires up with a reassuring bark when you turn the key – before promptly settling down to its trademark burbling. With 730 horses under your right foot, the only thing to remember is to apply it with restraint – especially on a wet day.

Otherwise sit back, relax and let the Opticruise auto do all the work, leaving you to concentrate on braking and steering. And with the latest heating and ventilation technology, you can forget about steamy windows too! Above all else, the R730 performs its duties with quiet efficiency. In short, what you’d expect from the most powerful Scania V8 on offer.

A nostalgic drive

How to sum up our day? At CM we’re all for nostalgia and haulage heritage, and especially the preservation of classic trucks. Without the dedicated band of enthusiasts who restore them to their former glory, a major chapter in British transport history would be lost forever, and that’s particularly true of the LB141.

There’s no doubt either that the iconic V8-powered tractor still commands a legendary status among veteran long-haul drivers, especially those Middle East pioneers who blazed the trail with their V8 Scanias to Riyadh, Doha, Tehran and beyond. It was a privilege to climb into a piece of trucking history and take it for a short spin. Only, when it comes to the ultimate in creature comfort, driveability, storage and just plain room inside – no offence guys, but – we’ll stick with the R730! n


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