HAPPY DAYS
Page 27
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Retired driver Len Watts just can't get enough of being a truckle. During his working life he drove for the Eldridge Pope Brewery based in Dorchester, Dorset, He has owned this 1947 Austin K4 flatbed, with four-litre petrol engine, for 25 years. Len never drove this vehicle for work, but has clocked up more than 46,000 miles visiting vehicle preservation rallies, as well as taking part in both the London to Brighton and Trans Pennine commercial vehicle runs.
He is seen here at the Torbay Steam Fayre held at Churston, near Brixham, Devon. It looks like Len has passed on his passion for trucks to his son Martin, and the pair are joint owners of the 48/50 Leyland Super Hippo on the right. The Hippo was originally built for the Rhodesian government, but became surplus to requirements and was bought by the James Laing construction company and used for work on the Scottish hydroelectric dams.
Len is also proud owner of a 1937 Leyland Beaver TSC, once owned by Tate and Lyle and believed to be the only one working today. He discovered the Beaver abandoned In woods, where it had stood for more than 20 years without a cab, after being made redundant by its previous owner, Portland Docks.