Ford pick-up to take on Japanese
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FORD is now selling its South African built one-tonne payload pick-up in a bid to take on the Japanese importers.
Two versions are available, the P100 and P100L, and both are mechanically identical with differences only in trim levels and standard equipment. It is based around the Cortina, but Ford says 75 per cent of the components have been specially developed for the pick-up application. It uses Ford's 1.6 litre OHC petrol engine from the Cortina.
In the P100, the engine develops 73bhp at 5,300rpm, while the gearbox is a four-speed all A SCOW END Wilcox heavyduty tipper body said to combine the turnaround speed of a dump truck with the economy and versatility of a normal sixwheeler has been built for H. T. Hughes and Sons, of Portsmouth.
The aluminium alloy body gives a capacity of 15.5 tonnes, and is mounted on a MercedesBenz 2419 6x4 chassis which is being used on short-haul offroad work. Fast turnround has increased the daily tonnage by 31 tonnes.
The body is 5.33m (lift 6in) long with 1.14m (3ft 9in) sides. The air-operated tailgate has been reinforced by thick gauge aluminium alloy to cater for quarry work. synchromesh unit with floormounted gearshift. The South African-built Borg Warner live rear axle is mounted on semielliptic leaf springs, unlike the coil springs used on the car.
The P100 is based on a laddertype chassis which fits into the specially-designed floorpan of the driver's cab. On this is mounted a double skinned steel load box on the increased wheelbase of 2.87m (1131n'). Double skinning is said to be unique to the P100.
The rear tailgate is designed to hinge between 0 and 180°, and is retained by heavy securing chains.
The P100 is equipped to a high level of standard specification, and is available in a range of five colours. L models have a higher specification enhanced by cloth trim, in place of vinyl, a rubber load box floor mat, load box ton neau cover, remote control driving mirror, radio installation kit, and lockable glovebox.
Prices for the P100, excluding vat, delivery, and number plates are competitive, with the P100 selling at £3,720 and the PlOOL £3,890.
A road test of the new model appears in next week's CM.