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• FIRST FOOTING • IN SCOTLAND

7th November 1975
Page 62
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Page 62, 7th November 1975 — • FIRST FOOTING • IN SCOTLAND
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THE 1975 Scottish Motor Show is the venue for the launching of several brand-new models, and also gives the visitor the chance to see many other vehicles released during the past year but making their first UK show appearance.

The brand-new exhibits include a range of 16-tonners from Seddon Atkinson, a new eight-wheeler under the revived name of Octopus, and a UK version of the Volkswagen LT, The 200 Series from Seddon Atkinson is a new range of four-wheel rigids for haulage and tipper operation at 16 tons gvw. The motive power is provided by a new-to-the-UK engine—the International D-358—which produces 100kW (134bhp) at 3,000 rpm. The engine is made at Neuss in West Germany. At 16 tons gross, this power output gives the 200 a power to weight ratio of around 6.1kW/tonne (8.4bhp/ton).

The cab, which shares many of the same pressings as that from the larger 400 Series announced earlier in the year, can be tilted to a maximum angle of 50 degrees for engine access. An Eaton five-speed constant-mesh gearbox is a standard feature in conjunction with a single-speed single-reduction rear axle, again from Eaton.

The big brother of the 200, the Seddon Atkinson 400, was announced in April of this year, so Kelvin Hall sees the show debut of this range. The specification in many ways follows on from earlier Atkinson and Seddon models in such details as the engine options which are available. Taking the top-weight artic as an example, Cummins, Gardner and Rolls-Royce power units are available, and although the " standard " gearbox is the Fuller Roadranger nine-speed unit, some transmission variation is again available.

The cab is the most noticeable departure from previous Atkinson and Seddon practice, being a home design put into the metal by Motor Panels Ltd of Coventry.

Reviving the well-known name of Octopus, the new eight-wheeler from Leyland's Truck and Bus Division is powered by another new version of the fixed head 500 Series engine. Known as the 502, the engine develops its maximum power of 153kW (205bhp) at 2,400 rpm with 1,400 rpm being the figure at which the maximum torque of 753Nm (5421bft) is delivered.

The two-spring bogie first used on the six-wheeled Bison is used on the Octopus with extra box flitching being provided within the main chassis frame at the bogiemounting position.

Two wheelbase options are available for the eight-wheeler at 5.8m and 6.4m (19ft and 21ft) respectively. Although the Leyland type numbers for the Octopus look confusing, they are in fact very logical. Taking the 6.4m wheelbase model 30T502 30LF2 as an example the key is as follows: 3—Mark 3, OT— Octopus, 502-502 engine, 30—gvw in tons, L—long wheelbase, F—Fuller gearbox, 2—two-spring suspension.

A few weeks ago Saviem launched the SM 36-280 on to the British market. Basically, the mechanical specification is the same as the existing 32-240 with the exception of the engine which is a turbocharged MAN 2156 unit which produces 181kW (242bhp) at 2,200rpm from 10.4 litres (631cuin). This engine is in fact the same one which is fitted to the lighter model with the addition of the turbocharger. With a standard cab the kerb weight of the 280 is just over the 6-ton mark for the standard wheelbase unit of 3.2m (10ft 61n.).

This particular Saviem is built exclusively for the UK and will augment but not replace the existing 32-240. The all-steel tilt cab has two tilt positions, 45° for normal servicing and 60' for major repairs. The new truck re tains the steering column gearchange from the 240 for the ZF 12-speed box.

One of the big events of the year in the commercial vehicle world was the release of the first top-weight truck from Ford—the Transcontinental. Technically, this is an amalgam of already proven units from all over the world with about the only major component of Ford manufacture being the chassis frame. Various engines from Cummins make up the power unit range while the gearboxes are from Fuller and the rear axles are from Rockwell. To reduce transmission losses a single-reduction rear axle design has been specified although this has meant using a crownwheel of nearly 20in in diameter.

The cab is built by Berliet at Lyons and is available only in sleeper-cab size although the bunks can be deleted if requi red.

Models from the Volkswagen LT light truck range are to be phased into the UK market over the next few months. Chassiscab and integral versions will be available. The three basic models, the LT28, the LT31 and the LT35, have nominal payload capacities of 1,524kg (30cwt), 1,778kg (35cwt) and 2 tonnes respectively. At the moment all the models are powered by a front-mounted, water-cooled petrol engine designed to operate on low octane, two-star fuel. A Perkins diesel engine option will be available, across the board, from early next year.

The engine drives a live rear axle via a conventional single-plate clutch and fourspeed synchromesh gearbox. Independent coil-spring suspension is specified at the front and leaf springs at the rear.

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Locations: Coventry

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