Heritage Commercials Magazine - capturing the spirit of vintage days

Comment - August 2010

However, there were votes for loads of different vehicles, from the 1950s through to the 80s, and although some people just sent in their choices on the back of an envelope, others sent in some cracking letters and emails explaining why they liked or loathed a certain lorry. So I’m pleased that I can finally start printing a few of these letters as they really do make excellent reading.

Now although the voting made the Super Comet the clear winner, the result for your least favourite vehicle is not clear cut. We must remember that this poll is certainly not scientific and obviously what may stand out in a driver’s mind as their worst vehicle could entirely be down to how a single example has been used and looked after etc. I’m sure if you had a bad experience in a clapped out Super Comet you’d not class it as the best lorry you ever had! So having said that, what’s the lorry you were least happy driving? Well it’s a tie between the Thames Trader and the BMC/Leyland FG.

Now I’ve never had anything to do with the Thames Trader, but I must admit I’ve always liked the old ‘threpnee bit’ Leyland. When I was a kid I lived not far from a Sunblest bakery and they had a fleet of these little lorries, all painted bright yellow with a smiling sun logo on the side, and the sight of an FG today always brings back childhood memories of lorry spotting on my way to school. And so I’ve decided that my next project will be an FG! This decision may also have something to do with my odd habit of always backing the underdog!

I must admit I almost bought an FG many years ago. I was at a car auction when a battleship grey dropside appeared on the rostrum and I was very tempted. If I remember correctly it only made £90 but I didn’t bid because I was interested in one of several ex-Electricity Board Mini vans that were coming up. It turned out that they were well out of my price range so I ended up with nothing! And I’ve regretted not buying that FG to this day – but hopefully I’ll soon have one sat on my drive.

Stephen Pullen
Editor