1964 Thames Trader 4x4

[snowtracdave]

Just seen this advertised for sale on Milweb . Can't say I recall having seen one before . Must be a pretty rare survivor .

Edited August 14, 2008 by Marmite!!
Photo removed, Milweb Copyright

[N.O.S.]

A Suffolk agricultural contractor had several short wheelbase 6x6 Trader tippers, wouldn't be surprised if one still survives in the back of the shed!

[Richard Farrant]

The 4x4 Trader in the advert could be an "All Wheel Drive" conversion, there is a similar one in preservation in East Kent. Do not recollect the British Army ever having them though, unless it was trialled.

[snowtracdave]

That was my thought - had a quick consult of the books & could find no reference to one in service & no personal recollection of ever having seen a military one before.

[Tony B]

Is that the one with the rounded front down from windscreen and the liitle flat snout sticking out from the top of the round? There were a number of Lime spreaders built on that chassis.Were they part off or became part of Ford? AWD and County did a number of 4x4 conversions on Fords including Transits. The 4x4 Transit was used by DERA as trails support vehicles.

[Richard Farrant]

Were they part off or became part of Ford?

 

Thames was Ford, it was just a name given to their British made commercial range, earlier they used the Fordson name.

[Tony B]

Front similar to the Sumb? Always liked those, as a kid had a big plastic toy one. left it to close to the fire. :noyay:

[N.O.S.]

I can't lay my hands on it yet, but I'm certain there was a story about this very truck , mentioning its use as an army prototype/demonstrator, in one of the vintage commercial vehicle mags a few years back :confused:

[Richard Farrant]

I can't lay my hands on it yet, but I'm certain there was a story about this very truck , mentioning its use as an army prototype/demonstrator, in one of the vintage commercial vehicle mags a few years back :confused:

 

Hi Tony,

 

Not seen that article, but just had a quick look at Bart's book on postwar military vehicles and he does remark about Ford/AWD conversions being made for military market for export. There is a Trader 75 /AWD 3 ton truck shown in service with South African forces, apparntly also used by Egypt and Indonesia.

[woa2]

The 4x4 Trader in the advert could be an "All Wheel Drive" conversion, there is a similar one in preservation in East Kent. Do not recollect the British Army ever having them though, unless it was trialled.

I have seen a photo of one of these in 'The Illustrated History of Ford Trucks, Vans and PSVs' and it seems to be a prototype by AWD for trial. Looks very much like a Bedford RL rival.

[chambers101]

I have seen a 6x6 version on some old video tapes at off roading events around late 80's early 90's.