SURE AS THE SUNRISE TWO PART

Although Albion still ruled the roost in Scotland, it was a medium-size player compared to most of its British competitors. It lacked the financial muscle of a volume producer and was being squeezed in many of its key sectors. The board accepted the inevitable and sold out to Leyland in 1951.

Ironically, the move heralded the beginning of one of Albion’s most successful eras. Leyland wisely decided to let Scotstoun continue to make lorries wearing the Albion name, and the next few years would be some of the most profitable in the company’s history.

Key to this success was Albion’s latest generation of lorries. The company had decided to introduce a new range of medium weight goods vehicles in 1947 and in an inspired move, asked its employees to come up with some generic names. The result was the Chieftain, Clansman, Claymore and Clydesdale, some of the most important