Ford’s D-Series range of forwardcontrol lorries was launched in 1965, to try and claw back market share from the Bedford TK. It catered for loads from 2tons to 18 tons and including SWB tractor units for semitrailers. Alot was riding on it being successful, as the American parent company decreed that if it wasn’t, then Ford of Britain would withdraw from the commercial vehicle market. Fortunately,itwas. Initially,2to8-ton payload versions were released, with the load capacity indicated by the number after the letter D, so aD200was a2-tonner, aD300 a3-tonneretc. The next phase was for trucks from
