Prior to this new introduction, their load carrier range ended with the ‘Costcutter’ which was only specified by Ford as a five tonner, although the Sussex six wheeler had been around for a few years, it didn’t really compete head on with the other mass produced British vehicles.
Ford was entering the four wheeler big league!
It seems a strange world when looking back today to realise that manufacturers designated design maximum gross weights were taken by many hauliers as a guide only, and totally ignored by other operators completely. Of course, any such overloading of a makers’ vehicles would automatically void the guarantee the manufacturer had originally offered with the sale. That said, a hard pressed haulier who was working on low rates, which they normally were, was much more interested in carrying that extra ton or two, and making his next HP payment on time.
A good owner driver would nurse his motor at all times of course, even though he asked more of his mount than he should, potholes would be avoided like the plague, and if he should inadvertently hit one then feel the pain of the chassis, and springs just as if he was being kicked personally, later with clenched teeth he would look for damage, spring leaves, and chassis rails he would inspect closely, not wanting to see what he might very well spot hardly daring to look, but knowing he must. He would let his motor climb the hills, easing his right foot just that little bit, and not rushing to get into the next highest gear, better let the old girl have it easy, not pushing her on, and get to the top of the bank without that temperature gauge going north. Head out of the driver’s window, listening for knocks, or clicks which would mean a tooth in the gearbox had parted company with its gearwheel or worse, easing off a bit if she was struggling and ‘blacking’ until the exhaust was a bit clearer. Really it
