The early 1970s found British manufacturers in positive mood. Membership of the European Union, or the ‘Common Market’, promised new opportunities to expand sales and to compete on a level playing field with European manufacturers. While UK manufacturers had historically exported to a worldwide market they began focusing their attention more towards Europe. ‘European’ became a buzzword – nearly all the leading British manufacturers began developing ‘European’ heavies including some who had traditionally only built medium weight lorries such as Ford and Bedford.
Of course, differences in gross weight legislation made life somewhat difficult
