CS Ellis Heritage Fleet – Foden R Type

After appearing at the Earls Court Exhibition in 1960 in the livery of Beresford Transport of Tunstall, this vehicle was bought and registered to A&H Davey Roadways. It then ran for a number of years on contract to Royal Venton China. It was then bought by an owner/driver in Middlewich who sold it to Mr. Harbridge, a farmer in East Sussex who ran it until 1980. It was purchased by Phil Comber, also of East Sussex, who operated it within his haulage fleet.

In 1986, Phil sold his fleet but kept the 999 NVT as it had proved to be his most reliable vehicle. It had deteriorated somewhat, so over the next few years it was refurbished by Phil, who then sold it after a period of rallying to the US in 2009. Recent restoration has brought “the Prince” to its present condition

First registered on the 1st of February 1934, this is an excellent example of an early British diesel truck fitted with what was to be an engine ubiquitous to commercial vehicle manufacturers, the Gardner 6LW. One of a very low production run, this vehicle retains much of its original mechanics and cab. Not many vehicles in the world of restoration can boast of being preserved rather than restored, a far more desirable aspect on the commercial vehicle scene.

The R type was in effect a dieselised lorry coming out of the Speed Six steam vehicle, which straddled the 1920`s decade into the 30`s. The chassis is a modified version of the steam vehicle and retains many of its characteristics, including the cab

Supplied new to S Stokes and Sons Ltd., Preston, Lancashire, this vehicle was one of only a few supplied during WW2. It appeared in Commercial Motor Magazine in 1943. The original driver was a Mr. Dan Pickup who earned £4-8s-0d per week. At an unknown date, it was purchased by Phillip Prestner, a haulage contractor from Moore, Nr. Warrington. It was then passed on to a showman from Salford who put a Luton van body on it to carry his stall. Bought in derelict condition in 1974, it was restored by Bill Geldeard from Chester, who rallied in 1975.

In 1976 it was sold to John Ship from Tytherington, who passed it on to H E Payne of Wyboston, Bedfordshire, who in 2009 sold it to us. We have now completed the restoration.

RL10839 has seen service with multiple fire brigades including Gloucester, Liverpool and Tyne & Wear. It attended the Torry Canyon Distaster in 1967 one of the world’s most serious oil spills