Austin Loadstar II

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

Wasn't the 4x4 K series a K9? Or am I dreaming again?

The WF has a Streamline cab, as also fitted to Thames, Morris, Dodge, etc.

The shorter truck is therefore a K2 Series II Loadstar. This of course replaced the orginal and familiar bonneted K2.

[Richard Farrant]

Originally Posted by David_Hayward

Wasn't the 4x4 K series a K9? Or am I dreaming again?

The WF has a Streamline cab, as also fitted to Thames, Morris, Dodge, etc.

David,

Yes the postwar 4x4 was a K9, there was a 3 ton 4x4 built during the war, which was a K5.

The WF cab was only used on Austin and Morris lorries, in later years badged as Leyland, with a one piece windscreen.

I think the Thames and Dodges you are thinking about had a cab made by Briggs, not at all like an Austin.

[David_Hayward (RIP)]

I know what you mean Richard...but the cab in the pic (see left hand one below) is an Airflow Streamlines Ltd cab, and not a Briggs Motor Bodies Ltd one. After Ford acquired Briggs of Dagenham in 1854 they were allowed to complete existing contracts, hence a run-down of supplies to Dodge, Leyland, Guy, and eventually a phasing-out of the Thames ET6/7 one as well. The alternative taken-up was by Airflow, and also fitted to, as here, Morris-Commercials as well as Austin trucks, Thames, Dodge, Commer..

The Fordson Thames was replaced as we know by the Thames Trader in 1957, and the cabs were built by Briggs at Southampton. When the normal-control version was introduced around 1962, the cabs were buiolt by Pressed Steel Co Ltd.