A Scania LB141 photographed at the Denekamp border crossing. The 112/142 series are already some years on the market. Nevertheless the 141 can be seen on regular bases on European roads. No wonder, it’s driveline is not that much different compared with the new ones. The 375 horses are very capable and in those days rather luxurious running it for a reefer. This example is a good looking Danish example. It’s one of the last being built, the rear windows of the cab are closed, a feature introduced in the last years the LB was built. Styling is truly Danish with it’s multiple colored cab.

Again a shot made in the mid eighties of the previous century. A 330 hp turbo charged V-eight is powering this Mercedes “Grossraum” drawbar combination. Mercedes left it’s basic principle of natural aspired big block engines. Turbo charging and intercooling were introduced to keep up with the competition. The flagship was the 375 horse version. In the following years the output was steadily upgraded. No problem the big V-eight had plenty potential. This actual combination was owned by Heijnen Transport. It ‘s wearing the livery of a major customer: Page toilet paper.

Another specialty of the previous century: the topsleeper. To be able to offer between 100 and 120 m3 loading space several manufacturers introduced topsleepers ex -works. DAF was an example, it was capable of offering it on the entire range of middle and heavy weights. Mercedes didn’t act immediately, it’s user had to order the topsleeper somewhere else. I don’t know the manufacturer of this version, maybe one of you visitors can tell. When Mercedes finally brought it ex-works it was to late. The EC came with new legations, the topsleeper died a sudden death.

An early Scania R112 intercooler. In 1984 Scania decide to go for it. The cab front was slightly modified to adapt the extra radiator. The original front was entirely flat. The original engine output was 305 hp in the non intercooled version, the new one was offering 333 hp. The extra power was not that big, the increase in torque however was much bigger. The 142 gained a lot more it went form 388 to 420 horse. Scania settled it’s reputation with the 141 and the intercooled 142 as “KING OF THE ROAD”. This unit was owned by Holwerda, a non existing anymore Dutch transport company located in Drachten.

A Belgian van Hool built 4 axled dry bulk tanker hooked to a Renault R series. The unit is owned by Hannink Winterswijk. Hannink was taken over and integrated in HFS logistics. Several years ago HSF sold it’s dry bulk activities to De Rijke Transport and went on with only reefers. The reefer activities were something Hannink also did. This shot was made at the premisses in Winterswijk on a Saturday. All trucks got service and were cleaned for a new work week. The Hannink fleet was split in Renault and DAF. A pity this traditional company didn’t survive as an independent company.

Old timer truck runs are getting really popular. This very nicely restored DAF was photographed during a run in summer 2009 nearby Veenendaal. The DAF is a typical rigid of the sixties and seventies of the previous age. It was powered by 5,75 of 6,15 liter 6-inline manufactured by DAF self. The bigger trucks still had a Leyland DP680 block. Later on DAF started to built it’s own version better known as the DKA 1160. The top version on this engine was 250 hp. The last version however offered 304 hp, just enough for the 8 hp/ton limit to be able to run at 38 ton gross weight.

Another beautiful oldie this time a Swedish Scania sleeper cab 6 x 2 truck. It’s cab is a local built unit, Scania only made the bonnet. The bonnet is an early version with ventilation slots on both sides. The truck was photographed in August 2009 during a Scandinavian old timer truck run. Obviously the truck was used for long distance transport, mark the double fuel tanks! Winter conditions are harsh with only a little daylight. The owner mounted extra headlights for a better view. Livery and bodywork are traditional Swedish, a truly superb oldie!

Switzerland had very different road transport legations. Many years the maximum weight was 28 ton and on several roads only 230 cm wide trucks were accepted. This picture is showing a narrow Swiss version of the Volvo F7 series. Another Swiss specialty is the cab modification. It was done to be able to  load extra long steel profiles. Even today operators opt for this precious modification. This picture was shot in 1982 nearby Martigny in Wallis.

A beautiful German Magirus Deutz 4 x 4 tipper. Magirus was the absolute number one when it concerned tipper chassis. The bonneted trucks were introduced in the fifties of the previous century. At first the bonnet was a round version. Problems with it all wheel drive trucks forced Magirus to redesign it with this form as final result. This picture was shot at a “Kippertreff” in a quarry nearby Bottrop Kirchhellen in Autumn 2009. Dozen of oldies came together and showed their often stunning capabilities. Keep in mind the majority was more then 50 years old already!

This super Scania LS63 is owned by heavy haulage operator Brouwer from Nieuwegein Holland. The Scania is powered by and 8,5 liter 6-inline rated at 133 hp. Empty weight is 5.945 kg, kingpin load about 5.000 kg. The rig was built in 1950 in Södertalje Sweden. The owner spent a lot of time and money to get it back to it’s original state. The Scania was on display at the 2009 edition of the Truckstar Festival in Assen Holland. Hopefully the owner finds a matching semi, a job often more difficult then the actual tractor!