Old Irish Trucking

[Jager]

Love the Berliet truck Jerry....its got 'racing transporter' written all over it. Looking through my transporter pics, I was thinking this might be another option with some poetic licence and/or rework of the grill.

[oldirish33]

Yes, there are many possibilities! It's a great base to start with!

[oldirish33]

More Ferrari!: I came across a couple of Ferrari trailers and the small transporter offered by an Italian seller that have been converted from IXO and Altaya truck and trailer models, with one exception. That is an Old Cars transporter trailer that has lost its tractor at some point. At $20 it was too good to pass up and helped even out the shipping costs.

Fiat 690 TI tractor - IXO and Canvas top trailer - Altaya or IXO: I had the IXO Fiat 690 tractor and felt it would make a good match in the Ferrari livery I applied, with the right trailer. When I found this trailer, I thought it would be a good match. It was also about $20. My plan is to make it into a N.A.R.T. transporter when I get the chance.



The 690 was the first heavy Italian truck designed and capable of long-hauls. It was produced from 1960-1973 and used Fiat's 203A/61 6-cylinder diesel engine of 11.5L, it has a maximum power output of 180 hp. With its 6X2X2 axle and drivetrain specification, the truck was capable of a maximum 44 ton payload. Canvas topped semi-trailers were popular (especially in the USA) in the 50's and early 60's for their versatility in hauling different types of payloads with and without the top on. I envision this as a truck Ferrari would use for ferrying production cars to port, hauling components to the factory. Denis Jenks once wrote an article about race transporters in the 50's and 60's and explained how Ferrari pressed their other trucks into service when the race demands outstripped the ability of their Bartoletti transporters to transport the factory cars to various F1 and sports car races.



Fiat 682 Biscara - IXO and Altaya: This Ferrari transporter is representative of the late 60's early 70's Ferrari transporters which could haul three cars, equipment and crew. The seller has skilfully grafted a IXO Fiat cap to the repainted chassis of the Altaya Pegaso car transporter. I have started doing some 'weathering' detail to the car decks and ramps. I intend to build a box for the forward lower deck over the winter to make it more like the transporters Ferrari and other teams used.



Built over a 36 year (1952-1988) period, the 682 was part of Fiat's range of heavy trucks and could haul loads from 14 to 40 tons, depending on configuration. All 682's were powered by the big Fiat 602 six-cylinder diesel engine, which was noted for its maximum torque at low RPM's. Rugged and durable, the 682 model was used in a variety of configurations depending on the loads to be hauled. The famous Ferrari Bartoletti race transporter is based on Fiat 682 mechanicals.

Ferrari Transporter Trailer - Old Cars: Nothing new about this trailer. The older Fiat 690 has been pressed into service here, but I intend to find a more suitable tractor to match its late 70's livery.

[LUW]

Nice ones, specially the 682.
But on the 690, would there be such a big Shell emblem on the trailer? For the 60's I wouldn't expect to see anything else but the cavallino.

[oldirish33]

Maybe. They had sponsor advertising on their other transporters in period. It will likely come off when I redo it into a NART vehicle anyway.

[Tom]

Very cool transporters!

[Jager]

Great additions Jerry and they are set off very well by the matching cars.

One small observation is that the ‘Old Cars’ trailer is probably 2000’s rather than 1970’s judging by the enclosed wheels. Even up until the 90’s most of the transporter trailers had open wheels.

[oldirish33]

Great additions Jerry and they are set off very well by the matching cars.

One small observation is that the ‘Old Cars’ trailer is probably 2000’s rather than 1970’s judging by the enclosed wheels. Even up until the 90’s most of the transporter trailers had open wheels.

Thanks, going by memory which is getting leakier! It will go well then with 2000 vintage tractor I just bought.

[JSB33]

That axle configuration on the 690 looks very odd to me, I wonder how it worked? Was it a a 4 wheel, 2 axle steer?

[oldirish33]

That axle configuration on the 690 looks very odd to me, I wonder how it worked? Was it a a 4 wheel, 2 axle steer?

Yes, exactly. Not very common in the US, but in Europe, UK and other places where roads were generally narrower and increased turning and maneuverability was required, the 6 x 2 arrangement for a three axle trailer was common. It also helped meet the per axle weight requirement in many countries. Some but not all allowed the second steering axle to be raised when not needed. A second steering axle here is still not common, but a lifting rear axle in front or behind the driving rear axle on a semi-tractor is very common.

Remember, that 690 probably didnt have power assist steering either. Better than a day in the gym!

[oldirish33]

On to Le Mans: One benefit to self-imposed isolation and now a shelter in place order is that I have spent more time in the workshop lately. This has allowed me to crank out some projects, the Ford Thames ET6 flatbed transport vehicle for the Ted Lund entered MGA Twin-Cam at Le Mans in 1960 being one of them.



I worked from a couple of faded color shots and dark black and white images from a book, as well as some period photos of other Thames trucks to make this piece. This allowed me as best as currently possible to add what I could make out as items hauled to Le Mans on the truck, as well as using photos of period trucks for things like the wood bed.



I assembled this truck using the IXO Thames as a base. It came as a British Railways sided flatbed with load of cement bags. It required cutting down the sides and disassembly for painting the cab and bed. I used pieces of balsa strip to make the bed floor and ramps. I can clearly see in the photos of the real truck the jack, and stack of spare tires (still need to make some hold downs) and what looks to be a large wood box along with a couple crates with fuel jug and spares? There needs to be a sign on the roof (doors?) with the haulage company name, but I don't have a clear image yet of what it looks like. These things are never really done!





Stay healthy!

[Tom]

That turned out nicely Jerry, great job!

[Alfaholic]

Fantastic piece of work Jerry.

[Jager]

Nice way to complement the MG Jerry.

There are some advantages to this 'self isolation' at the moment so looking forward to seeing a steady stream of new projects from you.

[JSB33]

With that chain that MG is not going anywhere!

[Alex_W]

Nice job.

[oldirish33]

With that chain that MG is not going anywhere!

I will probably replace with smaller chain when I get a chance to go to the hobby store again rather than this `logging` chain. My wife frowned on me using some of her jewelry chain for this. However, it is how we tied down tractors and MG's are pretty agricultural.