Ford D-series
Encyclopedia
The Ford D-Series was a range of middle weight trucks introduced by Ford of Britain
in 1965. It replaced the Thames Trader
and appears to have been envisaged as a more modern competitor to the Bedford TK
produced by General Motors
' UK truck subsidiary.
In 1965 the range covered rigid trucks with gross weights from 5.2 to 12.75 British tons
, and tippers from 10.8 to 12.75 tons
. Higher gross weights became available with the subsequent introduction of versions featuring twin rear axles and articulated models were also quickly added to the range.
Three new diesel engines were developed for the trucks, respectively of 3.97 litres, 5.42 litres and 5.95 litres cylinder capacity. The smallest unit was of four cylinders while the larger engines employed six cylinders. Claimed power ranged from 82.5 bhp to 128 bhp. Possibly with an eye to export markets outside Europe, petrol engined versions with power outputs of 129 bhp and 149 bhp were also offered.
As on the class defining Bedford TK
and on various US built heavy trucks of the time, the cabin was a flat fronted forward control unit positioned above the engine. Engine access was achieved by tilting the entire cab forwards: the hinge at the front employed a torsion-bar counter balancing system which according to commentators made tilting the cab to access the engine "almost a one-hand job". The engines were installed at an angle of 45 degrees from the vertical which was intended to enable the cab interior to feature a virtually flat floor without the cab itself becoming excessively tall.
April 1967 saw the range expanded upwards with the arrival of the Phase II D1000 series, designed for operation up to a weight of 28 tons
gross, and at that time the largest trucks ever produced by Ford of Britain. The D1000s were powered by Cummins produced V8 diesel engines of 7.7 litres displacement.
In 1981 the range was replaced by the Ford Cargo
.
Ford of Britain
Ford of Britain is a British wholly owned subsidiary of Ford of Europe, a subsidiary of Ford Motor Company. Its business started in 1909 and has its registered office in Brentwood, Essex...
in 1965. It replaced the Thames Trader
Thames Trader
The Thames Trader was a range of trucks manufactured by the British arm of the Ford Motor Company built between 1957 and 1965.-Design:The distinctive cab design, which sets it apart from other British commercial vehicles, was a forward-control design and the Thames Trader model covered a much...
and appears to have been envisaged as a more modern competitor to the Bedford TK
Bedford TK
The Bedford TK is a truck that was produced by the Vauxhall Motors-owned Bedford Vehicles company.-History and use:The TK range replaced the S type in 1959, and served as the basis for a variety of derivatives, including fire engines, military, horse boxes, tippers, flatbed trucks, and other...
produced by General Motors
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
' UK truck subsidiary.
In 1965 the range covered rigid trucks with gross weights from 5.2 to 12.75 British tons
Long ton
Long ton is the name for the unit called the "ton" in the avoirdupois or Imperial system of measurements, as used in the United Kingdom and several other Commonwealth countries. It has been mostly replaced by the tonne, and in the United States by the short ton...
, and tippers from 10.8 to 12.75 tons
Long ton
Long ton is the name for the unit called the "ton" in the avoirdupois or Imperial system of measurements, as used in the United Kingdom and several other Commonwealth countries. It has been mostly replaced by the tonne, and in the United States by the short ton...
. Higher gross weights became available with the subsequent introduction of versions featuring twin rear axles and articulated models were also quickly added to the range.
Three new diesel engines were developed for the trucks, respectively of 3.97 litres, 5.42 litres and 5.95 litres cylinder capacity. The smallest unit was of four cylinders while the larger engines employed six cylinders. Claimed power ranged from 82.5 bhp to 128 bhp. Possibly with an eye to export markets outside Europe, petrol engined versions with power outputs of 129 bhp and 149 bhp were also offered.
As on the class defining Bedford TK
Bedford TK
The Bedford TK is a truck that was produced by the Vauxhall Motors-owned Bedford Vehicles company.-History and use:The TK range replaced the S type in 1959, and served as the basis for a variety of derivatives, including fire engines, military, horse boxes, tippers, flatbed trucks, and other...
and on various US built heavy trucks of the time, the cabin was a flat fronted forward control unit positioned above the engine. Engine access was achieved by tilting the entire cab forwards: the hinge at the front employed a torsion-bar counter balancing system which according to commentators made tilting the cab to access the engine "almost a one-hand job". The engines were installed at an angle of 45 degrees from the vertical which was intended to enable the cab interior to feature a virtually flat floor without the cab itself becoming excessively tall.
April 1967 saw the range expanded upwards with the arrival of the Phase II D1000 series, designed for operation up to a weight of 28 tons
Long ton
Long ton is the name for the unit called the "ton" in the avoirdupois or Imperial system of measurements, as used in the United Kingdom and several other Commonwealth countries. It has been mostly replaced by the tonne, and in the United States by the short ton...
gross, and at that time the largest trucks ever produced by Ford of Britain. The D1000s were powered by Cummins produced V8 diesel engines of 7.7 litres displacement.
In 1981 the range was replaced by the Ford Cargo
Ford Cargo
The Ford Cargo is a cab-over-engine lightweight truck model formerly manufactured by Ford. It was originally launched in 1981 by Ford of the United Kingdom....
.