Reliability

Sir,

After reading the letters in your magazine on “British Workmanship,” you might like to hear of my vehicle’s progress since I got it.

Age: just over 13 months. Mileage : 108,047. Until docked this month it has needed: One tyre and tube (some idiot left a broken bottle in the road). One headlamp bulb. One rear-light assembly (which I smashed). 

During docking all the hubs, drums and brakes were removed and inspected, the differential and gearbox removed for inspection (replaced afterwards with only gaskets and oil-seals renewed), the clutch adjusted, and the engine given a top overhaul, oil change and fuel system check. The doors were removed, the window-winders cleaned and the doors rehung.

The only spares used, apart from gaskets and oil seals were : About 12 clevis pins in the brake system. Lock-washers where necessary. A fork-end on the clutch rod. A speedo cable (this apparently was broken when a mechanic (?) trod on it). New brushes in starter and dynamo.

The make of vehicle—a Leyland “Beaver” articulated lorry. At least we can make trucks, even if we can’t make cars !

I must admit though there is a little difference between the “purr” of a Sprite, TR, Consul, etc., and the growl of my diesel, and it possibly hasn’t the acceleration of a car (I’ve had 52 mph out of it on the Maidstone By-pass) but I’m quite happy with the “old girl” !

I am, Yours, etc,

“Tom the trucker.”  London, SW12.