British and European Trucks of the 1970s - Those Were The Days...

The 1970s witnessed more changes to the trucking industry in Europe than any previous decade. Whilst European truck builders had been developing powerful vehicles capable of operating at between 35 to 38 tonnes gross vehicle weight (CVW), and equipped with comfortable sleeper cabs for long haul international journeys, in the UK the truck builders were playing catch up.

The 70s witnessed a number of amalgamations, mergers and take-overs that would change the face of the pan-European trucking industry. It saw the birth of the infamous British Leyland empire, which was to have far-reaching and disastrous consequences for all the manufacturers it engulfed. In the face of booming sales of European heavyweights, both Ford and Bedford launched heavyweight models aimed at this key sector, but like most other British truck manufacturers, it was too little, too late ...

A unique account of a turbulent period in trucking history.

About the Author

Colin Peck worked throughout the 1970s in the road transport industry, both in transport management and as a freelance correspondent to trucking magazines in the UK, the US, and around the world.

He co-authored Trucks of the World Highways and Off-Highway & Construction Trucks, and more recently wrote a comprehensive profile of DAF Trucks since 1949 — the first in the Veloce Truckmakers series. 

As a successful public relations practitioner, Colin today handles the press and PR for one of the world's largest independent truck rental and contract hire firms, and so is able to bring a wide range of experience and professionalism to this new book.