Early in January 2006 I achieved another of my childhood dreams when I finalised the details to purchase my first ever truck. A former fairground Foden S83 second edition purchased from local showmen the Barker family was delivered on one very rainy day in February. A long wheelbase, double drive Gardner 180 engined beastie (for all you enthusiasts out there) this is not going to be an easy task to accomplish. As a relative newcomer to the field of vehicle restoration this is likely to be a lengthy process but the major step of acquiring the vehicle is now complete. Having taken my heavy goods vehicle driving test on a modern vehicle the transition to a truck four years older than me, with crash gearbox was nothing if not tuneful. However double-declutching has now been grasped and progress is steady.

The vehicle has been in fairground use longer than it was in haulage, the body was fitted at the start of this time replacing the former flatbed from its haulage days. With this in mind the idea is to restore the vehicle but to keep it in it’s fairground guise, complete with belly boxes etc. It will then be sprayed and liveried to match the vehicles on the model circus. The interior will be transformed to provide living accommodation whilst attending steam rallies but without altering the overall appearance of the truck.

Hopefully I will update this page as and when work moves along and photo’s of progress are available so check back and see how it’s going. Also if anyone reading this knows anything of the history of this vehicle please get in contact as any information would be greatly recieved.

paul@pjtandyscircus.co.uk