The second most common model after the van is
the cab-chassis. Becoming hard to obtain in good condition recently as
most have led a hard life as commercial vehicles and a lot had flat
trays fitted which led to overloading. Actually have a higher roofline
than the vans/buses which seems to enhance the styling.
From Street machine
magazine Oct '83 is a truck modified by Tony Jones. Features a 4"
chopped cab with a new longer chassis and a mid-mounted hemi. Was in a
lot of magazines and at car shows around this time.
Recently I heard that is
was featured in an American car magazine as being discovered derelict
in the bushes behind a house that had just been purchased. The new
home owners were going to restore the Thames to as above condition,
but without seeing the article myself I can't say if this is accurate.
The poster is laminated and fixed to my display boards and at 4 x A4
is a bit hard to get on my scanner.
UPDATE 04/04/03 Seen a couple of years ago at a
car show in Cornwall UK. Hope to have some photos shortly if the truck
can be tracked down.
Peter Swale from Western
Australia owns this cab-chassis which has been fitted with a Leyland
aluminium V8, gearbox and diff. The cab has been modified to a tilt
cab for easy motor access.
Unfortunately the truck was
seriously damaged in a collision so Peter has located another good cab
and is rebuilding. In the meantime he has found another original truck
which he is using for daily transport.
Update 19/01/03 Peter has
recently repainted the original truck in red and
white.
The two-tone paintwork
really emphasizes the Thames styling which was far superior to
anything else available at the time.
Bruce Bowmer from Brisbane
Australia (Brian's Dad) is restoring this cab-chassis. Brian has
helped with rust repairs and the truck always generates lots of
interest at car shows.
Bruce's truck in
as-discovered condition a couple of years ago. Fairly typical of the
condition that any remaining trucks are in unless they've been garaged
or well looked after.
My 1963 cab-chassis. Fairly
original apart from wheels and paint. Designed and built the tray
myself making it fairly substantial to stop any chassis
twist.
Paint was changed to this
green recently which is a bit brighter than what I wanted but easy to
find in carparks. The toolbox photo is the previous colour (dark
grey).
Peter Swale has recently
returned from a trip to New Zealand and has supplied photos of some NZ
Thames. This truck is owned by Neville Taylor Engineering and is
fitted with a tilting tray.
The truck is powered by a
late model motor and shows a high standard of engineering
throughout.
Another thames in
New Zealand is this 1964 original cab-chassis owned and operated by
Opzeeland Transport
The truck is in
excellent condition for a vehicle almost 40 years old. More of Peter's
NZ photos are to come shortly.
