CG #9 - Tilling-Stevens petrol-electric truck chassis

[Craig Gillingham]

I'm not sure if this is going to be too easy, or too hard.

For 1 point, just name the manufacturer of this truck.

[Manuel]

Interesting set up. Probably quite advanced for its time...

Manuel in Oz

[Craig Gillingham]

The drive train is the way to identify what it is. There were a few of these in Australia, once.

[Craig Gillingham]

Up to Expert level.

[RayTheRat]

It resembles a British Albion.  Close?

RtR

[Craig Gillingham]

Sort of close. It's British, but not an Albion.

[RayTheRat]

My knowledge of British lorries is far from complete, but how about a Leyland?

RtR

[Craig Gillingham]

Not a Leyland (although a good guess). This truck would have been just as popular as either an Albion or Leyland in the 20's, so you're heading in the right direction. I'd say more of these chassis were made into buses than trucks, which may help.

[RayTheRat]

Hmmm...a couple of choices here.  I'll go with Daimler.

[Craig Gillingham]

No, sorry, not a Daimler.

[RayTheRat]

Well, let's try the other.  If that doesn't do it, then I'm outta bullets:  LGOC.

RtR

[Craig Gillingham]

Not LGOC, but you're very close. The drive train is the key to the solution.

[RayTheRat]

Chain gearbox?  How about AEC, then?

[Craig Gillingham]

I hate to say it..... but no, not an AEC. There isn't a gearbox used on this chassis.

[RayTheRat]

Why do I keep beating my head on this?  Glutton for punishment, I spose. 

Ok.  No transmission.  What could take its place?  Dynamo (generator?)  That would make it (in today's terms) a "hybrid."  Didn't use that term "back in the day."  Ok, "Gas-Electric."  Found several of those.  Mostly in the US.  But this one has RHD.  Hmmm.  Where to look?  I've exhausted my reference library, so I'm tryin to wear out Google. 

brb when/if I find something.

RtR

[Craig Gillingham]

Very much on the right track now, I'll LOCK it for you, as you've named it as a petrol-electric (gas-electric), and that's the significant part of this truck.

[RayTheRat]

Thank you.  I'll get back to you asap.

RtR

[RayTheRat]

I keep coming up with Tilling-Stevens who built their first petrol-electric vehicle in 1906.

RtR

[Craig Gillingham]

Exactly correct, well done. 1 point for you.

[RayTheRat]

Whew! (wipes forehead.)  Thanks for encouraging me to keep going.  I would have given up if not for that.  I sure learned a lot about British lorries and buses, though. 

RtR

[Tom_I]

Here's a similar drawing, with annotations, of a later six-wheeled chassis, from a motoring encyclopedia published in the early 1930s.