32901 Southdown Short Dropside
The Ford Thames Trader was introduced in 1957 replacing the earlier ET range that had been in production since 1949.
The Thames Trader's semi-forward control and unique bonnet design grave it a very distinctive appearance compared with other trucks of this era.
The Trader range catered for loads from 1.5 to 7 tons and a simple range designation system was adopted: 15 for the lightest (1.5 ton) model, going up through the 20 (2 ton), 30 (3 ton) and 40 (4 ton). The largest rigid four wheeler was the 7 ton 70 which was intended as a rival to Bedford's S type.
The Thames Trader was also produced as an articulated tractor unit and was even used the as basis for a bus chassis. The lighter Traders were available with petrol or diesel engines while a 5.41 litre six cylinder diesel was standard on the larger 70.
Production of what became a highly successful range for Ford ended in 1965 following the introduction of the D series.
Much of the information above was sourced from the excellent National Transport Museum of Ireland website.
THE EFE MODELS
The first Thames Trader truck a short wheelbase Tipper were released in May 2007.
It is expected that this cab will be combined with not only the new short tipper & dropside bodies but also many of the existing range of body and chassis types used on the other truck models in the range.
32801 WF Button & Sons Short Tipper