1929 Scammell Six Wheeler Tractor Unit

Description

From a large private collection; thought to have originally been built for the South African market but never actually exported from the UK; very rare machine believeved to be the test bed for the Pioneers with the famous walking beam rear suspension

An exceptionally rare survivor from the early days of Scammell's heavy haulage vehicles, this 1929 Scammell Six-Wheeler Tractor Unit, registration DS 8883, is a particularly fascinating piece of British commercial vehicle history.

Still powered by its original 7,200cc four-cylinder Scammell petrol engine, it is understood to be one of the earliest surviving six-wheeled Scammells.

The history of DS 8883 has been the subject of considerable research over the years. Research undertaken by the Scammell Owners & Enthusiasts Club in 1990 recorded that the vehicle was known to the club for many years and was believed to be one of a batch of Colonial models built in 1929 for export to Johannesburg.

Having been delivered to Chatham Docks for shipment, it is understood that damage was sustained during loading and the vehicle, along with another from the batch, was returned to the Scammell works at Watford for repair. It subsequently remained in the UK, rather than making the intended journey to South Africa.

Of particular interest is the suggestion that these Colonial vehicles were effectively prototypes for the walking-beam rear suspension system which subsequently became such a famous feature of Scammell's heavy haulage products. The club's research records that, after spending some time at the Scammell works, DS 8883 was sold to Harwicks of West Ewell, before eventually passing to Redburn's of Enfield, who used it into the 1960s. The present Redburn's livery therefore has a strong connection with its documented working history.

It subsequently entered preservation with W J Fensomes of Huntingdon, and by 2000 was being advertised for sale by Classic & Vintage Commercials magazine, where it was described as "the oldest six-wheeled Scammell in existence." It was subsequently acquired by collector Keith Ross, who commissioned restorer Roy Gould to undertake an extensive restoration.

Mr Gould has recently recalled DS 8883 on social media, as his first major restoration, undertaken during the 1980s. A completely new body had to be constructed, while the original scuttle, fuel tank and long running boards were retained. The chassis was removed for shot blasting, while the distinctive walking-beam rear axle and gearbox were dismantled and rebuilt, reportedly by Barbers Transport of Croydon.

The intention was to have the Scammell participate in the London to Brighton Veteran Car Run around 1991. Despite some carburettor problems, it successfully tackled the famous route, with Mr Ross and Mr Gould sharing the driving. The journey was not entirely without incident, however, as a broken clutch pedal eventually brought proceedings to a halt – something which was apparently quickly remedied by a suitably talented welder!

DS 8883 subsequently passed through several private collections before being acquired by the present vendor in approximately 2012, as part of a considerably larger collection.

The history file contains a fascinating assortment of documentation, including correspondence and photocopies of Scammell build information. Some of the surviving factory material depicts different body configurations and may have been sourced from Scammell to establish how the vehicle might originally have appeared. There is also a drawing suggesting a fuel tanker body, which would certainly be consistent with the vehicle's supposed Colonial export specification. If, as the history suggests, the vehicle never actually left Britain and was returned to the factory, it is entirely plausible that its body was subsequently altered or replaced during its long working life.

Whatever the precise configuration during its earliest years, the survival of so much research and documentation makes DS 8883 a particularly intriguing vehicle. Its present Redburn's of Enfield livery gives it enormous visual appeal and a genuine connection to one of its known former operators, while the unusual six-wheel configuration and walking-beam suspension make it immediately recognisable as something rather special.

The Scammell has been run and driven on site, although at the time of our inspection it required a tow-start with the assistance of a friendly tractor. As with any vehicle of this age, recommissioning and mechanical inspection should be anticipated before regular road use.

For the enthusiast of early commercial vehicles, this is much more than simply an old lorry. DS 8883 is an exceptionally rare early Scammell with documented connections to the factory, a fascinating possible Colonial history, an extensive restoration pedigree and an evocative period livery. It represents an important chapter in the development of British heavy haulage and offers its next custodian the opportunity to preserve one of the most unusual surviving Scammells of the pre-war era.

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