The distinctive cab design, which sets it apart from other British commercial vehicles, was a forward-control (or semi-forward control) design and the Thames Trader model covered a much wider weight range than the existing normal control ET Thames model or the earlier forward control 7V model. Both these earlier models had been based on Ford of America designs; the new Thames Trader was the first heavy commercial to be designed by Ford of Britain (although looking at the headlight surrounds suggests a family resemblance to the American Ford C series truck of the mid 1950s).
Mechanicals and wheelbase typesEdit
The Thames Trader model range covered weights from 2 to 7 tons, powered by either petrol or diesel engines in four- or six-cylinder guises. The lower-weight vehicles were available with 118- and 138-inch wheelbases, the heavy weight vehicle with 138-, 152- and 160-inch wheelbases; there was also a 108-inch tipper wheelbase. In addition there was a low-frame chassis model – typically used for furniture van bodywork.
Mk2Edit
A Mk 2 version was introduced in mid-1962. Externally it is very easy to differentiate between Mk1 and Mk2 versions; the Mk1 has the words THAMES TRADER in red on a chrome strip along the bottom of the bonnet opening and the white painted grill between the headlights has a vertical divider with a red circular badge with 4 stars, whereas the Mk2 has just the word THAMES under the bonnet, and TRADER in white letters spaced out between the headlights replacing the divider and badge. The Mk2 Diesel engined variants had either a 4D or 6D chrome badge on each front wing, on the Mk1 it was a squarish chrome badge with either a red painted 4, 6, 4D or 6D to indicate the engine configuration. The lower edge of the badge had a horizontal chrome strip running the length of the lower part of the wing.
Normal Control modelsEdit
Ford commenced production of the Thames Trader NC at the Dagenham factory in England in 1962.[1] It used the cabin developed by Ford Germany for their slow-selling Ford Köln truck, which had been discontinued in 1961. The NC designation indicated "normal control",[2] as opposed to "forward control". After the discontinuation of the Thames brand in 1965 the NC was re-designated as the K Series.[2] Ford Europe would not step in again on the normal control heavy-duty van segment until 1973 with the Ford A-Series, which was based on the smaller Ford Transit.
London Transport useEdit
A bus designed to transport bicycles through the Dartford Tunnel in 1963
London Transport ordered five double decker buses based on the Thames Trader for special duties, taking cyclists through the Dartford Tunnel. These had a lower deck purpose built for carrying bicycles, with the upper deck for cyclists. Unusually, these buses had their stairwell several feet above the level of the road, accessible by a ladder. The service was later dropped in 1965, owing to lack of cycle traffic and possibly the design.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Thames Trader.
Ford Thames Trader at Heritage Machines
Thames Trader at National Road Transport Hall of Fame (Australia)
October 25, 2023
thames, trader, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sources, unsourced, material, challenged, removed, find, sources, news, newspapers, books, scholar, jstor, september, . This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Thames Trader news newspapers books scholar JSTOR September 2017 Learn how and when to remove this template message The Thames Trader was a range of trucks manufactured by Ford UK built between 1957 and 1965 Thames Trader1964 Thames Trader Mark 2 recovery vehicleOverviewManufacturerFord UKProduction1957 1965AssemblyDagenham EnglandBody and chassisBody style2 door pickup2 door vandouble decker busLayoutFR layoutDimensionsWheelbase118 0 in 2 997 mm 138 0 in 3 505 mm 152 0 in 3 861 mm 160 0 in 4 064 mm 108 0 in 2 743 mm Length5 300 7 500 mm 209 295 in Curb weight1 690 8 990 kg 3 726 19 820 lb ChronologyPredecessorFord FKFordson Thames ETSuccessorFord D Series forward control Ford A Series normal control Contents 1 Forward Control models 1 1 Design 1 2 Mechanicals and wheelbase types 1 3 Mk2 2 Normal Control models 3 London Transport use 4 Gallery 5 References 6 External linksForward Control models EditDesign Edit The distinctive cab design which sets it apart from other British commercial vehicles was a forward control or semi forward control design and the Thames Trader model covered a much wider weight range than the existing normal control ET Thames model or the earlier forward control 7V model Both these earlier models had been based on Ford of America designs the new Thames Trader was the first heavy commercial to be designed by Ford of Britain although looking at the headlight surrounds suggests a family resemblance to the American Ford C series truck of the mid 1950s Mechanicals and wheelbase types Edit The Thames Trader model range covered weights from 2 to 7 tons powered by either petrol or diesel engines in four or six cylinder guises The lower weight vehicles were available with 118 and 138 inch wheelbases the heavy weight vehicle with 138 152 and 160 inch wheelbases there was also a 108 inch tipper wheelbase In addition there was a low frame chassis model typically used for furniture van bodywork Mk2 Edit A Mk 2 version was introduced in mid 1962 Externally it is very easy to differentiate between Mk1 and Mk2 versions the Mk1 has the words THAMES TRADER in red on a chrome strip along the bottom of the bonnet opening and the white painted grill between the headlights has a vertical divider with a red circular badge with 4 stars whereas the Mk2 has just the word THAMES under the bonnet and TRADER in white letters spaced out between the headlights replacing the divider and badge The Mk2 Diesel engined variants had either a 4D or 6D chrome badge on each front wing on the Mk1 it was a squarish chrome badge with either a red painted 4 6 4D or 6D to indicate the engine configuration The lower edge of the badge had a horizontal chrome strip running the length of the lower part of the wing Normal Control models EditFord commenced production of the Thames Trader NC at the Dagenham factory in England in 1962 1 It used the cabin developed by Ford Germany for their slow selling Ford Koln truck which had been discontinued in 1961 The NC designation indicated normal control 2 as opposed to forward control After the discontinuation of the Thames brand in 1965 the NC was re designated as the K Series 2 Ford Europe would not step in again on the normal control heavy duty van segment until 1973 with the Ford A Series which was based on the smaller Ford Transit London Transport use Edit nbsp A bus designed to transport bicycles through the Dartford Tunnel in 1963London Transport ordered five double decker buses based on the Thames Trader for special duties taking cyclists through the Dartford Tunnel These had a lower deck purpose built for carrying bicycles with the upper deck for cyclists Unusually these buses had their stairwell several feet above the level of the road accessible by a ladder The service was later dropped in 1965 owing to lack of cycle traffic and possibly the design Gallery Edit nbsp 1959 Thames Trader nbsp Thames Trader Mark 2 nbsp 1964 Thames Trader NCReferences Edit www griffintrust org uk Retrieved 15 November 2016 a b www fomcc de Retrieved 15 November 2016External links Edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Thames Trader Ford Thames Trader at Heritage Machines Thames Trader at National Road Transport Hall of Fame Australia Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Thames Trader amp oldid 1171233050, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
