Parts of four elderly chassis sit derelict on a farm in Northamptonshire. Like so many they have served many years (more than sixty, apparently) as farm trailers but are now awaiting disposal, either for scrap or to preservationists. One chassis was always known as "the bus", the others may be lorry chassis. Some have been burnt to destroy the rotted trailer but still have salvageable parts. Only one chassis remains in "reasonable" condition. Most have their differentials, but it is impossible to tell if the internals of these exist.
This is the only one that is "complete" in terms of the axles being attached to a complete chassis. The chassis has been extended at the left end to be articulated but the revolving axle appears to be the original front axle.
It sports the hugest diff casing I have ever seen!
The hubs bear no insignia but maybe the shape will be recognised by some. The only identifying marks are on the diff:
The L M LD suggests Leyland Motors Ltd?
From the diff, a prop shaft rises steeply to level with the top of the chassis - presumably this is (or was) some kind of universal joint but there is no transmission ahead of this point.
Faded lettering on the nearside of the chassis suggest a maximum speed of 18 mph.
And on the offside the weights are listed.
I am not knowledgable on lorry types of this era but this could be a Leyland Q type of the 1920s.
Just a front axle and a pile of miscellaneous wheels which may or may not have anything to do with it.
Even the wheels on the axle are not the same.
But the hub caps are in fine order and reveal the origins as W & G Du Cros of Acton, London. It would appear their primary business was running a fleet of taxis and body-building for the same but this expanded into bus and lorry building. Apparently only one lorry of their manufacture survives in the UK (an ambulance) but three exist in Australia.
On the "fire pile" a chassis in poor condition.
Identity is not in doubt though - the hubs show its origins with Star Engineering in Wolverhampton, who apparently manufactured cars but did produce a quantity of lorries for the army during the First World War. I don't believe they made any others.
The rear axle reveals the star emblem cast into the axle. However, the axle seems to be fitted to the chassis back to front, or has been turned over, as the prop shaft points rearward!
The other distinguishable one on the fire heap is also in poor condition. This is the front axle.
And this is the back axle.
But its identity is revealed by the wheel hubs - I'm pretty sure this is the Morris Commercial logo.
I have since been informed that this has been identified as a chassis from a Morris Dictator bus, c1932. Further information suggests that with eight-stud wheels it is more likely to be a Morris Viceroy.
Anybody seriously interested in purchasing any of these should contact me, John Hinson, on 01908 542815 or john@self-preservation-society.co.uk and I can put you in touch with the farmer that owns them. If there is no interest they will go for scrap.