By Stephen Gray
There had been
both passenger and goods vehicle chassis production at AEC since the company was
formed in 1912, but when G.J.Rackham arrived at AEC as Chief Engineer from arch rivals Leyland Motors in 1928, he set about a complete redesign of chassis, engines and drivelines.
Rackham was responsible for the passenger chassis models Regal, Regent, six wheel Renown and Ranger.
But a new range of lorries was introduced from 1929/30.
Model | Style |
Mercury | (normal & forward control four wheel chassis) |
Monarch | (forward control four wheel chassis) |
Matador | (forward control four wheel chassis) |
Majestic | (normal control four wheel chassis) |
Mandator | (normal control four wheel chassis) |
Marshal | (forward control six wheel chassis) |
Mammoth | (forward control four wheel chassis) |
Mammoth Major 6 | (forward control six wheel chassis) |
Mammoth Major 8 | (forward control eight wheel chassis) |
Normal control | bonneted - driver behind engine |
Forward control | no bonnet - driver beside engine |
Many of these types would have been fitted with Park Royal Coachworks* cabs. Production totals were relatively small and, although there were some exceptions, virtually all production for civilian customers ceased at the outbreak of World War 2 on 3rd September 1939.
Limited production restarted during 1946 for civilian customers, but the main thrust was
to produce chassis for export. The postwar export drive was heavily encouraged by the Government and strong order books assured
the supply of raw materials which were otherwise scarce.
Postwar models were rationalised into the following -
Model | Style |
Monarch | (forward control four wheel chassis) |
Matador | (forward control four wheel chassis) |
Mammoth Major 6 | (forward control six wheel chassis) |
Mammoth Major 8 | (forward control eight wheel chassis) |
Normal control | bonneted - driver behind engine |
Forward control | no bonnet - driver beside engine |
Lorry production took a back seat to bus production for many years up until the mid to late 1950's at Southall when the rise in private car ownership took a toll on orders for passenger
chassis; but from 1953 new truck models were introduced. These were "clean sheet" designs incorporating many new features including engines, drivelines and chassis layout.
For PRV
(that was by then part of the ACV Group, that also incorporated AEC) new cab designs were required and an attempt was made to establish a corporate appearance in the vehicles produced which continued throughout the rest of the 1950's.
AEC Ltd. instigated a new model identification system as follows:
GM Series - "GOODS - MEDIUM WEIGHT" | |
Model | Year |
Mercury | (introduced 1953) |
Mustang | (introduced 1957) |
Marshal | (introduced 1960) |
All
the 'GM series' models utilised the same cab design as a general rule although the cabs fitted in PRV terms incorporated a number of detail differences. These cabs were only fitted to this model range.
G Series - "GOODS Mark 5 - HEAVY WEIGHT" | |
Model | Year |
Mandator | (introduced 1958) |
Mammoth Major 6 | (introduced 1958) |
Mammoth Major 8 | (introduced 1958) |
All
the 'G series' models were treated separately to the GM series above. They had heavier chassis, larger engines and heavier duty drivelines. The cabs were again only fitted to this range.
As a rule of thumb these cabs had a step fitted in front of the steer axle to assist driver access.
Announced in 1964, and in production from 1965, the 'Ergomatic' or tilt cab was fitted to the AEC lorry range.
Originally developed by Leyland Motors, it was designed by the Italian stylist Giovanni Michelotti
(who was also responsible for the Scammell Routeman and Handyman "cheese grater" type
cabs). The 'Ergomatic' was mass produced by Joseph Sankey (later GKN Sankey) at their plant in Wellington, Shropshire.
Completed and trimmed cabs were delivered to the AEC Southall factory on a regular basis.
*Park
Royal Coachworks was formed out of the liquidation of Hall Lewis and was the forerunner of Park Royal
Vehicles (see the History section).