1955 Thornycroft Sturdy Star tip truck
Made in Basingstoke, England, in 1955 is this charming Thornycroft Sturdy Star tip truck.
Delivery date of the ZG/ER4 Tip Chassis & Cab was 24th May 1955, to Thornycroft (Australia) Pty. Ltd. for The Council of the City of Sydney, where this truck was used in the Engineers Department. Chassis number is 56868, with engine number ER4 6128. AT number (Order number, I think) was 2346, and Dispatch number. 890. Another one (chassis 26869, engine ER4 6125)) was sold and dispatched to the same customer on the same day. I wonder if it still exists?
The hydraulic tipper body was made and installed locally, by PWA Transport Equipment (Peters Bros, Wade and Allmon Pty. Ltd.) of Sydney. The hoist is a G-Well PG8L hydraulic hoist, serial number 24351. It served the Council until the late 1960s, when truck dealer David Gilbert placed an advertisement in The Land newspaper for about a dozen of these trucks, selling them all within a week to farmers in western NSW for carting wheat. Mr Gilbert stated that he received "orders for as many I could get!" This truck went to M.C. Pilot, a farmer in Wyalong, NSW.
At some stage it was sold to Merryvale Pastoral Company in Ganmain, NSW, and then, for the past 40 years or so, it was owned and used by the Prentices on their property at Kamarah, NSW.
In May 2023, the truck came to join the other classics at Kelly St Classics in central Victoria, where it'll be very handy around the property. Click here to see the photos of its early days here at Kelly St Classics.
↑ delivery day 8th May 2023.
↑ after a big clean, and a coating of Penetrol to preserve the truck and
its amazing patina.
↑ fleet number 109 in its early life with the Council of the City of
Sydney.
↑ three past lives evident on the driver's door!
↑ almost 6 ton load capacity!
↑ air filter in its own passenger seat box!
↑ of all the trucks in the area, I love the fact the Sturdy Star was
chosen to be included in a recent new series of murals at the local
swimming pool, showing local attractions! Proudly displayed by two of my
awesome six grandchildren!
Click here to see the photos of its early days here at Kelly St Classics.
