ERF and Atkinson trucks will celebrate their 90th anniversary this year, with the Newark Vintage Tractor and Heritage Show planning an official celebration for the vehicles at the event.
The show will take place on November 4 and 5, 2023, and organisers said it will feature a celebration of the “historic vehicles”.
ERF was a British truck manufacturer, established in 1933 by Edwin Richard Foden, and was purchased by MAN SE, known for its commercial vehicles and trucks, but ceased production in 2008.
On display at the National Vintage Tractor and Engine Club (NVETC) North Midlands’ stand at the event will be a 1962 12t ERF truck, owned by Alan Hitchcock.
“The vehicle was first registered in July 1962, and the present owner bought it in 2022,” explains NVETC North Midlands representative, Derek Turton.
“It will be on display at our stand, and on the back will be a vintage tractor, so it will be quite the display. It will be the first time we’ve had a stand at the show, we’re all excited, particularly with the 90 years of ERF theme.”
Another modern truck to be displayed is a 1997 ERF EC Olympic Gold, owned by Rich Eldred.
“My dad used to have one when I was a kid and I always wanted one. Three years ago I finally bought one, off a friend who was retiring it from work,” Eldred said.
“It was fulfilling a childhood dream for me. It’s quite a rare truck, too, as it’s a Gold spec Olympic, which means it’s top spec; every box was ticked, which even in 1997 meant it had air conditioning.”
ERF and Atkinson
Richard Dale will be bringing both an ERF truck and an Atkinson truck to the Newark Vintage Tractor and Heritage Show.
Atkinson was founded in 1970 and ceased production in 2009. Dale’s Atkinson truck to be exhibited at the show is from 1993.
“It was first owned by BP Petroleum, it was then purchased by someone who had a fuel business himself – Stone’s Fuels – so he could deliver to the fisheries around the East coast,” Dale said.
When the fuel business went under new ownership, the truck was painted red.
“Then he bought the business back, and the truck remained in his garage for 26 years,” Dale said.
“In May, I had the chance to purchase the truck, so we have put it back to his colours, with his name on it – as a tribute to him and Stone’s Fuels – we’re going to surprise him.”
The truck is quite rare, according to Dale, who said he hasn’t seen one for many years.
Dale’s ERF truck was originally owned by Flo Gas, but was sold to a local farmer.
“He ran it for a number of years on the farm, still in the Flo Gas colours – it had been stood in the yard for two years, when he asked if we could come and paint the front bumper,” Dale said.
“So we asked what his plans were for it, and he said he was going to sell it – so we bought it and repainted it into our colours – Seven Acre Commercials.
“And we use it to bring vehicles to shows. The truck gets shown too, as well as whatever is on the back of it.”
