Trucking TV history: Volvo F7 with Simon Waspe - part 1

[@timmycarey1958]

I grew up riding around in my Dad's F717 & F86. Those old trucks made my Mum & Dad a lot of money.

[@TRUCKER.LT71]

My dad taught me how drive trucks in an F717, I was 7yrs old , now I m 50 yrs old and Dad is 71 this Yr, travelled everywhere and anywhere brilliant truck with great memories 👏

[@chrisharris4796]

My uncle had a Volvo F717 BHH639T 1978 240 bhp , cracking truck ,I would soon take one to Italy

[@-DC-]

First lorry I ever drove was a F7 absolutely bloody brilliant little tractor unit, miss the days of stuff you actually had to drive.

[@johnwhyte9404]

Great little motor, one of the first trucks I ever drove for CPR Vehicle Deliveries, delivered a lot of new ones too!

[@jameswilliamson4728]

Thank you trucking tv for posting this vlog for a Saturday afternoon and i can not wait for part two vlog on the Volvo F7.

[@petethemod1]

My first truck after getting my Class one was an F7 in 1984. Quite often did three and four nights out a week. Only issue was lack of storage space. Keeping my ropes in the passenger footwell. With the constant oily smell. The alternative was have them tied on the back of the cab. And in winter having to thaw them out on the engine. Oh happy days... 😎

[@JohnQuinn-q6n]

One of the best little trucks of its time, boxed well above its weight, only 6.7 litres and hold their own against many a 10 litre .

[@fatlad5090]

they did build some 38 ton F7 with full bhp 245 and a 16 speed gearbox bigger springs and flich plates. they was made rite at the end 1985/6 not a lot about. my dad had a 1981 F7 8 wheeler that was a 240 and 16 speed gearbox

[@andrewclarke615]

Some later F7s, were plated, at 36.6 tonnes, on five axles,and the last ones, were 38 tonnes, but had an uprated turbo, and the 16 speed gearbox,also uprated springs, similar, to the F10s.

[@andrewclarke615]

Am pretty sure, that was supplied, by John Hebb, at Wootton, north Lincolnshire, I knew a few Volvo,s with similar registrations.

[@edwardgoodman9882]

F7 pre 1984 220 bhp R5 8speed box could run at 36 tonne .1983to1986 240 bhp SR62 16speed box could run at 38tonne simple and reliable plenty of storage under the bed brilliant motor we used to run a few .Ex fitter at Derek Cooper Transport

[@michaelmatthews8171]

Did you know Richard Anderson Anderson who was at coopers??Hes tells us a few stories at lunch time about coopers and the old Volvos.

[@edwardgoodman9882]

Michael Matthews can't recall the name was there from 82 until the end very sad day for me

[@michaelmatthews8171]

I am not sure of the dates I would say around that time, his dad was there painting the lorries too at red lodge.

[@edwardgoodman9882]

Michael Matthews I was at Kings Lynn depot likely I knew his face but can't recall the name

[@patodonovan274]

Should have had the opinion of the 9.6liter engine great truck in it's Day.

[@michaelmatthews8171]

Has simon got charringtons fuel oils on his list they ran a few f7 artic oil tankers. I remember leggettes f7 on the british sugar contract pulling a matching tault liner trailer always looked very clean..

[@simonwaspe8652]

I hadn't thanks

[@frazerhilton3451]

I may have miss heard you, about the history of the F7... I think it may have been a Borden chemicals truck from Southampton as they are the same colours as your F7.... My Dad worked for them at there depot in Bury Manchester, They ran a little F7 same as that 1.... registration A672 OOT... On night trunk to strensham services back in early 80's n 90's...... So mite be 1 of there old motors... Just a thought.....?

[@Draxindustries1]

My old F7 (lucky 7 I called it on the sun visor} had an extended chassis with air suspension and used it all over Europe pulling tilts. At 40 ton plus it needed all its 16 gears. Later I progressed to a 300hp F10 then onto an F12 400. The best I had though was an F16 470, this would pull gradients fully freighted on the limiter..

[@timmycarey1958]

Was it common for an F7 to have a 16 speed? My Dad had a 16 speed in his F86. The splitter was a big handle on the Dash that you moved up & down. His F7 was just the 8 speed, and it really needed to be a 16 speed.

[@Draxindustries1]

@timmycarey1958 Not all F7's were 16 speed, many were 8 speed (4 lever positions 1 to 4 and a high range/ low range switch on the front of the gear lever). The splitter switch was on the side of the lever allowing a split ratio of each gear making 16 ratios in total. It depended on the gvw, a 6 wheeler grossing 24tons could get away with 8 speed. An 8 legger grossing 32tons would really need the 16 speed box.

[@timmycarey1958]

@Draxindustries1 Dad's F7 was a single drive rigid with a 2 axle dog trailer. At 32T, if he had to stop loaded on a hill he was in a world of trouble 😆. The old F86 was a prime mover hauling logs at around the 40T mark punching well above its weight.

[@Draxindustries1]

@timmycarey1958 At 32t that's where the little 6.7litre needed a range change/ splitter box. My F7 with intercooler was rated at 224hp and at 40t+ sometimes needed all its gears. With the F16 it was possible to skip gears such was its torque. Late 80's / early 90's, good days...

[@ebddenby8439]

First wagon I traveled in as a kid 1985 Volvo f6 milk tanker with a range change as apposed to the zf the older ones had went off the road in July 1997, and accidentally set alight when a machanic was breaking a part of her in around 2004-5

[@chrisyboy666]

My 1st truck 8 wheeler rigid F7 16 speed with the splitter on the dash pulling coal my next was a brand new F Reg FL10 8 speed still pulling coal difference was night and day still remember the reg F769JTY

[@markwells2129]

lovely truck head of their time

[@jtbhire]

Another great video lads. I’m currently restoring a Scania LKT111 (set forward axle) I’m interested in purchasing Simon’s book. Where could I buy a copy?

[@simonwaspe8652]

I ve just read your comment james. Call me 07818417894. Thank u. Simon

[@jtbhire]

@@simonwaspe8652 G'day Simon, Have tried ringing a couple of times. My email is [e-mail], might be easier. Cheers.

[@johnshares444]

Drove one G Snel 1984 85 BF58HF Netherlands ❤flowers and pigeons

[@JeroenBteE]

Always wondered why so many of these where used in the UK?

[@brianwoodcock4690]

I drove mine for 10yr only minor hiccups always got home, 36 ton gross 11700 bricks with self stack trailer most days

[@beverlymitchell4641]

East anglia

[@stevepodd5461]

We had a fleet of F7 s on Alpine ref deliveries ( Lyons maid / Findus )