nO. 46, 47, 48, 49 SIX-WHEEL BODIED TRUCKS
Commercials (1975)
By 1975 Lone Star's long running range of 8-wheel Impy / Commercial lorries was in desperate need of an overhaul. Not only were they looking dated but increasing competition from the Far East meant some cost cutting was required across the range.
The result was the introduction of a new 6-wheel chassis which replaced the 8-wheel models and could take either the existing Leyland or Foden S50 cabs. As well as a new shorter flatbed body (See Nos.43 & 45) four completely new bodies were introduced giving four new models numbered 46-49. Three of the new bodies were plastic whilst the low-sided truck body was diecast. Despite the bodies and cabs all being interchangeable the four new models tended to standardise on a specific cab. Eg, No.46 Low-sided Truck is always found with a Leyland cab, well apart from the one rare example I have found fitted with a Foden half cab!
At the same time as the new trucks were issued a new ‘Commercials’ window box was introduced. Typically, this wasn’t very well thought out as No.47 Bulk Carrier was too tall to fit inside! Thus, this model is only found in carded packaging (or I have an example packaged in the later Impy Super models window box). All very confused and very Lone Star!
These short-lived 6-wheel trucks are some of my favourites and there’s plenty of colour variations to search out.
1975 Trade Catalogue showing new 6-wheel trucks
NO.46 LOW SIDED TRUCK (1975)
NO.47 BULK CARRIER (1975)
NO.48 SAND CARRIER (1975)
NO.49 SIDED TIPPER (1975)
