Heritage Commercials Magazine - capturing the spirit of vintage days

Secret Garden - Stateside classic

While names such as Kenworth, Mack and Peterbilt are widely recognised outside of their native North America, the name Brockway remains stubbornly obscure. And this is hardly surprising. True, the New York State-based truck builder enjoyed a long and celebrated history, but most of the vehicles produced were sold close to home with relatively small numbers ever seeing service overseas. Indeed records show that the States containing the highest concentrations of Brockway vehicles were New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania – areas all adjacent to the Brockway factory in Cortland.

During the Second World War, however, Brockway’s contribution in terms of vehicle production was significant with several thousand two- and three-axle militarised heavy trucks being manufactured. And among these were a few 4x2 tippers designated 260A and destined to serve with the British Army in Europe.

Twenty-five of these sturdy 10-ton-capacity trucks were built at the Cortland factory and subsequently shipped to England in 1942. Having been checked over by the lads at REME they were shipped to Gibraltar in July 1943. There they enjoyed a quiet and untroubled life until the cessation of hostilities in 1945. It’s impossible to drive far on the island and consequently three years of active service meant that the vehicles clocked up less than 1000-miles.

At least one example was returned to Great Britain after the war (two others ended up in Malta where they were converted to buses) and having been bought at auction by Readhead Engineering of Whaddon near Salisbury, was later converted from a tipper to a recovery truck. This was achieved by removing the tipper body (a fixed-side steel unit raised by twin under-floor rams) and installing in its place of a crane built by Readhead Engineering themselves. The vehicle was then used for many years in a variety of roles which included launching boats at various points along the South coast and erecting the poles for the ‘new-fangled’ sodium lighting in Salisbury during the 1950s. These duties were performed in addition to the primary role of lifting and towing broken-down cars and vans.

NVS 958, as it was eventually registered, was finally retired during the 1970s and sat unused and unloved for almost two decades before being purchased by a private individual also from the Salisbury area. Since that time various modifications have been carried out and these include the installation of the ‘chariot-style’ bodywork modelled on a similar Brockway operated by the Packard importer Leonard Williams during the 1950s, and the replacement of the Readhead crane by a 1948 Model 5BD two-hook affair built by Mann-Egerton.

The specification features an 8.2-litre Continental petrol engine rated at 144hp coupled to a four-speed Fuller gearbox. This is backed up by a White three-speed auxiliary giving 12-forward speeds and three reverse. The drive axle ratio and the 11.00 x 24 tyres  allow a top speed of around 55mph. Wheels are 10-stud and the original electrical system has been converted from a 6-volt to 12-volt system. Fuel consumption is recorded at a thirsty six to eight-miles per Imperial gallon – and that’s just one of the reasons it spends most of its time in the owner’s garden.

Brockway was a notoriously ‘traditional’ truck builder and was later than many truck manufacturers in offering a diesel engine to its loyal and presumably equally traditional customers. Indeed evidence of the firm’s conservative approach is provided by a letter sent by the Branch Manager of the Buffalo, New York dealer in response to an enquiry by a potential customer which states unequivocally that ‘... (Brockway) does not manufacture motor trucks equipped with Diesel engines...’ In
fact the very first diesel-powered Brockway was not introduced until 1955.

One year later in 1956, Mack Trucks acquired Brockway and although the Cortland-based company was allowed a good deal of independence and autonomy, an organisation renowned for its well-proven if somewhat traditional approach to truck building was dragged somewhat reluctantly from the 1930s into the late 1950s.

Mack cabs were introduced to the Brockway range during the 1970s but the company eventually ceased trading in 1977.

Up for grabs

If you fancy owning this rare piece of transport history you’ll be pleased to know it’s now for sale. Phone 01747 820545 for details.

Words & Photography: Martin Phippard