kscarbel Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 Two years after Ford launched the cutting edge CL-9000 in the US market, the company was introducing the second generation Transcontinental in Europe. The name itself conjures up the journeys these trucks made, from the UK to North Africa, and from Belgium via the MIddle East to Iran. Ford entered the European heavy truck market with the Transcontinental Mark 1 in 1975, In 1979, Ford launched the Mark 2.Mark 1s had small cam Cummins NTCs, while Mark 2s had "big cam" Cummins NTEs (E standing for Europe). Production ended in 1984. Most were produced in Holland (Amsterdam) while a few were produced in the UK at Foden.When Transcontinental production ended in 1984, Ford introduced a range of Class 8 Cargo tractors rated from 28 tons (61,729lb) to 38 tons (83,776lb) GCW (The Ford Cargo series had been launched in 1981).The 38 ton GCW Cargo tractors had Cummins L10 power, while the 28 ton and 32 ton (70,548lb) tractors were available with Perkins, Cummins and air-cooled Deutz diesels.In 1986, Ford sold its European truck operations to Iveco, after which the trucks were badged Iveco-Ford. Iveco closed the UK Ford plant in 1997, but Ford Motor Co. continued Cargo production at Ford Brazil and Ford Otosan (Turkey).(UK Ford Cargo production actually ended in 1993 when Iveco superseded it with the “Eurocargo” series) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kscarbel Posted March 8, 2013 Author Share Posted March 8, 2013 Designed at Ford's R&D center in Dunton, England, the Transcontinental used a modified version* of the then new "TR" cab produced by French truck manufacturer Berliet. The Transcontinental used a modified Ford Louisville chassis imported from the US. Transmissions included Eaton Fuller RT9505s and RTO9513s Single rear axles were 11.5 ton (25,353lb) Rockwell R180s, and 13 ton (28,660lb) Rockwell U180s. Tandem rear axles were 18-ton (39,683lb) Rockwell SHDs and SHRs. Amongst the many modifications for Ford, the Transcontinental version of the Berliet TR cab featured a 4-point suspended cab mounting and a full-size sleeper area.. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RFCDrum Posted March 8, 2013 Share Posted March 8, 2013 They were simple and strong and easy to fix just like the F Model Mack which both were popular going to the Middle East. Cheers, Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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