 | This articleneeds additional citations forverification. Please helpimprove this article byadding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Ford D series" – news ·newspapers ·books ·scholar ·JSTOR(July 2015) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
| Ford D series | |
|---|---|
%2c_HTC_2012_Devon_Coastal_Run.jpg) | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Ford UK |
| Production | 1965-1981 |
| Assembly | Langley Berkshire UKCork Ireland |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine |
|
| Transmission | Manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | Variable |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Thames Trader |
| Successor | Ford Cargo |
TheFord D seriesis a range of middle-weight trucks that were introduced byFord UK in 1965.[1] It replaced theThames Trader and appears to have been envisaged as a more modern competitor to theBedford TK produced byGeneral Motors' UK truck subsidiary.
In 1965, the range covered rigid trucks with gross weights from 5.2 to 12.75British tons, and tippers from 10.8 to 12.75tons.[1] Higher gross weights became available with the subsequent introduction of versions featuring twin rear axles and articulated models were also quickly added to the range.[1]
Three new diesel engines were developed for the trucks, respectively of 3.97 litres, 5.42 litres and 5.95 litres cylinder capacity.[1] The smallest unit was of four cylinders while the larger engines employed six cylinders.[1] Claimed power ranged from 82.5 bhp to 128 bhp.[1] Possibly with an eye to export markets outside Europe, petrol-engined versions with power outputs of 129 bhp and 149 bhp were also offered.[1]
As on theBedford TK and on various US built heavy trucks of the time, the cabin was a flat fronted forward control unit positioned above the engine.[1] Engine access was achieved by tilting the entire cab forwards: the hinge at the front employed a torsion-bar counterbalancing system which according to commentators made tilting the cab to access the engine "almost a one-hand job".[1] The engines were installed at an angle of 45 degrees from the vertical which was intended to enable the cab interior to feature a virtually flat floor without the cab itself becoming excessively tall.[1]
April 1967 saw the range expanded upwards with the arrival of the Phase II D1000 series, designed for operation up to a weight of 28tons gross, and at that time the largest trucks ever produced by Ford of Britain.[1] The D1000s were powered byCummins produced V8 diesel engines of 7.7 litres displacement.[1]
The 1978 model year saw a front-end facelift of the cab, which gained the new corporate nose being adopted by Ford of Europe's passenger car range of the period with square headlamps and the black plastic louvred "Aeroflow" grille; the same changes were adopted for the faceliftedTransit around the same time.
In 1981 the range was replaced by theFord Cargo in European markets and by the Ford N series (badge-engineeredHino Ranger) in Australasia.
Hyundai produced the D-750 and D-800 models under license from 1969 to 1972. It was the first Hyundai-manufactured commercial vehicle.[2] It was succeeded by theHyundai Bison.
| Subsidiaries and brands |
|  | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Facilities |
| ||||||||||||
| Passenger cars |
| ||||||||||||
| Commercial vehicles |
| ||||||||||||
