Scammell started when the wheelwright, George Scammell of Spitalfields, London made his business. Later on when the title of the business became G Scammell & Nephew, they were being involved in the constructing and repair of craftsman crafted carts and vans. In the early 1900s, they had designed a considerable company by providing and retaining Foden steam wagons and smaller vehicles.
The outbreak of war in 1914 presented by itself as a turning position in street transportation historical past. Mechanical transportation was observed to get the job done, proving its huge likely beyond doubt to these types of ahead contemplating companies these as Scammell.
George Scammell’s terrific nephew, Lt Col Alfred Scammell was wounded and invalided out of the military and he was ready to use the useful experience he experienced gained throughout the war and commenced producing the articulated six wheeler, which started generation in 1920. This car was articulated and its incredibly low axle pounds authorized it to carry 7½ ton payload at 12 mph instead than currently being constrained to 5mph. In 1921, a check auto pulled a load of just underneath 8 tons up West Hill in Highgate in next equipment and managed 18mph on the flat.
By 1927, Scammell had strengthened their place by launching its very first cross-state car or truck that was termed the Pioneer. It was a 6×4 rigid, which had a strolling beam bogie so that any of its four wheels could be lifted two ft without having dropping traction. The mobility could be even further improved by incorporating a pushed entrance axle.
The early 1930s noticed the output of the 3 wheeled ‘Mechanical Horse’, developed by Oliver North to exchange horses in rail, postal and other shipping applications. It highlighted automated carriage coupling and the single front wheel could be steered as a result of 360 levels. It was offered in 3 and 6 ton variations. A 1125cc side valve petrol motor run the 3 ton model and a 2043cc motor driven the 6 ton.
Scammell have been leading of the selection, costly and created in tiny quantities. The despair impacted the organization badly and it was in a bad money posture in 1934. Watford Council experienced helped by purchasing a pair of fire engines, but it was not adequate, and it was Shell-Mex that injected capital, but in return, they insisted on a administration shake up which saw Alfred Scammell deprived of his Controlling Director publish.
For the duration of the 2nd Entire world War, Scammell built a significant contribution to the war work by building substantial quantities of tank transporters, gun tractors and hefty recovery cars as properly as fireplace pumps.
In the late 1940s, Scammell created the Scarab, which replaced the ‘Mechanical Horse’ the Scarab experienced identical attributes but had a significantly less angular taxi and a 2090cc motor in both equally styles as effectively a diesel edition, which showcased a Perkins engine.
In 1955, Scammell became component of the Leyland Team and this presented completely ready access to the Leyland engines, gearboxes and axles. A gradual substitute for the light-weight array by new versions applying Leyland engines were the 4×2 Highwayman MU, the Routeman 8 wheeler and a 4×2 ahead handle MU referred to as the Handyman.
The beginning of the 1960s observed the introduction of the new Michelotti created glass fibre strengthened plastic taxi for the Routeman, Handyman and the new twin steer Trunker.
The divisional reorganisation within just the Leyland Team had resulted in the identify turning out to be Scammell Motors, and the closure of Transportation Machines (Thornycroft) in 1972 resulted in the Thornycroft Nubian assortment transferring to Scammell, together with the LD55 dump truck.
The late 1970s observed a surge in improvement and the delivery of the Contractor Mark 2 heavy hauler with an 18 litre, 425 hp Cummins engine and automated gearbox and the initially Commander Tank Transporter for the British Army had been made.
Two developments by Leyland Motors at the close of the 1970s benefited Scammell. Leyland wished to build two new weighty car or truck ranges, the abroad bonneted Landtrain and the United kingdom forward management Roadtrain that would attribute the new C40 tilt cab.
In watch of Scammell’s know-how, Leyland tasked them with the development of the Landtrain and they ended up in a position to use the similar cab and bonnet for the alternative for the Contractor. The new range, the S24 was accessible in 6×4 and 6×6 formats. The total excess weight assortment was 40 ton to 200 ton GTW. Leyland also entrusted the 8 wheeler edition of the Roadtrain, called the Constructor 8 to Scammell and this, at previous gave Scammell accessibility to a contemporary tilt cab.
A armed service 6×6 edition with a Rolls Royce 350 engine, ZF automatic gearbox and Kirkstall axles followed, and this was made available in 8×6 kind to the British Army in 1986 for the hooklift geared up DROPS vehicle prerequisite. In 1987, Scammell uncovered that the tender for 1522 such automobiles was effective, but also that the Leyland Group had been obtained by DAF BV of Holland.
DAF elected to develop the DROPS and chosen S26 cars at the Leyland Plant and prepared to close the Watford manufacturing unit.
In July 1988, the Watford manufacturing facility closed. The S24 and the Nubian ranges, collectively with the rights to the Crusader and Commander were offered to Unipower Ltd, who opened a new plant in West Watford.
