If you can drive this.........

Out for little driver training it says on the front bumper. Well if you can drive a Canadian military MLVW (Military Logistics Vehicle Wheeled) you should be able to drive just about anything.

Now approaching thirty years old, the Canadian version of the US M35 dates from the initial delivery in 1982 by Bombardier. It is a 6 X 6 (with big single Michelin tires) powered by a nice sounding 8.2 liter V-6 Detroit and an Allison automatic transmission. One source says 2,765 were delivered to the Canadian military.

The new Internationals are gradually supplanting these aging beasts, but the reserves will likely have then for some time. The trade mark roof racks, winterized cabs and four batteries are the main distinguishing marks from the earlier US version, which was built by AM General.

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New Cats in Town

I don't know when they got here, but they have arrived.

The long awaited new Caterpillar trucks are at the local dealer now, and a selection are on view out front, complete with dump boxes, fifth wheels, etc.,

Designated by Cat as a vocational truck (which means construction, trash hauling, transit mix and flatbed trailer work and just about everything else except maybe long distance over the road work) they certainly look the part of heavy duty trucks.

With the recent demise of Sterling, one had to wonder if there was room for another truck brand in the North American market.

The competition as I see it:

Volvo - has own engines, and has Mack as its vocational arm.

Daimler/Freightliner has Western Star with its vocational line, and has its own engines.

International has all sorts of model lines and its own engines, but is apparently somehow tied into the Cat truck.

PACCAR (Kenworth/Peterbilt) have their own vocational lines too and use Cat or Cummins engines as the customers requests.

Aside from some small independents, that is really it. Cat has a huge dealership network already and seem to be well placed to make a mark.

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Hope you enjoy a White Christmas

Here are a few snowy Whites for Christmas:
1. Just what Santa needs for those large deliveries. The Onslow Belmont Fire Brigade had just retired this White 3000 tanker in 1984.

2. A new Road Boss conventional and new COE glider await delivery in 1977.

3. Just in off the snowy roads, a Maritime Ontario White has the rad and the a/c blanketed for winter 1978. A bit of road grime doesn't detract from the solid good looks of this one.

3. A White Freightliner COE and a White Western Star, and a glider are also in the cue for delivery in 1976.

4. A nice long wheelbase White Western Star has a fancy paint job in 1976.

5. Just what Santa ordered, a white White 3000 on a pedestal.

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