In the 70s, the BV202 tracked vehicles formed an important part of the Armed Forces' preparedness. They had unsurpassed characteristics in the terrain, but not particularly suitable for road driving. The solution was to transport them on trucks.
Tracked vehicles on the M6
The Norwegian Armed Forces created a temporary solution for their M6s (military trucks). It consisted of a platform or ramp that allowed space for a tracked vehicle. Well, space and space. There was actually no room for more than half a tracked vehicle on the M6 plane. The rest – 3 meters – hung out at the back. Only cars with a front-mounted winch were allowed to transport tracked vehicles – because they had a few extra kilos on the front axle. But it didn't help much. Behind the wheel of the M6, you could feel the front vehicle occasionally lifting off the ground. You had to be extra careful over the snowdrifts. Transporting tracked vehicles in this way was, of course, pure madness. 11 tons at times without steering could go very wrong. Moreover, it required a lot of work and a long time to prepare the M6 for BV transport.
New attempt
A new solution was developed by the Army's indentature at Løren. At New Year's in 1979, the Transportkompaniet at Bardufoss had 8 civilian trucks - Ford and Mercedes-Benz fitted with a body from Centrum bodywork with aluminum ramps that were easy to rig up. Then the tracked vehicle could be fully secured on the plane within a few minutes. The biggest advantage was, without a doubt, safety. Eventually, it was prohibited to transport tracked vehicles on the M6.
Ford D series
Over the years, the army has bought many Ford D series and Cargo. They were used for everything, except warfare. In the "war" it was instead about donations such as GMC ("gems") and M6 - and later Scania - also with a high nostalgia factor for many of us. But now the Ford D-series was also allowed to take part in military exercises, even though they did not have combat lights, barriers or gun mounts.
Ford's D series had model designations based on total weight and number of horsepower. It was D0911 and D1618 that were to be tested for tracked vehicle transport.
Ford D0911
Ford D1618
The larger Ford had the same special solution for transporting tracked vehicles. It looked comical with the same small cab as the other cars in the D series. The interior as in a Ford Transit - and was not at all in line with what you would expect in a heavy truck. The disappointment of the cheap driving environment was thoroughly offset by the engine. Under the driver's cabin you could hear the song of a beautiful 8,3 liter Cummins Diesel V8 which produced 170-180 horses. With a 4-speed gearbox high and low, you could keep up the speed well on the slopes even with a tracked vehicle on the plane.
Ford D history
The D-series was produced between 1969 and 1981. They came in numerous sizes – from 5 to 28 tons of gross weight. The recipe seemed simple. You take a frame, put on wheels and an engine that fits the weight class. Then you use the same cab regardless of the model. In Norway, Ford distribution trucks with flatbed, box or tank were popular. In Germany, the D-series was sold as the N-series. Both model series were produced in England. The N-series had a different front than the D-series. Some models of the D-series were also produced at Ford's Turkish factory in Otosan, which produced the Turkish fiberglass truck Anadol . The Ford trucks from there had their cabs made of fiberglass.
English quality
English Ford? How was the quality? I actually can't find anything to put my finger on! Granted, these were new cars. I logged between 10-40 miles every working day over 6 months. The only negative moment was when I picked up the car – a D1618 – at the quay south of Bjerkvik on a pitch-black evening. Then I only got the high gear series. And up from the quay there was a rocky and steep hill. The next day I tilted up the cab and saw a wire that was not attached - and voilà - the problem was solved.
Ford D nostalgia
There are not very many Ford D series with plates. There should be 5 pieces of D0911 left that are separated but not wrecked. Of D1618, there are 13 cars left, of which only one still appears to have plates. It doesn't help that Ford were simple and cheap trucks for their time. It costs a lot of money to restore a vintage truck. When choosing restoration objects, it will then be easier to choose more high-quality cars such as Volvo and Scania. There was quite a bit of Ford, actually. The D series is unlikely to gain much popularity as a vintage car here at home. In England, they are generally better at looking after heavy vehicles - including the Fords that were produced there.
Ford Otosan
But in one country, the D series looks set to live on - probably for many more years. In Turkey, the Ford "Otosan" D1210 has achieved a kind of cult status. They were produced right up until 1983 and a surprising number are still on the road - in apparently good condition - often decorated. In particular, the decor in the cabins has been updated. If you are looking for parts, you can find everything there. The engines, which are Ford's 6-cylinder engine of the same type that ran here at home - for example in D0911. On Youtube there are several clips of well-grown truck owners who still drive their paid-off Ford trucks with style and dignity, and who wouldn't drive anything else.
