Bowling along the old A38 at a heady 32mph this AEC eight-wheeler is typical of many long distance fleets of the immediate post-war years. Already over ten years old the vehicle would be expected to soldier on for another five at least before being pensioned off or sold to another perhaps smaller haulier. Under the bonnet would most likely be the trusted AEC 7.7 litre diesel a rather small capacity for the gross weight of 22 tons, the later Mk III version would have the bigger 9.6 or even the mighty 11.3 litre fitted to deal with 24 tons or with a trailer 32 tons gross weight.