#daf95

N155 GTR June 2023

N155 GTR, January 2023. 

Lots of things were needed to get the DAF through a DVSA test of roadworthiness. As it’s a private HGV there are a few things that don’t require test/certification but on the whole the test is pretty strict, and rightly so. 

The unit had been stood for two years so needed a good mechanical once over. Egertons Fleet Services in Milton Keynes took care of things for me. It needed small things like marker lights and kerb mirror sorting but the rest was pretty big stuff. Four new tyres, two steerer due to age and the ten year law and two drive tyres due to wear. Rear brake linings were near non-existent and inner hub seals were leaking. The exhaust proved the most tricky item to source. A section of the pipe was not available due to parts now being obsolete for this vehicle. Thankfully the people at Egertons know a good fabricator who managed to source the right gauge pipe and copy the original part that came off. 

I found a few cassettes in the local record store so obviously they came home with me to live in the cab. The old Grundig player was just about working at the time of collection from Egertons but I have since upgraded, more to follow on that. 

N155 GTR, Leyland DAF 95 FT360 Ati. July 2022.

I took the top photo of our race truck back in 2017 and presented a print to the owner. At the time I had a conversation with him about the tractor unit and its history. It has been in the race paddock with the trailer shown here most of it’s life. As you can see from the images it is still in very good condition and has super low mileage considering the age of it. I made a throw away comment about never scrapping it or selling the plate which has subsequently turned out to mean I am now the custodian of the wagon. Five years from a passing comment to having the beast on the drive is something I didn’t see coming but I am going to take on the challenge of restoring this truck to as close to new as I can. 

N155 GTR, December 2024.

Little run to my Parent's house on Boxing Day. Boy filmed this on the GoPro.

N155 GTR, February 2023.

N155 GTR, February 2023.

Weekend run with the boy to get a milkshake and cheesy fries at the cafe. 

N155 GTR, February 2023.

Audio upgrade. The unit has two slots above the driver’s seat. It came with an old Grundig cassette player with no working display and a pair of non matching speakers. 

I’ve chosen to keep the cassette facility as it’s age relevant but also chose to put in a CD player with aux in and bluetooth. I was limited on speakers that would fit behind the existing grills to keep it standard but the difference is already noticeable. I ordered a second hand JVC cassette player from Ebay and that is already in and working just fine. The next step will be to fit a discreet sub-woofer under the bottom bunk and the unit will be sounding fantastic.