AEC Lorries in the Post-War Years 1945-1979

BKSHB

The lorries covered in the first part
of this book include the Mark III
range of Matador, Monarch, Mammoth
Major and Mandator, vehicles which
were such a familiar sight on the
roads of the 1950s. By the end of the
1950s AEC’s business began a hectic
expansion prompted in part by a
growing demand for tractor units for
articulated vehicles. In 1959 AEC
introduced the Mk V range including
the mighty Mammoth Major Eight. By the
end of 1964 over 6,000 Ml Vs had been
built, about half of which were eight-
wheelers – halcyon days indeed.

Military and overseas markets were
important segments for AEC with
exports to Australia, South Africa,
South America and elsewhere booming in
the early 1960s.

Demand continued strongly in the mid-
1960s with many operators replacing
existing vehicles in response to
successive pieces of legislation.
However, this demand was now being met
at least in part by European-built
vehicles. Then in 1968 the merger with
Leyland brought with it labour and
financial problems, and the last
‘true’ AECs were built in 1977.

Graham Edge tells this story in detail
and knowledgeably, the story of a
great enterprise whose trucks remain
favourites for commercial vehicle
enthusiasts. He includes a 16-page
section of colour photographs mostly
by Peter Davies as well as engine
specifications and a checklist of the
AEC lorry range from 1934 to 1973-9.


Contents

The immediate postwar years 1945-
47

The Mark III range, 1948-53

Golden years 1954-58

Golden years 1959-64

Military progress

AEC overseas

AEC diesel engines

AEC lorry range 1934-79

• 152 Pages
• 250 Colour and Black and White Photographs Throughout
• Hardback book
• 275mm x 205mm