Lancashire was a big buyer of Ford D series appliances, mostly with HCB Angus bodywork. The D1617 was a perfectly good chassis for the 85 foot Snorkel, and actually had the same Perkins V8 engine and GVW rating as the contemporary custom ERF.
It was a bit less satisfactory when it came to cornering at speed, because the center of gravity was a bit higher than the ERF, but it was also quite a bit less expensive! Although most ERFs had a five seat crew cab, the standard D series three seat cab was not a practical disadvantage - because most brigades operated their Snorkels with only two crew members anyway.
It was a bit less satisfactory when it came to cornering at speed, because the center of gravity was a bit higher than the ERF, but it was also quite a bit less expensive! Although most ERFs had a five seat crew cab, the standard D series three seat cab was not a practical disadvantage - because most brigades operated their Snorkels with only two crew members anyway.
Added by Rob Johnson on 23 December 2020.