Leyland Gas Turbine Trucks (GTT) by Gary Dwyer (Torque 51)

Further research into the Gas Turbine Trucks has revealed some hitherto unknown vehicles which have now been partly identified from our increasing knowledge gained from the chassis build records. Apart from the original Motor Show exhibit, the examples that enthusiasts of the model are aware of are the three demonstrators put into service by Shell, Esso and Castrol. Research into these vehicles has revealed photographs showing that the Shell vehicle was re-registered before it entered service. A pre-delivery photograph of the Shell unit show it carrying registration EGH 600J but later photographs have been found showing it coupled to a trailer and carrying the registration JGJ 700K. Presumably, the Shell unit was re-registered to bring it in line with the other demonstrators, the Esso unit carrying registration CKX 786K on entry into service whilst the Castrol unit was registered JMX 863K. That Leyland were able to re-register a vehicle with a later registration seems unusual but it may have been that the unit had not been taxed which allowed re-registration or the rules governing such activities were not as strict as today, particularly for a company as large as Leyland were at that time.

This was possibly GTT12 or GTT13? on trade plates B39 DXC – Middlesbrough?) (Peter Davies collection)

Note - The above table corrects the model designation to GTT, not GT as previously thought, also model numbers previously shown in Journal No.2

The Gas Turbine based on the Super Comet - seen here at the  BCVM in 1998 (G Meek)

Further investigation into line and chassis numbers has also revealed that there may have been more engineering prototypes that first believed. Photos have also been found of what looks to have been a engineering prototype vehicle, compete with fifth wheel mounting and trailer run-up ramps (the operator vehicles were not fitted with run-up ramps). The modified grille and door panel inserts of the production vehicles are present but look to be made of plastic (or more likely glass fibre as Leyland had their own glass fibre shop for bus engine cowlings), suggesting that the Motor Show model was probably the only one fitted with the stainless steel panels. It does not appear to be one of the petroleum company vehicles as it has a spare wheel carrier and a different design of fifth wheel mounting platform. There are also what look to be two additional boxes mounted on the dashboard which presumably contain the additional instrumentation required during engineering development testing.

The rear view of the unidentified prototype/ engineering development testing. demonstrator (Peter Davies collection)
 

Left - GTT14, as EGH 600J before delivery to Shell, Right - GTT 14, now re-registered JGJ 700K (Author and Peter Davies collections)

Known details of the Gas Turbine Truck models that are believed to have existed are shown in the table below. If any members can add more information on any of these vehicles, we would be pleased to hear from you. Without verification, at this stage we can only speculate on the identity of the previously unknown chassis but the vehicle described in the above paragraph is likely to have been chassis no. 903325 (GTT12) – or GTT13? as it appears to have test equipment installed - this chassis is believed to have been a prototype. The Motor Show exhibit is believed to have been GTT11 but we have not been able to confi rm this yet. Similarly, we assume that the Super Comet prototype is likely to have been chassis no. 804743 (GTT2) but we cannot verify this yet. If anyone can supply the chassis number of these two examples we may be able to be certain as to their identity.

GTT16, CKX 786K, in all of its magnificence! (Peter Davies collection)

The other known vehicle that has not been fully identified yet is the Marathon-based prototype, currently in the Coventry Transport Museum, which had a single-recuperator engine fitted. This is not listed in the table as no details are currently known – help please, photographs too?! We will no doubt have further updates on the subject in future editions
of Torque as more details are unearthed.

GTT15, JMX 863K, with Burmah Castrol, in a “spot . of bother” beside a motorway (Gary Dwyer collection)

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