The ‘N’ Type 1972 – 1978
As vehicle regulations altered a replacement for the ‘T’ series was required. This came in 1972 with the introduction of the ‘N’ Type.
1972 - The ‘N’ type
The ‘N’ type is readily recognised by the Motor Panels all steel cab.
Initially it was available with the Pakamatic body but very few were sold.
The photo supplied by Jaap Mikkers shows the prototype and there were alterations to the cab design as shown below.
1972 The ‘N’ type with the Revopak body
The most popular body option was the Revopak which had already been proved on the ‘T’ series chassis.
1972 The Narrow ‘NN’ series
S&D were unable to find a way to modify the Motor Panels cabs to provide a narrow version of the ‘N’ series so the cab design from the ‘T’ series was carried over. The main distinguishing feature is that a full crew cab provided with only two doors was introduced for crew safety purposes unlike the ‘T’ series which had four doors.
1976 Cosmetic changes
Steve Jones provided me with this information.
The earlier N series cabs had larger indicators on the front as shown left whilst later cabs from 1976 had a smaller indicator & side light combined shown right.
I don’t know the exact date of the lights change but going by English Reg. Nos. on SD Revopaks it must have been late 1976.
Another change was to the hydraulic oil filler. On earlier models it was located in the floor of the body, later it was moved to below the body access door.
The switch to control the pump was also changed from a pull up/push down switch to a black rocker switch located on the cab floor in front of the gear lever.
1978 The Intapak
To counter perception that the Revopak continuous operation was uneconomical the intermittent operating Intapak was offered as an alternative. The shape of the hopper distinguishes the Intapak from the Revopak.
Chassis Type Definitions
NN 11.5 tons GVW available in 8' 0" , 9' 10" & 11' 0" (crew cab) wheelbase
NX 14.0 tons GVW available in 11' 6" & 12' 9" (crew cab) wheelbase
NY 16.0 tons GVW available in 12' 9" & 14' 0" (crew cab) wheelbase
NT 22.0 tons GVW on three axles available in 14' 6" (crew cab) wheelbase
3,000 N types were produced. [Kaleidoscope caption 128]