The Foden FG harks back to 1948 although the Foden name originates even earlier - to 1887 when the company was founded by Edwin Foden. The family dynasty based in Sandbach continued until 1980 when the company was taken over by American company Paccar. Sadly it only lasted a few years before eventually becoming defunct in 2006. In the early days their only competitor was Thornycroft, another classic name in the pioneering days of road haulage.
The cab and chassis were ideal for a number of loads from flatbeds to tankers and tippers. Oxford’s 1:148 scale series has included them all to date, with equally nostalgic names on the side.
Here we see one of the classic lorries as used by another doyen of the UK’s early truck scene, Robson’s of Carlisle, registered ONB 299, which at the time was a Manchester number plate. Decorated in the Robson’s maroon and cream livery, note their characteristic name on the front ‘Border Marquis’. Additional trim is finished in black, including the interior. The unladen platform bed features a brown ‘planked’ out effect. The Foden radiator grille in black and silver includes the Foden ‘signature’ in silver on a cream diamond shaped background. A final detail in gold on the doors tells us that the lorry is part of Robson’s of Carlisle Distribution Services.
