Page 3. Shelvoke & Drewry Enthusiasts' Club Magazine - Autumn 2010.
THOSE SHELVOKE CABS. Part 5.
By The Editor.
With the introduction of the 'P' series in 1978 S&D provided a completely new and very attractive all steel tilt cab. The Company had commissioned another Letchworth Company, Ogle Design, to assist in designing a modern looking cab without the excessive tooling costs normally associated with such a design. By utilising single curvature steel panels on a welded steel frame tooling costs were around £100,000. A conventional pressed steel cab's tooling costs would have cost millions of pounds. As well as catering for single (with 3 seats) or crew cabs (with 5 seats) the design also permitted the production of narrow bodied cabs.
In a diagram reminiscent of that used for the 'W' type some 30 years earlier S&D's publicity stressed the exceptionally good visibility provided for the driver.
Maintenance issues were addressed by providing a tilt facility to the cab.
In the 56 years of the Company's existence expectations for the comfort of operators had grown beyond all recognition. But the fine 'P' series cab lasted until the sad demise of S&D in 1991.