1978 White Road Commander ex Clutha Coal

1978 White Road Commander. Chassis no. TE3220. Sold by HW Crouch from Chipping Norton, Sydney (who were White Truck Dealers).
Specs: Engine 6V92T Detroit Diesel (still has the original engine block as engine numbers match up with ID Plate), Jacobs engine brake, 15 speed direct RT12515, diff ratio 4.11 riding on a Bartuska multi-leaf suspension, 136 inch wheelbase with a single 80-gallon steel fuel tank. All original running gear.
This is one of the three single-drive, day cab White Road Commander Test Trucks that were built for Clutha Coal, based in Camden NSW, Australia. The other two were powered by an 8V71N GM and NTC 290 Cummins. You can see them on the back of the trailer at the very start of this video. I own all three of the Clutha test trucks. Clutha at the time was wanting to replace their aging 1418 Mercedes Benz and the Australian International Acco fleet, so they approached four truck manufacturers: Mack, Scania, Kenworth, and White. They all had to be day cab and single-drive and pull tandem axle tipping trailers. To cut a long story short, White won the contract and supplied Clutha with the largest single order of White Road Bosses here in Australia. I believe there were 90 odd Road Bosses, all Cummins powered and tandem drive. For more info please visit: www.coalcarters.com.au

[@alfbrasher3460]

Thankyou for the ride in your White Ray Grima, sounds great and you certainly know how to drive a truck.

[@raygrimaoldschooltrucking3100]

@@alfbrasher3460 I’m glad you liked it Alf.

[@andrewking4885]

Nice gearshifts, wouldn't find many single drive Road Commanders anymore.

[@raygrimaoldschooltrucking3100]

Thanks Andrew, I actually own 3 single drive Road Commander’s that were made for a specific coal company called Clutha in Australia back in the late 1970s.

[@markc1456]

I thoroughly enjoyed every second of that! Reminds me of the days sitting in the cab next to my old man! That 6v92 sounds 👌

[@raygrimaoldschooltrucking3100]

I'm glad you enjoyed the ride Mark.

[@San-dl5um]

Ray, I enjoyed that. We most do it again.

[@raygrimaoldschooltrucking3100]

Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed it.

[@jeffbyrnes3686]

its like a time warp! 👍

[@damienodonohue1327]

Great video Ray, and good on you for preserving the 3 Clutha trucks, whether people like it or not, Clutha are a big part of our recent history, and still relevant today, do you know when White went from 5 spoke to 6 spoke spiders Ray? Keep it safe!

[@raygrimaoldschooltrucking3100]

@@damienodonohue1327 thanks for watching and commenting.
Regarding the 5 & 6 spoke hubs , well you could spec your truck with either type from factory from New.
Cheers Ray

[@damienodonohue1327]

@raygrimaoldschooltrucking3100 Oh, okay, there you go, I was always under the illusion that they wouldn't rate a 5 spoke to 6 tonne!! Thanks for the quick reply 👍