Peter Simpson tracks down a 1993 Volvo F10 that is still working for a living
Elsewhere, we reported the excellent news that Bob Carmichael’s iconic 1972 Volvo F88 timber tractor had found a pretty-much ideal new home following Bob’s retirement. That home was in East Yorkshire, with Charlotte Bradley Transport. However, it’s not the only Volvo here as it shares those duties with another old Volvo. That is 1993 Volvo F10 K29GFU. Now 33 years old, this one is also of great interest to enthusiasts. So while we were on site photographing the F88, we also took a look this one.
It’s actually quite appropriate for an F10 and F88 to share shed-space, as the Volvo F10 and F12 were introduced in 1977 as direct replacements for the F88 and F89. While it was undoubtedly the latter which established Volvo Trucks in the UK, it was the F10 and F12 that made Volvo a dominant player. They were joined in 1987 by the 16-litre F16 version, and the three remained in production until 1993, when they were replaced by the FH Series.
The F10, F12 and F16 designations all referred to basic engine capacity, though the F10’s TD100 engine’s capacity was actually 9.6litre rather than a full 10-litre. All three were straight-six Volvo units developing 280bhp, 320bhp and 460bhp respectively. When launched, the F16 was Europe’s most powerful tractor unit, beating comfortably rival offerings from MAN, Mercedes-Benz, Iveco and Scania. A 1983 upgrade bought major changes including a taller roof and larger windscreen. it also incuded a new, lighter chassis featuring parabolic springs. Engines were also upgraded, albeit with unchanged power outputs.
One of the last
First registered in July 1993, 1993 Volvo F10 K29GFU would have been one of the last Volvo F10s sold in Britain. As such it incorporated all the changes and improvements applied during the previous 16 years. It has a TD102FK 320 engine plus an eight-speed gearbox; according to Richard it “could do with a splitter but hasn’t got one.” It was supplied new by Volvo dealership John Hebb of Grimsby. They, incidentally, were one of the first three Volvo truck dealerships in Britain, being appointed by Jim McKelvie in 1967.
Other than that, its early ownership history isn’t known. In around 2000 iHull-based Danby Engineers bought it and used mainly for taking trailers to and from test. It then passed to Charlotte Bradley in around 2011. At this time, Charlotte was still running the haulage side of the business, and the 1993 Volvo F10 was used daily. Regular jobs covered included cardboard boxes from Hull to East Riding Sacks at Full Sutton near York (a run it sometimes did twice a day) beer from Beerbrew at York to various distributors and various bulk loads for local farmers. They also used it for collection/delivery of trailers.
From around 2023, Charlotte Bradley switched entirely repairing and maintaining lorries and trailers. The 1993 Volvo F10 had, however, become a much-loved member of the fleet so was retained for trailer movements, and goes out pretty-much every day. Richard clearly enjoys driving it a lot, and thanks to the fully-operational air suspension, it’s also extremely comfortable. It “sits happily at 60 all day on the flat”, though it can be “a bit asthmatic” on hills. Interestingly however, Richard is certain that it goes better when the air outside is cold than when it’s warm; in the cold it “pulls like a train.”
Maintenance Matters
Maintenance-wise, K29GFU gets six-monthly engine oil and filter changes plus annual gearbox and rear axle changes. In view of the lorry’s use and performance capability Richard also sticks to quality tyre brands. In 2017 the engine was treated to a full rebuild including new bearings, piston rings and liners. More recently when the engine became progressively more and more reluctant to hold a steady speed. To fix this Richard fitted a new air throttle foot valve. That, though, has been about it. As well as being extremely reliable in service, the F10 has also been remarkably low-maintenance.
The big question though, was which of these two working Volvos Richard prefers – the F88 or F10? Perhaps unsurprisingly, he can’t favour one over the other – they are both very different. But in terms of driver comfort and convenience, the F10 is definitely better. But then again, given that it’s 20 years younger, it would be bad if things hadn’t improved significantly…
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