The First Australian built Western Star.....

Remember Crouches in Sydney had a Road boss with a Rolls Royce in it new for sale at the end of1979

G'day from Roger in Brisbane, First post but a long time appreciator of all the knowledge and experiences the HCVC forum shares.

Back in the early '70's my father worked at White Trucks, Coopers Plains in Brisbane on the "Special Engineering" production line.

We were only kids, but recall dad's stories of many and varied options that went into some of the trucks. The Rolls Royce engined trucks (recollections say two were made) could have been made some time in the period 1974-1977. I have also worked with previous engineering staff from White who also recall the Rolls Royce engined trucks. Here is a picture, looks like Mobil colours (let see if I get the attach photo thingo right).



After 1975 Dad started buisness in his own right making components for White Trucks. I can clearly recall coming home from Primary School and having to go down to the shed in the back yard and clean up welds and drilling holes for front shockie pin assemblies. Hundreds of them, it was a boring job that didn't pay too well but ultimately taught good skills.

In the early 80's White was in trouble and dad's business saw the end of work for White, with dad holding a lot of stock that wasn't paid for. The name Duce Motors rings a bell and I think dad supplied some spares to them along the way. Then come 1982-1983 Western Star came on the scene and dad found a home for most of the White parts and some new work also came from Western Star.

Regards
Roger

....we did some paintwork on the RR powered Road Boss, sold to Caltex Oil in around 1980 by White Trucks (OGR Distributors) in Thomastown Vic.

...pretty sure there were a couple of these ill fated jiggers getting around early on in the late 80's....possibly the Caltex ones....

... one went to John George Petroleum (lengthened out to a tray truck) and the other to Telfords of Shepparton .... (idstbc)

G'day from Roger in Brisbane, First post but a long time appreciator of all the knowledge and experiences the HCVC forum shares.

Back in the early '70's my father worked at White Trucks, Coopers Plains in Brisbane on the "Special Engineering" production line.

We were only kids, but recall dad's stories of many and varied options that went into some of the trucks. The Rolls Royce engined trucks (recollections say two were made) could have been made some time in the period 1974-1977. I have also worked with previous engineering staff from White who also recall the Rolls Royce engined trucks. Here is a picture, looks like Mobil colours (let see if I get the attach photo thingo right).

After 1975 Dad started buisness in his own right making components for White Trucks. I can clearly recall coming home from Primary School and having to go down to the shed in the back yard and clean up welds and drilling holes for front shockie pin assemblies. Hundreds of them, it was a boring job that didn't pay too well but ultimately taught good skills.

In the early 80's White was in trouble and dad's business saw the end of work for White, with dad holding a lot of stock that wasn't paid for. The name Duce Motors rings a bell and I think dad supplied some spares to them along the way. Then come 1982-1983 Western Star came on the scene and dad found a home for most of the White parts and some new work also came from Western Star.

Regards
Roger

Would your dads name be Paul, with a Surname name beginning with E ?

Hi Waynestr,

Sorry no. Dad's name Leo surname begining with B.

Regards
Roger

Roger
Thanks
Wayne

One of my mates has a Western Star tipper with a Daf engine in it, not sure what year it is though.