Trucking TV history: Volvo F7 with Simon Waspe - part 1 

I grew up riding around in my Dad's F717 & F86. Those old trucks made my Mum & Dad a lot of money.

My dad taught me how drive trucks in an F717, I was 7yrs old , now I m 50 yrs old and Dad is 71 this Yr, travelled everywhere and anywhere brilliant truck with great memories 👏

First lorry I ever drove was a F7 absolutely bloody brilliant little tractor unit, miss the days of stuff you actually had to drive.

One of the best little trucks of its time, boxed well above its weight, only 6.7 litres and hold their own against many a 10 litre .

Thank you trucking tv for posting this vlog for a Saturday afternoon and i can not wait for part two vlog on the Volvo F7.

My first truck after getting my Class one was an F7 in 1984. Quite often did three and four nights out a week. Only issue was lack of storage space. Keeping my ropes in the passenger footwell. With the constant oily smell. The alternative was have them tied on the back of the cab. And in winter having to thaw them out on the engine. Oh happy days... 😎

Great little motor, one of the first trucks I ever drove for CPR Vehicle Deliveries, delivered a lot of new ones too!

F7 pre 1984 220 bhp R5 8speed box could run at 36 tonne .1983to1986 240 bhp SR62 16speed box could run at 38tonne simple and reliable plenty of storage under the bed brilliant motor we used to run a few .Ex fitter at Derek Cooper Transport

they did build some 38 ton F7 with full bhp 245 and a 16 speed gearbox bigger springs and flich plates. they was made rite at the end 1985/6 not a lot about. my dad had a 1981 F7 8 wheeler that was a 240 and 16 speed gearbox

My uncle had a Volvo F717 BHH639T 1978 240 bhp , cracking truck ,I would soon take one to Italy

Should have had the opinion of the 9.6liter engine great truck in it's Day.

Some later F7s, were plated, at 36.6 tonnes, on five axles,and the last ones, were 38 tonnes, but had an uprated turbo, and the 16 speed gearbox,also uprated springs, similar, to the F10s.

I may have miss heard you, about the history of the F7... I think it may have been a Borden chemicals truck from Southampton as they are the same colours as your F7.... My Dad worked for them at there depot in Bury Manchester, They ran a little F7 same as that 1.... registration A672 OOT... On night trunk to strensham services back in early 80's n 90's...... So mite be 1 of there old motors... Just a thought.....?

My old F7 (lucky 7 I called it on the sun visor} had an extended chassis with air suspension and used it all over Europe pulling tilts. At 40 ton plus it needed all its 16 gears. Later I progressed to a 300hp F10 then onto an F12 400. The best I had though was an F16 470, this would pull gradients fully freighted on the limiter..

Has simon got charringtons fuel oils on his list they ran a few f7 artic oil tankers. I remember leggettes f7 on the british sugar contract pulling a matching tault liner trailer always looked very clean..

First wagon I traveled in as a kid 1985 Volvo f6 milk tanker with a range change as apposed to the zf the older ones had went off the road in July 1997, and accidentally set alight when a machanic was breaking a part of her in around 2004-5

My 1st truck 8 wheeler rigid F7 16 speed with the splitter on the dash pulling coal my next was a brand new F Reg FL10 8 speed still pulling coal difference was night and day still remember the reg F769JTY

lovely truck head of their time

Am pretty sure, that was supplied, by John Hebb, at Wootton, north Lincolnshire, I knew a few Volvo,s with similar registrations.

Another great video lads. I’m currently restoring a Scania LKT111 (set forward axle) I’m interested in purchasing Simon’s book. Where could I buy a copy?

I drove mine for 10yr only minor hiccups always got home, 36 ton gross 11700 bricks with self stack trailer most days

Always wondered why so many of these where used in the UK?

East anglia