The rugged and reliable Karrier truck appeared in 1907, when Clayton & Company Limited produced a powerful engine-powered truck designed to tackle the hills of Yorkshire and offer large cargo space with a compact overall length.
In the first year production of these Karrier trucks was only 15, but by 1910 production had increased to 46 vehicles of two types: A60 with cab over engine and B60 with conventional steering. Both were rated at 3 tons ("including body"), although the Karrier catalog showed an illustration of a flatbed A60 carrying an impressively large load of 13 large bales stacked in three rows, which must have exceeded that figure!
Power for the truck was provided by a four-cylinder engine with a displacement of 5,734 cc, driving the rear wheels via twin side chains. A three-speed transmission offered gear ratios equivalent to 3, 6.5, and 12 mph plus reverse. It was claimed that the patented metal-to-metal clutch "minimizes excessive engine and transmission shocks caused by too fast a clutch, which contributes to longer vehicle life and a smoother ride."
It is believed that it was originally used to haul china clay in Cornwall. Around 1920 this Karrier was purchased by Walter Winchester, a coal and corn merchant. Winchester used this car little, storing it in a barn.
It is in gray with red chassis and wheels and features a folding hood over an impressively elevated driver's cab.
The reliability of Karrier's design is evidenced by the fact that Clayton & Company provided some 2,000 chassis during World War I, which were used as trucks during the conflict.
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