Rufus Carr from the Northern Territory is an absolute mine for classic photos of trucks - particularly those that were bombing around the NT in the 1970s. Naturally, he read Cam McFadyen's recent R700 round-up and, happily, he's dropped me a line with some great photos in response. Here's what he had to say: The City Wreckers R700 was registered 126.298 (it's on the fuel card). She was Buntine's No.16 "Call of the Wild" although the name is not on it in these pics. Taken in Alice Springs in 1979 the truck is just back from a rebuild in Brisbane after a roll-over near Mt.Isa late in 1978. She is pulling two Gitsham bitumen tankers on contract to Shell Co. She was one of a pair owned by the company, the other was (un-named) No.14. There were two other similar Cummins R700s running in BRL colours. Both were owned by subbies. Number 20 was owned by Peter Deans and was mechanically the same as No. 14 & 16 but had the rare RP cab. Number 9,"The Gentle Giant" was owned by Jim McHours and differed slightly from the others in that she had Jim's favoured transmission - a 5x4 twin-stick Spicer.
Many thanks Rufo for these wonderful pics. It's great to make these historical links.
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