DUNTON, UK – Did you know that Forty years ago, this unique six-wheeled Transit rig took part in the legendary Cannonball Run – a 3,000-mile, unofficial dash from Connecticut to California.
In the second of our mini-series of Transit Memories stories we bring you Triple-T – a one-off Transit - driven across America by Basildon-based Ford engineer John Hitchins, and Truck magazine publisher Andrew Frankl.
It took them three days to complete the gruelling journey, and, on the way, they had to contend with falling rocks, deep snow and – just 600 miles from the end – brake failure, too.
Although, they were classified last, the organisers were so impressed they presented them with a special trophy with the inscription “Last, but not Lost”.
John passed away nine years ago, but his son Peter Hitchins – a Dunton-based Ford Pro Bluelight Conversions Specialist in Special Vehicles – has fond memories of his dad talking about the run.
“I was only seven at the time and couldn’t understand why I wasn’t allowed to go with him. Triple-T was almost a member of the family at the time and did turn a few heads when parked on our drive or dropping me off at school,” he said.
“Triple-T (Truck’s Transit and Trailer) was commissioned by Truck Magazine but was completed at Dunton. When Dad was asked to participate with Andrew, he said yes halfway through the question being asked. The Cannonball Run was an invite only event to protest against the 55mph speed limit in the US organised by Brock Yates, who later went on to do the film based on the 1979 event. “
Not far into their journey across the states they passed Three Mile Island Nuclear Power Station in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, which at the time was the scene of the biggest nuclear incident in U.S history.
Peter added: “Dad said they were the last vehicle that drove past the Power Station before the road was closed, apparently on the tail of a local Truck Driver who was returning home and insisting that he be let through, so when asked was that before or after the core went critical his response was ‘during..... quickly!!!!’.”
Sadly, Triple-T is no longer around, but John enjoyed a long and rewarding career with Ford before retiring in 2000.
“Dad went on to be an original member of SVE working for Rod Mansfield, and worked on all the original Performance Fords, everything from the original XR2 & 2.8i Capri and Series 1 Escort Turbo through to the Sierra and Escort Cosworth,” Peter said.
