Shelvoke & Drewry was a British manufacturer of specialised commercial vehicles. Founded in 1922 to produce the SD Freighter Shelvoke & Drewry ceased trading in 1991. It was best known for its innovative waste collection vehicles, which were once the preferred choice of municipal authorities in the UK. It also manufactured fire engines, buses and fork-lift trucks.
The company ceased trading in 1991, however a large number of S&D vehicles remain either in operational service or are in preservation in museums or by private individuals. Below is a listing of known preserved Shelvoke and Drewry vehicles.
The SD Freighter was in production from the formation of Shelvoke & Drewry Ltd. in 1922 until the very last Freighter was manufactured in 1955. Conceived as a light lorry the SD Freighter soon proved to be popular for refuse collection with its low loading height, small turning circle and simple control utilising two handles, known as "Tillers".
SD Freighter. Year of Manufacture: 1925 Original Owner: WH Allen, Bedford. Owner: Present Owner unknown. Location: Bedfordshire.
This Freighter was produced for WH Allen Sons & Co. of Bedford, manufacturers of marine and aero engines in 1925 who also operated a standard SD Freighter at this time. Modified to
carry an amazing ten ton load the altered gear ratios restricted the Freighter to just 3 m.p.h. The front wheels were built up with wooden felloes and steel tyres whilst the oversize rear wheels were steel castings. The Freighter returned to Letchworth in the mid 1970s for retirement. A worthy working life of some 50 years.
SD Freighter. Year of Manufacture: 1927
Original Owner: Borough of Folkestone.
Custodian: Malcolm Bates. Location: Bedfordshire.
Started as a demonstrator in June 1927, sold in 1929 to Folkestone, used by them until 1946, then used as a sewer maintenance vehicle until 1966. Restored to 1922 condition by SD apprentices in 1968. (That year the 40 Club was formed for employees with 40 or more years service at the Company). Became property of Dennis when S&D closed. With the Shuttleworth collection at Old Warden Bedfordshire, then Coventry Museum of Motor Transport until Malcolm Bates became custodian in the summer of 2003.
KP 7670 has appeared more than once on the HCVS Annual London to Brighton run.
The SD Freighter is driven using two tillers located to the left and right of the driver – one to control steering the other the gearbox – and two foot pedals – an accelerator and a brake.
SD Freighter with flat bed body. Year of Manufacture: 1929 Original Owner: Pierce & Co., Co. Wexford, Ireland.
Owner: David Johnston. Location: Co. Cavan, Ireland.
This Freighter was used by Pierce & Co. for the transport of raw materials and finished farm machinery to and from the docks and railway station and was in use up to the 1960s. Then for a time it was owned by brewers Smithwick's of Kilkenny. It was then acquired by the
An Dun Transport & Heritage Museum, near Athlone in Co. West Meath, Ireland. In October 2010 it was purchased by David Johnston and has been fully restored and re-painted in the livery of McCreath Taylor – Tar Importers.
SD Freighter. Year of Manufacture: Believed to be 1920/30 Chassis Number: 012751 Original Owner: Possibly Kendal U.D.C. Owner: Present Owner unknown. Location: Bangor, Northern Ireland.
This Freighter chassis was purchased by its present owner in 2011 with the aim of restoration. Since around 1982 it had been in private hands in North East England. That owner had purchased it after it had been used for internal transport by Associated Lead Ltd of Newcastle upon Tyne.
SD Freighter. Year of Manufacture: Believed to be 1920/30 Original Owner: Possibly Whickham Council near Gateshead. Owner: Amberley Working Museum Location: Sussex.
This Freighter chassis was purchased by its present owner in 2011 for use as spares for the replica Tramocar Reg. No. BP 9822 at the Amberley Museum. Since around 1982 it had been in private hands in North East England. That owner had purchased it after it had been used for internal transport by Associated Lead Ltd of Newcastle upon Tyne.
SD Freighter with Chelsea type body. Year of Manufacture: 1934 Original Owner: Epsom & Ewell
Custodian: Southern Counties Historic Vehicles Preservation Trust (SCHVPT) Location: Sussex.
When BPL 73 and her sister Freighter DPF 432 were withdrawn from service with Epsom & Ewell Council instead of making a final trip to the scrapyard they were stored by the Council. Eventually the building they were stored in was to be demolished and one of the Freighters was offered to a group of enthusiasts from Worthing in the 1960s. This was long before the concept of preserving commercial vehicles had become established. The group is now known as the Southern Counties Historic Vehicle Preservation Trust who continue to care for this vehicle.
The Freighter has pneumatic tyres, accommodation for loaders including a fold down seat in the front compartment, and an electric headlamp. The Chelsea body is equipped with steel sliding shutters. BPL 73 has taken part in several HCVS London to Brighton runs and is regularly rallied. The Freighter appeared in the film version of Dad's Army. A photo of BPL 73 appears on the front cover of Barrie Woods book on Municipal Refuse Collection Vehicles.
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