Still trucking – Manheim’s RTX debut has starring role for WW2’s ‘Nancy’
A timeworn truck famed for her World War Two heroics will join the Manheim team at their first-ever Road Transport Expo (RTX) appearance.
The Bedford QLD, nicknamed ‘Nancy’ in honour of its wartime driver’s beloved wife, will be front and centre at the three-day dedicated truck show on 4-6 June. Its final day falls on the 80th anniversary of D-Day.
The annual trade event allows Manheim Auction Services (MAS) to highlight its credentials as a viable remarketing partner and stock source for truck and plant.
Chris Mynott, National HGV & Plant Manager at Manheim Auction Services, said: “It will be an honour to look after Nancy at our first-ever RTX show. She is a priceless piece of military history, and without her, her driver’s efforts, and others like him, we would all probably be living in a very different world.
“It’s also a privilege to attend this specialist truck show and speak to customers old and new. MAS has that history and expertise that shows we mean business when it comes to plant and truck. Our new industrial arm is seeing more and more vendors and we’re now offering a wide variety of truck and plant machinery for auction every week.”
Three-tonne Nancy landed on Juno Beach on 6 June 1944, piloted by RAF driver David Teacher. They exited a landing craft onto the Canadian section of the Normandy coastline as Luftwaffe bombs exploded around them.
Last year, David – who was made an MBE for his charity work – was reunited with the cargo truck after it was repainted in the livery of 83 Tactical Air Force, 103 Beach Flight, who were the first unit to land on the Normandy beaches on D-Day.
Chris added, “RTX will, as always, showcase the latest trends, technologies and innovations for truck and plant professionals. It’s a fantastic opportunity for Manheim to engage with customers, network with peers, and demonstrate the unique value that we can offer players in the sector.”
Chris said: “It’s a great testament to British engineering that Nancy is still operational. I’m sure she’ll win a few admirers at RTX and we look forward to welcoming visitors to our stand.”
More than 52,000 Bedford trucks of Nancy’s type were built in the 1940s. Today, less than 50 working models are thought to exist worldwide.
Nancy QLD stats:
- 28hp 6 Cylinder Petrol
- 72 BHP
- Top Speed 28MPH
- Range – 156 Miles (on 28 Gallons)
- Laden Weight – 6 Ton
Read more about Manheim’s truck and plant solutions here.
