Engineering:ERF KV

ERF-KV
Overview
Manufacturer	ERF
Production	1954-1962 (although production of heavier-duty models continiued until 1972)
Body and chassis
Class	Medium-duty truck/Heavy-duty trucks
Layout	FR layout
Chronology
Predecessor	ERF A-Series
Successor	ERF C-series (medium-duty trucks) ERF B-Series (heavier-duty trucks)

The ERF KV were a series of medium-duty trucks produced by ERF from 1954 to 1962, as a replacement for the older ERF A-Series trucks, which started production in 1932. These trucks featured a modern oval grille and a curved split windscreen. In total around 48,000 of these trucks were produced and sold until production eventually ended, with the range being replaced by the more modern ERF C-series range of trucks, which were heavier than their predecessors.

Production of heavier-duty models continued until 1972, until the range was completely phased out and replaced by the ERF B-Series of trucks. These trucks were exported in some countries, such as South Africa , India , Ireland, Norway and Pakistan .

History

Work on a replacement for the ERF A-Series or ERF 63 models had started in 1952, since by that time the vehicle was clearly very outdated, however, it was clear that the company did not have enough funds to produce a new truck model, however, by that time over 9,000 A-Series trucks (excluding military production) had been produced, which despite being very low, was enough to raise the funds in producing a new truck, but there would be many limitations, an example is that the new truck, called the KV range, would be based on the A-Series trucks, but would have a new cab and a more modern dashboard.

The KV name stands for Kleer Vue. The design of the truck quickly became very iconic, and they were preferred by many businesses as they were very reliable, and for this reason, many have survived to this day, and a few of them are still used as workhorses.

Compared to other offerings from British Ford, Leyland Motors, Bedford Vehicles and Commer, the KV was more reliable, but was not much faster than them, but had more carrying capacity, however, as it was pretty expensive compared to the competition, around 48,000 of them were sold compared to other trucks which sold many more copies.

Compared to the A-Series trucks, the KV range sold much more copies and was much more profitable for the company. In 1962 the medium-duty versions were discontinued and replaced by the ERF C-series trucks, but the production of the heavier-duty versions continued until 1972, when they were completely replaced by the ERF B-Series trucks that started getting produced in 1968.

Gallery

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  An ERF KV tanker truck

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  An ERF KV platform truck

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  An ERF KV converted into a bruck

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  Another ERF KV platform truck

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  An ERF KV truck with a more modern counterpart

External Links

• HCVS 50th Annual Trans-Pennine Run 2018: 1962 ERF KV.
• 1962 ERF KV Tipper 'G. Breward & Son' reg WHH 397
• ERF Guide
• Jimmy Munro and new ERF low loader
• Retro Trucks 1963 ERF KV Cars photo