Research, development and testing are all essential stages in getting successful products on the market. They are particularly important in the automotive industry where reliability is vital. While some manufacturers rely on independent establishments like MIRA (Motor Industry Research Association) at Nuneaton, others have the resources to afford their own. In the case of Vauxhall Motors the latter was true and, as part of the mighty General Motors empire they really went to town in the late ‘60s and created what was then the largest and best equipped proving ground in Europe.
Before the Vauxhall Motors Proving Ground (VMPG) at Millbrook was established, the Luton based manufacturer already had extensive testing facilities at Chaul End near Luton. While that was in itself an excellent test ground with a wide range of facilities, there was no comparison between that and the new Millbrook development.
GM spared no expense on the construction, it cost a cool £3.5 million (equivalent to over £40 million in today’s money). That was a huge investment at that time and almost as much as some major motorway sections cost. The general planning and design of Millbrook was based on GM’s existing Milford test track near Michigan. There was even a similarity in the name.
Denne historien er fra November 2020-utgaven av Truck & Driver.
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Denne historien er fra November 2020-utgaven av Truck & Driver.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Well forked Daf
Remember, we like to cover all sorts of different trucks here at T&D – like this impressive new CF rigid complete with Moffett Mounty forklift
King of the hill
Moving heavy equipment off road calls for a truck with plenty of power and traction, which is why M&J Plant chose a mighty 6x4 FH16 750
Time Machine 2015-2019
It’s the final part of our series on the history of UK haulage. Let’s look back at those innocent times before that pesky virus turned up
Original and best
There are few trucks which have been customised to the level of the Scania 143, but let’s not forget that the standard product was pretty awesome just as it left the factory, like this rare 420
GOING ALL THE WAY
Simon Rogers got behind the wheel as soon as he was able to, and nearly 30 years later, his company is going from strength to strength, with a striking all-black, top-spec Iveco S-Way 570 the latest addition to the fleet
Abnormal loads
In the distant past, when dinosaurs roamed the planet, truck drivers were a very different breed, made from sterner stuff than us mere mortals
Range change
After a gap of 13 years, Renault trucks have reappeared in the unique colours of MacRitchie Highland Distribution. T&D takes the high road to Inverness to meet owners, Donald and Catriona MacRitchie
Cutting a dash
Freshly showered and munching a healthy egg and cress sarnie in Gloucester North services, Chris has a Foden update
Air we go!
On Saturday 29 May at 6pm, 240 drivers gathered with their trucks at South Mimms Services for a parade to raise vital money for Essex & Hertfordshire Air Ambulance
A Cutt Above
From coal to turf to fencing and loads more, there’s not much the Calcutt fleet hasn’t transported over the years
