DAF Danzas Detective

Old trailers deserve just as much attention as old trucks, and a Saturday spent wandering among rows of vintage commercials turned up plenty worth writing about. First among them is a Danzas drawbar trailer, found in noticeably better condition than much of what surrounded it.

A Rare Sight in the UK

What made this trailer stand out was how unusual it seemed. Few Danzas drawbars come to mind on British roads, and in fact none could be recalled at all. The trailer was built by DAF, which suggests it may have belonged to a haulier who subcontracted for Danzas or else worked out of the Netherlands.

Clues at the Rear

Moving to the back of the trailer, it carried extra mud flaps, the kind of detail that points to a driver who took pride in his equipment, perhaps an owner driver. Yet despite the DAF build, the rear lights and a London Boroughs permit indicate the trailer was operated in the UK, at least towards the end of its working life.

A Name Emerges

The photographs were posted online on the Saturday to see whether anyone could identify the trailer or its operator. A response came back within a couple of hours, along with another photograph of the same outfit.

Michael Edwards wrote: “This is Dave Princes wagon and drag from Avonmouth. I think Chris Amos was the driver.”

It certainly looks like the right trailer, and as noted, there cannot have been many Danzas drawbars in the UK. Anyone with further information is welcome to add it.

More findings from that Saturday’s wander, and more trailer detective work, will follow.