The Truck Book - The Definitive Visual History

The Truck Book
A Definitive Visual History of Lorries, Trucks, Vans, and Everything in Between

Overview
The Truck Book is a lavishly illustrated celebration of trucks and trucking—from the first motorized wagons to the cutting-edge, driverless freight vehicles of today. It charts decade after decade of innovation, change, and cultural impact, evoking the freedom and nostalgia of the open road.

Historical Journey

• Origins: Trucks, lorries, and vans trace their roots back to the steam wagons of the late 1800s and the invention of the modern combustion engine in the 1870s.

• Technological Shift: As steam gave way to petrol and diesel, trucks evolved into a wide range of vehicles—panel vans, pick-up trucks, heavy goods vehicles (HGVs), and specialised construction trucks such as log carriers and concrete transporters.

• Defining Roles: Over the past century, trucks have played vital roles in wartime logistics, served as ambulances and fire engines, and even entertained as monster trucks.

Cultural and Industrial Impact
The book explores how trucking culture developed, and how companies such as UPS and Eddie Stobart earned a loyal following. It highlights the romance of the open road and the communities built around these powerful machines.

Iconic Models and Marques
Each chapter features the most important and influential vehicles of their time, including:

• Ford TT

• Bedford TM Turbo 92 Series

• Toyota Hilux

Visual and Informative Features
The Truck Book blends:

• Stunning photographic catalogues of vehicles

• Specially commissioned visual tours

• Feature spreads on models, designers, and manufacturers

• Profiles of milestone events and key technological developments from the last 120 years

Why It Stands Out
With its combination of rich imagery, historical detail, and cultural insight, The Truck Book stands as the most comprehensive and beautifully illustrated title available on the history and culture of trucks.