An Austin Loadstar used as a getaway vehicle during the Great Train Robbery is to feature at this year’s Footman James Classic Motor Show at the NEC from 16-18 November.
Bought by the robbers from the War Department, the truck was fitted with a secret compartment (hidden between the chassis rails) to store the £3 million worth of loot.
The khaki-green lorry was escorted from the heist to the villains’ hideout by two similarly finished Land-Rovers – the crooks working on the theory that the police would not stop what looked to be an Army convoy.
When discovered by Scotland Yard, the truck was confiscated before being sold to a Margate showroom where it was displayed for five years.
It was later acquired from a Yorkshire scrapyard by the Cae Dai Trust Museum in Denbigh, north Wales, but was nearly destroyed during an arson attack in 2009.
The lorry suffered smoke and fire damage in the blaze, and will be shown at the Classic Motor Show in the hope of raising funds towards its restoration.
To buy tickets for the event or to find out more, click here.
