The great ACCO - and how they began

[jpduvey]

In a previous posting there was some mention of the Aussie ACCO, and its similarity to the CMP, Hence the occasional miss-identification as Inter-Blitzes

Research on the great Aussie ACCO with the remains of the International Harvester Company of Australia (or what remains of it since its take over by Iveco of Italy), reveals an interesting tale.

In the late 1950's, The Australian Army began the search for a purpose built truck to replace its ageing fleet of World War 2 Blitzes(CMP's) some Studebaker US6's and GMC 2 1/2 tonners.

Interim trucks had been sought from the UK, in the form of COMMER Q4's and Humber 1 tonners. But the environmental conditions of Australia were too harsh for the English engineering of the time.

Tenders were sought and a specification was published.

International took the tender and began research for a prototype model. Soldiers both retired and serving at the time were asked by the R&D department of the company, what they wanted from their Army trucks. There was a resounding call for a truck much like the Blitzes. Forward control (cab over) and forward sloping opening windscreens were the most notable features requested.

Army requirements listed selectable all-wheel drive, PTO driven recovery winch, Standardized NATO wheel patterns on 12.00 x 20 tyres, and single wheel tracking.

International decided in a brainstorming meeting to use many of the components that they were already producing for their range of agricultural machinery - both trucks and harvesters.

By strengthening the chassis of their civilian truck range they felt that they could produce a chassis that would meet the conditions that it may have to endure.

Research and Development bought a Chev Blitz from a disposal auction and sent it to the carpentry department for the initial cab prototype. The Carpenter's brief was to "fit this Blitz cab to this chassis". after many hours of work the original International AACO was born.

AACO Mk1 No1 as it was known was an acronym for Australian Army Cab Over- Mark 1 Number 1.

Later, this truck went through a series of modifications and alterations with several versions becoming available. 4 x 4 general service and 6 x 6 general service, gun tractor with hydraulic crane, Recovery Truck, Dump Truck and even a Garbage compactor.

The AACO's "baptism of fire" was to be the Vietnam War, and after several encounters many AACO's "lost" their doors for ease of escape by the crew and other unnecessary accessories. One soldier when questioned by an Officer as to the whereabouts of the doors of his new truck, replied "That's how I got it sir!"

The excellent performance of these hybrid trucks during the Vietnam War, lead International to realise that they were "on a winner" with the AACO's design and began marketing a civilian version, rebadged as the ACCO - Australian Constructed Cab Over.

These trucks have left the Dandenong plant of International Harvester Co. Australia, for more than Thirty years, travelling as far abroad as Africa, Europe and Britain. However upon purchase of the company by Iveco the beloved ACCO lost her International name tag in favour of Iveco's badging. And in 2002, Iveco withdrew the name ACCO, instead calling the range bloody "Euro-Tech".

So much for Aussie Icons.

Jean Du Vey.

Picture is of a AACO Mk 1 No 1 unrestored in Australia.