10-4 Magazine April 2024

10-4 Magazine / April 2024 59 soon afterwards, he found a new facility at Ophirton in South Johannesburg. The second chassis built was a special for the South African Defense Force. It was a huge 10x10 twin steer tractor unit which was powered by a Detroit Diesel V12 with Allison gearbox and Clark axles. The role of the 105-ton gross weight combination was to move 66-ton Centurion tanks at the quite rapid speed of 40 mph. This no. 2 tractor was later sold to a company called Trojan Transport (photo #3). The tank transporter proved to be a bit of a diversion for Lewis, as he of Randfontein, SA. The conventional design also changed to a more Stateside look. The nice wrap-around windshield design gave way to an unsophisticated, flat, two screen front panel, and the twin headlights were now integrated into the front fenders (photo #5). The next chapter started with a request from Consolidated Diamond Mines (CDM) of South West Africa, to see if Ralph could help with some of their transportation problems. CDM needed a large, heavy duty, articulated vehicle to carry diamond-ferrous ore from their open cast mines to the processing plant. The 50-ton capacity articulated tipper would have to be capable of speeds of 50 mph. Lewis came up with a 6x4 normal control design which would be powered by a Cummins VT1710, a 500 horsepower V12 diesel engine, coupled to a Clark 8-speed torque converter transmission, and a Clark rear bogie. Seeing the proposed specifications, the engineers at CDM were unsure of the vehicle’s potential. They decided to visit the USA to see firsthand a large and comparably spec’d Kenworth truck, working in forestry logging. On their return to SA, they gave the thumbs up to what would become the Ralph C12C3. A second C12C3 was produced, but this was powered by a Detroit Diesel V12 motor. After testing and suitability in operation, another two tractor units were ordered. The CDM decision to employ Ralph trucks for their transport needs was no doubt based on using a truck builder on their doorstep and all the benefits that go with it (photo #6). was really interested in building chassis for the SA commercial marketplace. As mentioned, Lewis was a big fan of American design and, just like the US approach, “There is no such thing as a standard truck,” he thought. Custom building would be the way forward. To satisfy all potential customers, he decided on two styles of conventional and COE types. The next few orders included four-axle conventional tractors. Also, the South African Railways (SAR) transport division wanted four heavy duty 6x4 tractors for moving abnormal loads. These were fitted with the GM Detroit Diesel V8 engines and Allison gearboxes. After completion, Lewis now put more emphasis on giving the trucks model numbers, and the SAR tractors were known as the G8A3 (photo #4). The pace quickened and 1970 marked the completion of the twelfth chassis. The old problem of unsuitable premises re-emerged for Lewis, and he set out to look for better ones. Alrode, Alberton became the setting for the latest facility. At this time, Cummins now recognized Lewis as a legitimate truck manufacturer and, consequently, would supply engines to Ralph. Also, at this juncture, the first forward COE of an American design was introduced and two were ordered by Rio Rita Tankers #5 #6 #7