misnomer, standing for 'eight wheel light artillery tractor, retained when the design was abbreviated by one axle to reduce length and weight, and improve handling). Conceived to meet a requirement for a simple easily produced and maintained alternative to the effective but costly and complicated Quad 4 x 4 tractor, the Dennis design steered on the first pair of wheels but dispensed with springs, substituting six oversized tyres for conventional suspension. A centre-control driving position in a shallow lightly armoured body provided with ammunition lockers and sheltered under an overall canvas tilt resulted in a vehicle not instantly recognisable as truck. (Prototypes used a box body in place of the simple platform and conventional cab). Early models were powered by twin coupled Bedford engines but the final design was powered by a powerful Leyland 9.8 litre engine. Length was 20 feet (6 metres), height 7 ft 6 inches (2.3 metres) high. Despite promising test results no production order was forthcoming. Joint ventures UMW-Dennis Specialist Vehicles - joint venture with UMW, based in Malaysia (1995–2002), renamed UMW Vehicle Components after the end of joint venture Thomas Dennis - joint venture with Thomas Built Buses, based in the United States (1999–2003), renamed DaimlerChrysler Commercial Buses North Carolina after the end of joint venture Notes References External links Dennis Group website John Dennis Coachbuilders - Fire Engine Manufacturers - Specialist Fire Vehicle Bodybuilder Dennis Mowers Dennis Society Dennis Specialist Vehicles records at Surrey History Centre Alexander Dennis Companies based in Guildford Defunct companies based in Surrey Defunct bus manufacturers of the United Kingdom Defunct motor vehicle manufacturers of England Defunct truck manufacturers of the United Kingdom Emergency services equipment makers Vehicle manufacturing companies established in 1895 Vehicle manufacturing companies disestablished in 2004 1895 establishments in England 2004 disestablishments in England