I know the CSV was designed and built to help keep the crew as safe as possible in an accident, and based on how more traditional fire appliance crew cabs used to come apart so easily at the time the CSV was introduced, it was a very worthwhile effort.
Despite the fact that styling was not the priority, I always liked the way they looked - not least because they were very different from most other lorries in those days. They looked modern, clean and purposeful. To my mind, they even looked fast when they were standing still!
The angled rear body looked good too, but I'm not sure it was necessary, and must have added to the cost without bringing any practical benefit.
Speaking of cost, the cost was presumably the reason these CSV units did not sell well. Back then employee safety was often thought to be "very nice" but not a serious concern - certainly not worth paying extra for. Even today, with much safer cabs than in those long gone days in the past, many fire services all over the World report more firefighter injuries from road accidents than from fireground incidents.
Despite the fact that styling was not the priority, I always liked the way they looked - not least because they were very different from most other lorries in those days. They looked modern, clean and purposeful. To my mind, they even looked fast when they were standing still!
The angled rear body looked good too, but I'm not sure it was necessary, and must have added to the cost without bringing any practical benefit.
Speaking of cost, the cost was presumably the reason these CSV units did not sell well. Back then employee safety was often thought to be "very nice" but not a serious concern - certainly not worth paying extra for. Even today, with much safer cabs than in those long gone days in the past, many fire services all over the World report more firefighter injuries from road accidents than from fireground incidents.
Added by Rob Johnson on 07 November 2021.