A RECORD INNINGS.

The Company phased out production of the D3.152 in Peterborough at the end of June 2005. This finally closed the door on the ‘P Series’ engines that were the backbone of production from the late 30's to the 60's, although some production of engines based on the P3 in Pakistan and India still continued.

The P3, and its successive upgrades the P3.144, 3.152, D3.152, 3.1522, 3.1524 and 900 Series, is now the undisputed champion in terms of production life – at least for Perkins and possibly for any diesel engine ever produced! The engine was designed by Charles Chapman back in 1938 and even exhibited in London (as a mock up) that year. It was originally to be called the ‘Python’, alongside the P6 (Panther) and P4 (Puma) but the names were dropped after mild remonstrations by the makers of the ‘Panther’ motorcycle and so the more familiar, if less exciting, designations were introduced.

In 1952 the P3 finally made it into production - the delay being due to the war years as well as the success of the P6 and P4. The early applications were limited to tractor conversions such as the ‘little grey Fergie’ - plus an unlikely interest for light vehicles such as Trojan and Seddon vans (in spite of the engine’s characteristic rough running due to the firing order!)

Production volumes grew slowly until the late 1950s when Ford decided to use a derivative of the engine, known as the F3, with Simms fuel injection equipment and Dagenham-produced block and head castings, in their new Dexta tractor. Massey Ferguson also introduced the engine in the MF35, starting a relationship destined to run and run, with successive model changes of both engine and tractor, right into the new century.

The highest volume produced at Peterborough was in 1963, when 102,573 engines were produced – more than half of that year’s total output! Variants of the engine were sold in all sectors of the market, with the exception of vehicle applications, and the little engine became an important if unsung contributor in the spread of diesel power worldwide. Many of the worldwide Perkins licensees produced the P3 locally: the engine endeared itself to users through its basic simplicity, reliability and ruggedness.

The introduction of a hand-cranking system with decompressor allowed the engine to be used in boats in developing areas without the need for electrical power: the Ceylon Government used it to revitalise their fishing industry. The MF 35 tractor is shown above.

Other units found themselves on remote mountain tops in Mexico, where they provided power for microwave transmitters supporting the country’s expanding telecommunications network, as well as the more usual tractors, fork lift trucks, etc.

Over two million P3 family engines were made in Peterborough, with countless others manufactured around the world. Many of these are still in use today, providing reliable power for their owners and continuing the tradition of service started so long ago through the inspiration of Frank Perkins and Charles Chapman. Not many engines have achieved over 50 years of production, for a ‘workhorse’ product that is quite an innings!

Article produced by David Boulton in April 2005 and amended July 2009.

The P3 in Ferguson conversion specification. The MF 35 tractor powered by a D3.152