The telephone network in the Federal Republic began to boom at the end of the 1960s. Omnipresent were the colossal tractor-trailer combinations carrying drums with the cables that later disappeared in dug-up trenches stretching many kilometres. The flanks of the giant wooden reels bore the name of the manufacturer: Kabelwerke Rheydt. As a transport vehicle, the Hanomag-Henschel was up to date, as the two companies from Hanover and Kassel had just joined forces. As a matter of fact, these trucks personify German post-war history to this day. Independently of each other, Hanomag and Henschel had advanced the motorization of Germany after the Second World War in a way that literally set the tonnage-hungry Economic Miracle era in motion. While Henschel stood for heavy trucks in Kassel, Hanomag served in the lighter single-ton category. Effective 01 April 1969, Rheinstahl incorporated the commercial vehicle divisions from the two companies Hanomag and Henschel into the newly founded Hanomag-Henschel-Fahrzeugwerke GmbH. At the same time, Daimler-Benz initially acquired 51% of the shares, but increased them to 100% only a year later. This created a powerful “full-line operator” under the management of the corporation from Stuttgart.

Upper part of driver’s cab papyrus white, lower part of driver's cab light blue. Interior anthracite grey. Chassis with cardan part and rear double fenders light blue. High-side flatbed papyrus white with silver base inserts. Front with silver Hanomag-Henschel lettering and ornamental strip. Side indicators imprinted orange. Sides of the cable drum sapphire blue with white “Rheydt” lettering, cable drum holder with wooden look.