Chinese Six wheel arrangement

[Eyersey468]

Does anyone know how the wheel arrangement of 2 steering axles at the front of a vehicle such as on the Bedford VAL got the name of Chinese Six?

 

[eastwestdivide]

六 is the Chinese for 6, which isn't much help!
Was the arrangement common on Chinese vehicles? As if they'd be common in the UK at that period!

 

[Gloster]

I found an item on the UK Professional Drivers Forum that said it was because the Chinese read from right to left, which is back to front to western eyes (but who are we to cast the first stone at an ancient culture). Having two axles at the front and one at the back looks to be the wrong way round, so the association with Chinese writing. I do not claim that this is definitely the truth, but it is at least plausible.

 

[eastwestdivide]

Found another source which suggests 'Chinese' as a derogatory term for anything back-to-front.

Chinese Six

Chinese Six

www.hcvc.com.au

'Chinese' referred to anything 'a*se about face' or similar

 

[Eyersey468]

Found another source which suggests 'Chinese' as a derogatory term for anything back-to-front.

Chinese Six

Chinese Six

www.hcvc.com.au

Aah I see, thanks

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 Nov 2025 ==

I found an item on the UK Professional Drivers Forum that said it was because the Chinese read from right to left, which is back to front to western eyes (but who are we to cast the first stone at an ancient culture). Having two axles at the front and one at the back looks to be the wrong way round, so the association with Chinese writing. I do not claim that this is definitely the truth, but it is at least plausible.

Thanks @Gloster it's certainly plausible