В 1955 модельный ряд автомобилей «Chrysler Imperial» выделяется в отдельную линию. Компания активно скупает европейские автопредприятия: в 1963 покупает 40% акций испанской компании Barreiros, в 1964 — 30% акций британского автомобильного консорциума Rootes Group , в 1966-67 — около 80% акций французской фирмы «Симка» . Впоследствии происходит объединение в единый центр Chrysler . Он начал производить автомобиль Dodge 50 Series , (позже Renault 50 - Renault Vehicules Industriels RVI).
Reynolds Boughton разработал, с помощью компании Countytrac , (отделение M.J. Allen Group , специализировшейся как многие другие фирмы на переделке шасси) на платформе Dodge 50 автомобиль Reynolds Boughton RB510 (4x4) классической FWD model B компановки, используя агрегаты британского "Ford County 4x4" . Коробка переключения передач механическая, Dana Spicer, раздаточная 2-ступечатая коробка собственного производства, колесные мосты марки Dodge RAM.
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The Ford Transit , possibly the most successful and recognisable van in the UK. Originally launched in the UK in 1965, it was available in countless combinations of bodywork, trim, engine and gearbox. One of these options was for a four-wheel-drive variant, capable of going where the regular two-wheel-drive Transit would struggle.
A handful of companies offered 4x4 conversions, the most popular of which was provided by County Tractors of Knighton in Powys, who converted vans on behalf of Ford Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) as a factory option. The first Transit County models were based on the Mk2 Transit model, both long and short wheelbase.The conversion comprised of a Dana 44F front axle and NP208 transfer box (both lifted from the Ford Bronco), three custom propshafts to connect the transmission to the transfer box and then to the axles, heavy duty leaf springs, larger front brake discs, heavy duty steering box, and a rear subframe to increase the ride height. The rear axle was a standard Transit item, and 16 inch rims were fitted all round.
Mainly used by utility companies like National Grid, by the MOD, and mountain rescue teams, the Transit County 4x4 proved to be a capable vehicle both on and off road, with the ability to carry both crew and equipment just about anywhere.
With the introduction of the Mk3 Transit in 1986 came the next generation of the County 4x4. This would prove to be a very popular and successful version of the Transit County 4x4, and the last to use the beam axle layout. Later (1991 and onwards) County 4x4 models switched to using an independent front suspension setup which was inherently more complex in design than the earlier beam axle models.
Later panel vans also lost the twin-wheel rear axle that had been fitted on earlier LWB versions. Design and supply of drivetrain components for County 4x4 models has more recently been by Countytrac , a division of the M.J. Allen Group, who are still actively involved in the development of the latest Mk7 AWD Transit and Connect models.
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