Saviem's fan club (Part 1)

[saviem]

Fergie47:

pete smith:
Hi Fergie,
Cracking photo’s mate, I feel like a holiday in France to visit a few rallies to see these motors but will have to talk the other half in to it, may have to finish the decorating after all

Pete Smith…you two faced git !!! You were telling me to stand up to Mrs Fergie the other day, and now you’re saying you will. “have to talk Mrs Smith about coming to France”… Just TELL her, like what you told me to…see, when it comes down to it, you’re just as scared as the rest of us…

Ah well…

Domestic “issues”…

Some years ago when I was in my" military vehicle collecting mode"…and I had enjoyed a day in the company of Paul Sutherington at Witham Specialist Vehicles…just collecting the odd bit for BV202E Snowcats, (of which I seemed to have acquired one or two, or three, or four, or…Anyway, I was quite pleased with my acquisitions, and I had , (what I considered to be a good deal) on some other bits and pieces, which would be delivered to me in due course…

On the way home I turned over various strategies on how to break the news of my purchases to the good lady…but I could not reach what I considered to be the ideal form of words…neither could I the next day, or the next, so best let it lie over the weekend…(and gain a few merit points by clearing the yard, repairing the Hen House, emptying the septic tank)…oh dear, I chose a sunny day, but still it was a good job done…

The following Monday, still struggling to arrive at the correct approach, and delicate form of words, I chose to wash off one of the tractors, and whil`st so engaged, I heard that blood curdling cry as my name was bellowed quite clearly above the sound of the pressure washer!..Ye Gods, what was wrong■■?

What was wrong was that my good lady, busy at the kitchen sink, (and the house that we lived in at that time was on a hill on the far corner of the farm, with a clear view of the road from the A5 as it climbed up to the village), and she had seen slowly climbing that hill two NATO green painted Scammell 6x2 T45s, carrying two Abbot 105MM self propelled guns, …

Oh dear…the moral of this story, its better to bite the bullet straight away, putting it off…well, it sort of makes it worse…and it did that day, (my wounds have just healed), thank you…and it was a good few years ago!

A good buy those Abbots, beautiful thing to drive, with that screaming Rolls multifuel…took, (and passed my catergory H licence in one of them),…but the air was a tad chilly for some time after that…I did a lot of decorating, polishing, …and gained my advanced class 1 Dyson licence as well!

Cheerio for now, must get a cup of Earl Grey to calm the memory.

[fergie47]

pete smith:

Fergie47:

pete smith:
Hi Fergie,
Cracking photo’s mate, I feel like a holiday in France to visit a few rallies to see these motors but will have to talk the other half in to it, may have to finish the decorating after all

Pete Smith…you two faced git !!! You were telling me to stand up to Mrs Fergie the other day, and now you’re saying you will. “have to talk Mrs Smith about coming to France”… Just TELL her, like what you told me to…see, when it comes down to it, you’re just as scared as the rest of us…

I will have to be nice Fergie as the Mrs has got a new company car and I have a knackered company Combo van with 160k on the clock, if it made it to France they would do me for fly tipping if it was seen parked up! And yes i’m scared incase she puts her foot down and stops me going down pub on way home from work!
[/quote]
…

[fergie47]

Saviem:

Fergie47:

pete smith:
Hi Fergie,
Cracking photo’s mate, I feel like a holiday in France to visit a few rallies to see these motors but will have to talk the other half in to it, may have to finish the decorating after all

Pete Smith…you two faced git !!! You were telling me to stand up to Mrs Fergie the other day, and now you’re saying you will. “have to talk Mrs Smith about coming to France”… Just TELL her, like what you told me to…see, when it comes down to it, you’re just as scared as the rest of us…

Ah well…

Domestic “issues”…

Some years ago when I was in my" military vehicle collecting mode"…and I had enjoyed a day in the company of Paul Sutherington at Witham Specialist Vehicles…just collecting the odd bit for BV202E Snowcats, (of which I seemed to have acquired one or two, or three, or four, or…Anyway, I was quite pleased with my acquisitions, and I had , (what I considered to be a good deal) on some other bits and pieces, which would be delivered to me in due course…

On the way home I turned over various strategies on how to break the news of my purchases to the good lady…but I could not reach what I considered to be the ideal form of words…neither could I the next day, or the next, so best let it lie over the weekend…(and gain a few merit points by clearing the yard, repairing the Hen House, emptying the septic tank)…oh dear, I chose a sunny day, but still it was a good job done…

The following Monday, still struggling to arrive at the correct approach, and delicate form of words, I chose to wash off one of the tractors, and whil`st so engaged, I heard that blood curdling cry as my name was bellowed quite clearly above the sound of the pressure washer!..Ye Gods, what was wrong■■?

What was wrong was that my good lady, busy at the kitchen sink, (and the house that we lived in at that time was on a hill on the far corner of the farm, with a clear view of the road from the A5 as it climbed up to the village), and she had seen slowly climbing that hill two NATO green painted Scammell 6x2 T45s, carrying two Abbot 105MM self propelled guns, …

Oh dear…the moral of this story, its better to bite the bullet straight away, putting it off…well, it sort of makes it worse…and it did that day, (my wounds have just healed), thank you…and it was a good few years ago!

A good buy those Abbots, beautiful thing to drive, with that screaming Rolls multifuel…took, (and passed my catergory H licence in one of them),…but the air was a tad chilly for some time after that…I did a lot of decorating, polishing, …and gained my advanced class 1 Dyson licence as well!

Cheerio for now, must get a cup of Earl Grey to calm the memory.

Can’t follow that one John, so after 2 ex army tanks, Mrs Saviem wouldn’t be too upset if you purchased that little Saviem JM200 then.? or does that come under “Fergie is stirring it”…
Pete Smiths a brave lad, perhaps he could tell Mrs Saviem that you must have it, as the name on the lorry matches your user name…fate really… In one way or another…

[pete_smith]

Fergie47:

Saviem:

Fergie47:

pete smith:
Hi Fergie,
Cracking photo’s mate, I feel like a holiday in France to visit a few rallies to see these motors but will have to talk the other half in to it, may have to finish the decorating after all

Pete Smith…you two faced git !!! You were telling me to stand up to Mrs Fergie the other day, and now you’re saying you will. “have to talk Mrs Smith about coming to France”… Just TELL her, like what you told me to…see, when it comes down to it, you’re just as scared as the rest of us…

Ah well…

Domestic “issues”…

Some years ago when I was in my" military vehicle collecting mode"…and I had enjoyed a day in the company of Paul Sutherington at Witham Specialist Vehicles…just collecting the odd bit for BV202E Snowcats, (of which I seemed to have acquired one or two, or three, or four, or…Anyway, I was quite pleased with my acquisitions, and I had , (what I considered to be a good deal) on some other bits and pieces, which would be delivered to me in due course…

On the way home I turned over various strategies on how to break the news of my purchases to the good lady…but I could not reach what I considered to be the ideal form of words…neither could I the next day, or the next, so best let it lie over the weekend…(and gain a few merit points by clearing the yard, repairing the Hen House, emptying the septic tank)…oh dear, I chose a sunny day, but still it was a good job done…

The following Monday, still struggling to arrive at the correct approach, and delicate form of words, I chose to wash off one of the tractors, and whil`st so engaged, I heard that blood curdling cry as my name was bellowed quite clearly above the sound of the pressure washer!..Ye Gods, what was wrong■■?

What was wrong was that my good lady, busy at the kitchen sink, (and the house that we lived in at that time was on a hill on the far corner of the farm, with a clear view of the road from the A5 as it climbed up to the village), and she had seen slowly climbing that hill two NATO green painted Scammell 6x2 T45s, carrying two Abbot 105MM self propelled guns, …

Oh dear…the moral of this story, its better to bite the bullet straight away, putting it off…well, it sort of makes it worse…and it did that day, (my wounds have just healed), thank you…and it was a good few years ago!

A good buy those Abbots, beautiful thing to drive, with that screaming Rolls multifuel…took, (and passed my catergory H licence in one of them),…but the air was a tad chilly for some time after that…I did a lot of decorating, polishing, …and gained my advanced class 1 Dyson licence as well!

Cheerio for now, must get a cup of Earl Grey to calm the memory.

Can’t follow that one John, so after 2 ex army tanks, Mrs Saviem wouldn’t be too upset if you purchased that little Saviem JM200 then.? or does that come under “Fergie is stirring it”…
Pete Smiths a brave lad, perhaps he could tell Mrs Saviem that you must have it, as the name on the lorry matches your user name…fate really… In one way or another…

Fergie you had the same idea as me about that JM200 unit, I think it would look nice with a little step frame flat trailer behind it, who knows you could always fit some ramps and put say a Star Flyer on the back of it !

[retired_old_fart]

With all the associated bric-a-brac/scrap metal/antiques/curios, of course!

[robert1952]

Anything on TV? Robert

And just look at that wheelbase! That must have been a good ride for the period. Robert

[john_west]

Saviem:

Fergie47:

pete smith:
Hi Fergie,
Cracking photo’s mate, I feel like a holiday in France to visit a few rallies to see these motors but will have to talk the other half in to it, may have to finish the decorating after all

Pete Smith…you two faced git !!! You were telling me to stand up to Mrs Fergie the other day, and now you’re saying you will. “have to talk Mrs Smith about coming to France”… Just TELL her, like what you told me to…see, when it comes down to it, you’re just as scared as the rest of us…

Ah well…

Domestic “issues”…

Some years ago when I was in my" military vehicle collecting mode"…and I had enjoyed a day in the company of Paul Sutherington at Witham Specialist Vehicles…just collecting the odd bit for BV202E Snowcats, (of which I seemed to have acquired one or two, or three, or four, or…Anyway, I was quite pleased with my acquisitions, and I had , (what I considered to be a good deal) on some other bits and pieces, which would be delivered to me in due course…

On the way home I turned over various strategies on how to break the news of my purchases to the good lady…but I could not reach what I considered to be the ideal form of words…neither could I the next day, or the next, so best let it lie over the weekend…(and gain a few merit points by clearing the yard, repairing the Hen House, emptying the septic tank)…oh dear, I chose a sunny day, but still it was a good job done…

The following Monday, still struggling to arrive at the correct approach, and delicate form of words, I chose to wash off one of the tractors, and whil`st so engaged, I heard that blood curdling cry as my name was bellowed quite clearly above the sound of the pressure washer!..Ye Gods, what was wrong■■?

What was wrong was that my good lady, busy at the kitchen sink, (and the house that we lived in at that time was on a hill on the far corner of the farm, with a clear view of the road from the A5 as it climbed up to the village), and she had seen slowly climbing that hill two NATO green painted Scammell 6x2 T45s, carrying two Abbot 105MM self propelled guns, …

Oh dear…the moral of this story, its better to bite the bullet straight away, putting it off…well, it sort of makes it worse…and it did that day, (my wounds have just healed), thank you…and it was a good few years ago!

A good buy those Abbots, beautiful thing to drive, with that screaming Rolls multifuel…took, (and passed my catergory H licence in one of them),…but the air was a tad chilly for some time after that…I did a lot of decorating, polishing, …and gained my advanced class 1 Dyson licence as well!

Cheerio for now, must get a cup of Earl Grey to calm the memory.

A few years ago, a chum of mine came into my office looking excited. As I made the tea, he started telling me about this new yacht that he’d ordered, two cabins, all the gear (I’m not into sailing, so I don’t remember the details).

'How much is it?'I politely enquired as we sipped our tea and I looked at a brochure which itself must have cost a small fortune.

‘90,000 quid.’ He said, without batting an eyelid. Sharp intake of breath from me!

‘What does Caroline have to say?’ I asked, wondering what his beloved thought of a purchase in which I knew she would have at least no interest, at worst would hate.

‘I haven’t told her.’ He said, still turning the glossy pages.

‘What!’ I spluttered, as I coughed my tea over his beautiful dream.

‘Nah. If I tell her now, there’ll be endless rows until it arrives. This way, there’s one big row when I take her to see it, but at that point there’s nothing she can do, so she’ll settle down.’

Looks like you came to a similar decision from a different angle - fear in your case!

John.

[jsutherland]

Excellent John West!

[saviem]

Fergie47:
They still make these to-day, there was one parked up in out local supermarket delivering steel bars for an extension they are doing…probably rarer than they use to be for sure , saw them all over the place in the '70’s / '80’s

Evening all,

Yes Fergie, they used to be everywhere in the 60s right through to the late 80s, odd looking things, and with a two man crew in those little cockpit like cabs, (well steamed up on a wet day), they never seemed to slow down at all! The steel was rarely chained down, the drivers seemed to trust in the weight, and the fact that the load was split either side of the cab! Mind you, some of them had bolsters as well…but many did not!

Those two on your first picture are rare ones, registered in Suisse, and with the early, (explosive), Unic V8, but the cab and body looks, (no it really is), from Royanne based Georges Pelpel, (even if the wheels are from Suisse manufacturer George Fischer. They would have been supplied by Garage Kurve, from Bubendorf, in the Canton of Bale, who was a really active importer for Unic. Kurve were originally Simca motorcar importers, and took on Unic, (despite the different dimension, and weight criteria for Switzerland in the early `60s).

Kurve, owned by a M Thommen, worked with Fischer to bring vehicles for the Suisse domestic market down to 2.30 m width, (International traffic could meet the standard French dimensions). Those steel carriers had a front axle limited to 6000 kgs. Quite a number of steel carriers for Suisse were built on the 200A Unic chassis, with the 165hp 5 cylinder, and the Pelpel two seat, (one behind the other) cab. I can recall seeing these central driving position steel carriers for Suisse in build at Pelpels works in the `70s.

The Suisse market is interesting, as domestic, and TIR vehicles could be very different in specification, and the Suisse had a core of very good long haul operators, using all sorts of exotic machinery, not just French.

The two Kiener et Wittlin V8 Unic Pelpel bodied 4x2 steel carriers must date from the mid `70s,and even though they would be to 2.3 m width, their power was the 340 V8, bet they were like rocket ships to drive…Fergies picture does not really show just how high the driver/crew, sat in these things…Magnum plus about 500mm! Access was via sliding doors on each side…or if loaded, either a roof hatch, or twin rear doors!..imagine the H&S brigades reaction to that with a good load of oily bar either side, and behind you!!! Another Suisse operator that I recall with these Pelpel bodied “porte-fers”, was Neuchátel based Dubois-Jeanreaud, but theirs were the lower powered 220A models.

Why were the cabs so high, well around 500/700mm above the actual load deck was situated the floor of the driving compartment, thus allowing the sliding doors to open above the load, the mirrors stuck out like a pair of Donky`s ears on slender, (dead wonky), arms, and the actual driving position was…well a trifle compact…made a Mk 1 Atkinson seem very spacious indeed!

Pelpel were not the only builder, Pourtout, (the creator of some really spectacular concept, and show vehicle bodies), built many, and there were others built by smaller concerns for local Steel merchants. Chassis, Bernard, (with a Gardner deeply buried beneath, and I remember following one of these belonging to Paris based Steel Stockholders Davum…and wondering if driving at that hight, in the centre of your lorry was easy, or hard…I never found out, because I never drove one, but would have loved to!

There were modest ones, built on Hotchkiss, and small Saviem chassis, and a real odd ball built by SINPAR, on a Saviem, converted to front wheel drive, and with a tandem rear bogie running on 15in twin tyres, that was a bit lower than the Bernard versions…(remember just how tall a 150 Gardner was)! but it still had that central angular steel cab for the poor driver…mind you with a good heater it would be a cosy place to spend a wet North of France day!

Cheerio for now.

[saviem]

[quote="John West
Domestic “issues”…

A few years ago, a chum of mine came into my office looking excited. As I made the tea, he started telling me about this new yacht that he’d ordered, two cabins, all the gear (I’m not into sailing, so I don’t remember the details).

'How much is it?'I politely enquired as we sipped our tea and I looked at a brochure which itself must have cost a small fortune.

‘90,000 quid.’ He said, without batting an eyelid. Sharp intake of breath from me!

‘What does Caroline have to say?’ I asked, wondering what his beloved thought of a purchase in which I knew she would have at least no interest, at worst would hate.

‘I haven’t told her.’ He said, still turning the glossy pages.

‘What!’ I spluttered, as I coughed my tea over his beautiful dream.

‘Nah. If I tell her now, there’ll be endless rows until it arrives. This way, there’s one big row when I take her to see it, but at that point there’s nothing she can do, so she’ll settle down.’

Looks like you came to a similar decision from a different angle - fear in your case!

John.[/quote]
Well John, I think that you have got it right, perhaps it was fear…but over many years she had stood for a lot with me and old vehicles!..and as in the case of your pal…over the years things have calmed down…until I tell her Im going to a sale, or even worse she catches me looking at older lorries/tractors for sale…the temperature drops markedly!!!

The only time that she said that she enjoyed seeing me drive my T34 Russian Tank, was the day that I took it up the lane to load onto transport arranged by its purchaser down in Kent…she did not enjoy seeing it driving back…until she was told that , (despite warning that I was too big, and heavy for his trailer, "Mr Trucker, " said load it up…so I did…and broke his trailer in two!..well actually pulled the one side away from the rest…Ive never ever seen a set of rigger boots fly skywards so quickly, mind you the guy wearing them was a bit surprised as well!..

Never happened to me when I used to put her up on my old York 9ft 6in knock out neck…but that was yesterdays technology…heavy and strong…and easy to use with a pair of jacks…

Cheerio for now…thanks for the background to Douglas Freight!

[pete_smith]

Hi Saviem,
Some assorted Star information/images, Cheer’s Pete

[michel]

An example on a Saviem R 4154 “Tancarville”.

[robert1952]

michel:
An example on a Saviem R 4154 “Tancarville”.
[/url]

In the early 2000s I did quite a lot of 20-tonne loads of vistalon out of Exxon-Mobil in N.D. de Gravenchon for Stockport, shipping through Le Havre. The journey took me through Tankarville and that dramatic bridge over the river. The old Eurostar took it all its stride. Robert

[pete_smith]

How about this one Saviem? Makes the Star look new fangled! Cheer’s Pete

[maggied]

robert1952:

michel:
An example on a Saviem R 4154 “Tancarville”.
[/url]

In the early 2000s I did quite a lot of 20-tonne loads of vistalon out of Exxon-Mobil in N.D. de Gravenchon for Stockport, shipping through Le Havre. The journey took me through Tankarville and that dramatic bridge over the river. The old Eurostar took it all its stride. Robert

0

Hi Robert,

Hope you are well, yes I spent many lunchtimes there in the restaurant Coupe de Frein with drivers from a company called Centrale Routiers from Le Havre they ran LB76 & 110 Scanias. They only did 1 load a day from Le Havre to N.D.G and back to Le Havre,they got taken over by LTS Freight in Southampton,who tried to get them to do 2 loads a day,they never achieved that

Regards
Richard

[robert1952]

I had forgotten about the relais there: plenty of parking space, IIRC. Robert

[saviem]

Afternoon all,

So snowy morning, coming back from Church, and there right on one of the corners on our lane is an Audi, (the thing that looks like a Transit Mini Bus), “nose down” as you might say, and some rather miserable looking people…

Straight back to the farm, picked up my little tractor, (the big Audi occupies most of the lane) a couple of chains, and returned. Gosh, you would think that I was about to damage the gross thing, the fuss they kicked up when I chained her to the tractor…“.no more than you have already done”, (looking at the length of the skid marks before dropping into, and polluting the water course), quoth I.

Any road up, (not to bore you with a long discourse…out she pops, bit the worse for wear, but nothing that a few bits of replacement plastic would not cure…collected my chains, and was just about to go back home when the driver appears…"D`ont worry " said I, just go carefull, “No, I just wish to know who dug the ditch so deep”, said he, “I must complain to the council”!!!

B… me! I nearly pushed him, and his big piece of German motor car straight back in…except we need to keep the lane clear for the Milk Tanker…(and yes, it was me who had dug them out as well)…I was proper “ruffled” I can tell you…and the little tractor has no cab, pure Air Conditioned!

Fergie your post , Tuesday 12.01 16, I envy you that morning…what a collection, lovely pictures thank you! He has some really rare stuff, that JL200 Cherau Integral van will be a beauty when its restored, a 26 tonner as well. Those Chereau from Avrances, integrals were real favourites with the Bretagne hauliers, either as friges, or insulated versions. Chereau produced them in two versions, for Berliet, or Saviem chassis in the main, there were always loads of them around Les Halles, unloading Bretagne produce and Cheese for the capital. No pallets in those days, all handball, out the back, or the side doors onto barrows. Really handsome lorries, and all fairly big power, 180hp 9.5 litre Berliet, or like the one pictured either Henschell, 200 hp, or the MAN 2156 @200 hp, (but a simple “tweak” on the pump , and you had 240hp! Not bad for the `60s,at all.

The you try to get me into the divorce courtd showing that little blue JL200, that is for sale, (nice little winch behind the cab)…and Michel compounds it by showing two of the ex Mayer Willeme TGs on the Willeme thread…just look at them for magical heavy haulers, one from 1973, the big 8x8 250 from 1979, pretty straight for lorries constantly working at well over 150/200 tonnes.(though the later MKS paintwork spoils their appearance)…Now I shall spend the rest of the Sabbath scheming a strategy to put to my other half…may prove a little hard I fear.

Maggie D, Centrale Routiers, like so many French Hauliers now long gone. The Tancarville bridge brings back many memories. I was over it so many times, and of course Onatra had their northern depot close to it. But no crossing was as memorable as when I drove the Rolls Royce owned, and engined SM 340 4x2 tractor, (the engine @320 hp, with a 9 speed Fuller behind it) across the Seine. It was a beautifully executed conversion, that really excited all who tried her out, but sadly she was not to be, because as she arrived in France, at the hight of the stupid and pointless war that had broken out between Saviem, and Berliet Dealers, Francoise Zanotti had finally made the politicians in the Regie see sense, and the two ranges were to be sold as one, as Renault…but really the damage had been done, and the importers, in particular DAF, and Mercedes were taking big chunks of market share, followed by Scania and Volvo.

That lorry was perhaps one of the greatest losses, but I have no doubt that the success that it enjoyed by all who tried it, lead to the acceptance of the Road train in France in its Rolls powered form. Leyland France…very first casualty of the Leyland DAF merger…soon killed that off…too much of a threat…another story, for another day!

Im away…Ive some strategy to plan!

Cheerio for now.

[pete_smith]

Hi Saviem,
That is one road I do not like, when I visited Paul last week, the bit between yourself and Pauls house one of them Audi 4x4 thing must have come round that bend just before pub at 50 mph…hopefully same one as you dragged out!
That Saviem tractor unit that Fergie posted is a nice motor though, have a word with Paul see how he manages it!! Cheer’s Pete

[saviem]

Regards
Richard



[/quote]
Hello all,

That picture reminded me of just how badly the cabs of those LB76s rotted.

Some may recall how I travelled down to Bordeaux to retrieve my LB76, back a time ago. Yet when she was parked in one of my barns, and never stood in the rain…she began to rust like crazy! I was fighting a loosing battle/ health/ and keeping the farm going/ so eventually health won…Rented the farm…and sold the LB76 to an Italian pal of mine…

Latest report, (yesterday)…he is worried how the tin worm is eating away that Suedois metal cab…but he will repair her…

Funny how such a lovely lorry could just diintigrate…bit like our own GB produced ones I suppose!!

Cheerio for now.

[john_west]

Watched a TV prog a while ago about rust. They started off by saying what a gorgeous colour it was. Hadn’t considered that before. Yes, a sort of golden autumn!

It then went on about the electrical degradation of panels pressed together, plus the fact that the metal was actually starting to rust before they sprayed it. We knew about it in the sixties and seventies didn’t we! Called it planned obsolescence.

Truth is, they hadn’t figured it out then. I have a 56 reg KIA. There is no rust on it anywhere. I’d like a new car, but Mrs W is mean as a flea and won’t entertain it!

Sorry about your LB 76, RIP (Rot…)

John.