At first glance, I would have said it was a Photoshop trick, but it bears the Sinpar logo. Sinpar were specialised int converting normal trucks into 4x4 or othe off-road uses, as well as into low-loaders with front-axle drive. This one has a standard front-axle and a standard 2-axle drive rear bogie. The only difference seems to lie in the surelevated cab; what for? That’s the question!
To accommodate a significantly larger engine, with attendant need for generous cooling space? Robert
Froggy55:
… The only difference seems to lie in the surelevated cab; what for? That’s the question!
To accommodate a significantly larger engine, with attendant need for generous cooling space? Robert
The text in the link says it has a V8 340, which engine normally fits under the ordinary cab. There is a V8 badge above the wheelarch. Of course, this begs another question- why not just buy an SM340 in the first place?
I reckon it is an aircraft refueller. The raised cab would give the driver a “longer” view, for whatever safety reason, and the striking appearance of the vehicle would attract the eyes of the passengers to the Sinpar badge.
It’s been a while since my last post but I am still on here lurking around from time to time and still enjoy the tales and pictures contributed by so many (special thanks to Dave/Fergie47 for the constant flow of ancient pictures).
And I guess like many of you, I am dearly missing our late SAVIEM.
Now on the subject of this particular SAVIEM SM260, I can confirm that even the 340 (the most powerful execution of MAN’s V8) did not require a high cab configuration.
On another French forum which I sometimes visit, there’s a lot of old hands, including two gents who are particularly interesting:
One was a senior motorist engineer at Berliet and is basically the father of the famous V8 which existed as Berliet TR/GR 300-320-350, then Renault R360/370/390/420, all the way until approximately 1989-90.
The other was a test driver at Berliet then RVI (Renault Véhicules Industriels), from the early 70s until early in the 2000s.
Both are an absolute wealth of information. I took the liberty of copying this picture onto this other forum and requested further information. Whatever response comes I will of course share on here.
NB: I informed both gentlemen of John’s passing, however neither had been acquainted with John during his time in the French lorry industry
Here are some pictures of this lorry [Once again apologies for the infuriating tendency some pictures have of standing upright - click on each one and they will behave normally]:
I understand this vehicle was NOT originally part of the VIT fleet. However it is a genuine SM280 V8. She belongs to my good mate Julien who lives in the Paris area and owns a magnificent collection of Renault R-series (mostly V8s), this SAVIEM and an IVECO Turbostar 190-38 with Fuller box.
Julien’s father however drove for VIT for many years and this unit is the exact replica of his motor back in them days.
Julien found this motor in the “Manche” district in France’s Normandy a few years back. He repatriated her back on her own power. However the cab was so rotten that upon arrival the door actually fell off! But he had a healthy SAVIEM cab as a spare so he was able to make her roadworthy again.
Once a year, those former VIT drivers still around gather for a meal. Julien participated in that event last year and actually showed up with this unit to everybody’s surprise and of course delight.
[zb]
anorak:
That’s the one! Thanks for re-posting it. It looks superb. I bet there aren’t many SM280 V8s in the preservation scene.
Correct Anorak. Not many left in the collector scene, and obviously absolutely NONE still in commercial service. Not even seasonal service like the wine harvest or such like.
Julien has just restored his grandfather’s Renault R390 Turboleader, an equal superb machine.
I have driven her as well. That V8 was something else…
So I got some initial information on this motor - someone was able to share that this motor was fitted with an American-made V8 engine.
However no further information as to which engine, or which purpose this vehicle was built for.
Hopefully more will come as people come home and log on to their online discussions
robert1952:
Here are a couple of pics of heavy haulers operated by Brame P of Wintzenheim (Colmar 68). Apparently, they owned an ERF NGC ‘European’, we’re having trouble finding a picture of it so keep your eyes peeled! Cheers, Robert
Thanks Patrick for some great pictures. You and Fergie47 are quite a pair! We very much appreciate you sharing these pictures of days gone by. Things were a tad different then…
Johnny
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