Interesting collection there PV…RHD Maggie’s and an Iveco with what looks like a MAN grill…where were those pics taken ?..
Fergie47:
Interesting collection there PV…RHD Maggie’s and an Iveco with what looks like a MAN grill…where were those pics taken ?..
In Germany, somewhere between Kassel and Gottingen, can’t remember the name of that company though, but they were quite the firm to go to for secondhand stuff, I’ve been there just the once, must been four or five years ago now.
pv83:
I’ve just came across some pics I’ve made a few years ago, whilst waiting to load a secondhand draw bar trailer, I had a look around, and although there were none french marques, hopefully you will find it interestingPatrick
Very nice pictures there Patrick.
The second picture shows two identical Swiss Vehicles, of the marque BERNA. Both are model “Berna 5V”.
I think these were manufactured in the 60s and a few are still around today. I believe there was an association with Saurer but I am not sure how exactly that worked.
Saurer announced in 1982 that they would halt the production of mainstream heavy goods vehicles, and they ceased production of specialised lorries for the Swiss army I believe in 1986 or thereabouts.
There is a large local collector scene and the quality of their build means that there are still a large number in excellent condition to this day. Still, spare parts are becoming scarce, with only few specialised firms left to offer some relief on that front, such as the below firm.
saurer-berna.ch/berna-fahrzeuge.html
There would be room for a Saurer / Berna / FBW thread really, but SAVIEM’s fanclub has become a nice forum in its own right so I just chuck in the occasional contribution in here, just making sure that every so often it actually relates to SAVIEM or BERLIET for good measure.
I wish you all a good evening
Regards
David
Talking about Swiss manufacturer Saurer, here are a few shots of two beautiful units I was able to take earlier this Month.
They are both equipped with Saurer’s largest-ever engine, rated at 330hp.
Later I was able to find out that these two motors belong to an avid collector who has done a great job restoring these two units, one of which apparently still sees occasional action in the “winter service” i.e. snow ploughing. And inside the shed I saw a third one in an advanced state of restoration as well.
As usual please click on the picture and it will behave itself
Note the air suspension on this one. Looks rather crude but robust at the same time.
That’s it Gentlemen.
Bonne nuit.
David
Morning all,
David Junior, any pictures, comments details particularly regarding those beautiful Saurer, Berna, and FBW lorrries . Those last Saurers drove really well, but so expensive! FBW Wonderful engineering, and superb engines, and not well known in the UK. Mind you details of any lorries are welcome here! Refuge thread for" strays", but makes it really interesting! Thanks to everyone.
Now those Magnum single wheeled tandems…they were the more modern take on the `77 Berliet 6x4 TRH 320 6x4 of 1974. Designed with a 16 tonne bogie, (as opposed to the TRHS, (speciaux), running on14/80/R20 single tyres, (the TRHS ran on tandem 12.22.5s), with a gtw of 38/180 tonnes. The TRH single tandem was designed for the “new” European weight of 22.5/ 38 tonnes with tandem axle trailers, (5 axle combination). This model ran through the TR range 8 cylinder, and also the TR305.
Bit of an odd ball really, but they did sell quite well.
Cheerio for now.
Saviem:
Morning all,David Junior, any pictures, comments details particularly regarding those beautiful Saurer, Berna, and FBW lorrries . Those last Saurers drove really well, but so expensive! FBW Wonderful engineering, and superb engines, and not well known in the UK. Mind you details of any lorries are welcome here! Refuge thread for" strays", but makes it really interesting! Thanks to everyone.
Now those Magnum single wheeled tandems…they were the more modern take on the `77 Berliet 6x4 TRH 320 6x4 of 1974. Designed with a 16 tonne bogie, (as opposed to the TRHS, (speciaux), running on14/80/R20 single tyres, (the TRHS ran on tandem 12.22.5s), with a gtw of 38/180 tonnes. The TRH single tandem was designed for the “new” European weight of 22.5/ 38 tonnes with tandem axle trailers, (5 axle combination). This model ran through the TR range 8 cylinder, and also the TR305.
Bit of an odd ball really, but they did sell quite well.
Cheerio for now.
Hi Saviem,
Question for you! Who would have operated a Saurer in the Wolverhampton area? Only asking because I can remember my Dad mentioning one to me saying how well engineered it was and the engine ran like a sewing machine, think it may have been a 6 or 8 wheeler, firms he worked for before Millers was C+L Transport Ettingshall,Pallants Wednesfield,George and Matthews on Bilston Road and Amber Oils in Lincoln Street ( where I am based now!) He would have been 93 now, Cheer’s Pete
Hi Saviem,
Question for you! Who would have operated a Saurer in the Wolverhampton area? Only asking because I can remember my Dad mentioning one to me saying how well engineered it was and the engine ran like a sewing machine, think it may have been a 6 or 8 wheeler, firms he worked for before Millers was C+L Transport Ettingshall,Pallants Wednesfield,George and Matthews on Bilston Road and Amber Oils in Lincoln Street ( where I am based now!) He would have been 93 now, Cheer’s Pete
[/quote]
Morning Pete,
Now that’s an interesting question. Your Dad would have been talking about the “Worlds biggest lorry” of the 1930s, the Armstrong Saurer double drive 8x4. Im inclined to think that one was operated by AT Hartshorne, (later to become the Hartshorne Volvo Dealer), and/or Boults Motors. The latter is now just the Seat Dealership in Newhampton Road West, Whitmore Reans, but back in the 30s was a nationally based transport contractor. Their history is fascinating, they ran over 100 vehicles all over the UK, and were one of the first to run “inter depot” traffic. They were also heavily involved in property development. Many of their trunk vehicles were Scammell Rigid 8s.
Armstrong Saurer commenced manufacture of lorries in 1930, in Newcastle on Tyne. Although badged Armstrong Saurer, the design was Suisse, Armstrong, (Sir W.G Armstrong), providing finance and works facility. The Samson 8x4 was introduced in 1934 as a 22 ton gross lorry,it had brakes on all 8 wheels, unusual for the `30s, and a 6 cylinder 95hp engine and an overdrive gearbox of 5 speeds.
Beckett Brothers, ofFenton, Stoke on Trent certainly ran one, (I remember seeing pictures of it in their offices in the 70s), it was forward control, with a dropside body. My late father in law also commented just how smooth the 6 cylinder engines were. He drove for John Harper in Willenhall, in the 30s, Chain drive Albions up and down to London Docks.
Armstrong Saurer also produced a bonneted 4x2, and a forward control 6 wheeler, the Dauntless. I think that production ended around 37/38. In Suisse Saurer and FBW merged in the 80s, forming Nutzfahrzeuggesellschaft Arbon and Wetzikon, (NAW), which was swallowed by Daimler Benz in 1982…and no more. Fantastic engineers, (and they also made Sewing Machines…just like their engines!!!
Cheerio for now. then
Hi Saviem,
Thanks for your reply, John Harper Willenhall, I live 100 yds from what was their back gate in Gough Street! Bouts Motors, was it Les Bouts? He used to live off Newbridge Crescent and it must be 25 yrs since he passed on, last place he had was the Alfa Romeo dealership opposite the Chindit Pub in Merridale, was it Tillotson which bought out Bouts haulage interests and if so would that have been the start of what was Lex Tillotson contract hire etc? Cheer’s Pete
A couple of pic’s off internet, Fergie, if you google “Traveller Dave vintage and classic trucks seen in europe” there are a lot of pictures of French vehicles to see, Cheer’s Pete
pete smith:
A couple of pic’s off internet, Fergie, if you google “Traveller Dave vintage and classic trucks seen in europe” there are a lot of pictures of French vehicles to see, Cheer’s Pete
Hi Pete, I’ve posted some of Dave Fawcett’s pics on here before, having had correspondence in the past with the man, I know some don’t agree with his chosen lifestyle, I don’t have a problem, finding him to be courteous in his replies to my requests, but a bit disturbed with those who use his stuff without his consent. Anyone wanting to do so should write to him, I’m sure he will be accommodating, as well as his Traveller Dave Collection he also has some cracking pics here flickr.com/photos/7240226@N02/ he is an Albion man 
A Citroen from his Albion Dave flickr collection.
Oily
Not really into models, but these two are very good, and both from famous French companies…the patience these guys have to build them is quite remarkable…
oiltreader:
pete smith:
A couple of pic’s off internet, Fergie, if you google “Traveller Dave vintage and classic trucks seen in europe” there are a lot of pictures of French vehicles to see, Cheer’s PeteHi Pete, I’ve posted some of Dave Fawcett’s pics on here before, having had correspondence in the past with the man, I know some don’t agree with his chosen lifestyle, I don’t have a problem, finding him to be courteous in his replies to my requests, but a bit disturbed with those who use his stuff without his consent. Anyone wanting to do so should write to him, I’m sure he will be accommodating, as well as his Traveller Dave Collection he also has some cracking pics here flickr.com/photos/7240226@N02/ he is an Albion man
A Citroen from his Albion Dave flickr collection.
Oily
Thank You for the information Oily, Dave got some interesting photo’s on there, Cheer’s Pete
Leading on from Saviems fruit and veg lorries, “les Primeurs” here are a few, not all fruit and veg though, some with the canvas top to allow that little bit extra and some definitely fruit and veg carriers…
That’s probably it picture wise till after Christmas…but, just one last one…my “Truck of the Year” circa 1960…
disc brakes, air suspension, and THAT cab…and to think, ten years after this one I was driving a Guy Big J with a 180 ■■■■■■■■
Oh well, born 10 years too late, and in the wrong country … 
Fergie47:
That’s probably it picture wise till after Christmas…but, just one last one…my “Truck of the Year” circa 1960…
disc brakes, air suspension, and THAT cab…and to think, ten years after this one I was driving a Guy Big J with a 180 ■■■■■■■■
Oh well, born 10 years too late, and in the wrong country …
Nice looking motor bet the turning circle was a bit poor, Thank You for posting all these strange french motors Fergie and have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, Cheer’s Pete
pete smith:
Fergie47:
That’s probably it picture wise till after Christmas…but, just one last one…my “Truck of the Year” circa 1960…
disc brakes, air suspension, and THAT cab…and to think, ten years after this one I was driving a Guy Big J with a 180 ■■■■■■■■
Oh well, born 10 years too late, and in the wrong country …Nice looking motor bet the turning circle was a bit poor, Thank You for posting all these strange french motors Fergie and have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, Cheer’s Pete
And to you Pete, and everyone else, including all the regular posters, and those that just drop in for a look now and then… Have a good one people…
Hi All,
Thanks to John (Saviem),David Senior,David Junior,Pete,Michel,and everyone else for all the brilliant information/photo’s on this my favourite T/N thread,seasons greetings and all the best for 2016.
David Senior I’m surprised you get away with all the time you spend on here,has Liz left you ■■
Saviem your mention of Whitmore Reans brought back fond memories of the trolleybuses thank you
Pete your mention of Wednesfield reminded me of my Grandfather who worked at the Weldless Tube there all his working life and Joseph Foulkes Transport,thank you.
Kind regards
Richard
