The basic design of the Berliet cab should come in for some praise ,it was a very comfortable and spacious place to work .The company i worked for bought 2 new Renaults a 340 and 365 in `89 and i thought they were probably the best cab in the business at the time .They were quiet with great visibilty and acres of room the only problem, being what was underneath.The biggest compliment i could give them is the Premium was a backward step
ramone:
The basic design of the Berliet cab should come in for some praise ,it was a very comfortable and spacious place to work .The company i worked for bought 2 new Renaults a 340 and 365 in `89 and i thought they were probably the best cab in the business at the time .They were quiet with great visibilty and acres of room the only problem, being what was underneath.The biggest compliment i could give them is the Premium was a backward step
I liked the R Range - including its driveline. Once the gearbox delta 2 shaft issue was resolved we didn’t have a lot of trouble with them. Then again I got on alright with the gear change and gearbox on both the R310’s I drove - one was 1985 reg (C) and the other was 1987 reg (E).
Regards
Steve
Saviem:
[zb]
anorak:neversweat1:
SteveWhich model is this?
Evening all, Anorak, Steve, they look to me like TLMs, with the “Recardo” 14.8litre engine. Areal “rouler”. The whole TL, TB, and GB are visually very similar…
The Bollinger will help my recall, Salut, Cheerio for now.
Having got my interest up for these, I have found that the 4x2s are TLMs. The TBO was a 6x4 tractor. Those above are early ones. Some time in the 1960s (when?) they changed to the Relaxe cab, like this TLM:
I found it here:
magnum31gb.skyrock.com/61.html
The TBO15 is still listed in the 1973 range:
Presumably, it was superceded soon after by the TRH320, as the TR320 is also shown on the chart.
That 15 litre engine is interesting. TLM15s must have been just about the most powerful European tractors in the late 1950s and ‘60s. Does anyone know anything about them- when they started building them, engine specifications etc?
Evening all, just a quick stop for more “claret”, (the weather is with us)!!
Anorak, the TLM, and its little sister the 10s, (@35 tonnes), were real goeres). Yes the 14.8 as a "big power2 option in 1958, but do not forget the Willeme 518 8, 18litre straight 8 @ 225hp, @1800rpm, or the 518 T6C turbo 13.55 litre @255hp, (even given their propensity to explode)!!! blame it on he oils!!. And bear in mind the straight 6 518 6 @ 190hp, and reliable.
Your Berliet example gives fact to their major problem…too many derivatives, and models, many duplicating each other!! The TBOs that I worked with gave outstanding service…as tractors, and even as 6x4 highway tippers,one Lille based operator I knew ran his 6x4s at a regular 40 plus tonnes, with no problems.
On the
Saviem:
Evening all, just a quick stop for more “claret”, (the weather is with us)!!Anorak, the TLM, and its little sister the 10s, (@35 tonnes), were real goeres). Yes the 14.8 as a "big power2 option in 1958, but do not forget the Willeme 518 8, 18litre straight 8 @ 225hp, @1800rpm, or the 518 T6C turbo 13.55 litre @255hp, (even given their propensity to explode)!!! blame it on he oils!!. And bear in mind the straight 6 518 6 @ 190hp, and reliable.
Your Berliet example gives fact to their major problem…too many derivatives, and models, many duplicating each other!! The TBOs that I worked with gave outstanding service…as tractors, and even as 6x4 highway tippers,one Lille based operator I knew ran his 6x4s at a regular 40 plus tonnes, with no problems.
On the
I sincerely trust the “Claret” was only going into the JD “Saviem” ! 
Oh! how I’d enjoy watching from a real time satellite to see you swerving all over the Shropshire prairie,out of control,at full throttle !! Provided,of course,said JD just came to a harmless halt in the middle of the lower 150 acres and you were conveyed home to sleep off the “Claret” 
Hic! Hic! Cheers Dennis.
Sorry for the interruption, but the tank was full, and I had to go!!!
To continue…other hand the big old 6x4 TBO tractor unit was a well loved serveant of France`s heavy hauliers. Often working at “obscene” weights, without complaint, when the Berliet “Ricardo” 14.8 litre gave up the ghost, well you just popped in a big ■■■■■■■ at 290/335hp, and the transmission never noticed the change, so strong was it!!! (And if anyone can find on this electronic filing cabinet, an image of the “white” interior of the TBO cab, then that long metal rod, next to the short black crested auxillary box, is the gear lever!! And straight out of the top of the 5sp box, with a lip to rest your thumb, well it was a rod of desire…so crisp and clean were its movements)!!!
I personally had some experience of TBOs, when as part of the Saviem team, charged with evaluation of the integrity of Willemes TGO designs, now faltering under Perez et Raimonds “care”, via a licence agreement, I was sent forth into “greater” France, to garner operator experience of these magnificent vehicles, in my Renault 4!!!
What I found were many real heavy hitters, who beamoned the lack of development of the TBO, as a heavy hitter. Many were still in use despite being over 20years old. Physically, the TBO stood alongside a Scammell Contractor in size. Yet the design was simple, no auto box, but a transmission whose ratios were perfectly matched for 100 tonne plus loads. Axles that could cope with more than a 30tonne loading, and a transmission that was unbreakable.
Stag, Zucchoni, Scalex, Scales, all had TBOs, in action. But even today in the 21st century, Phillip Brame, has a TBO that works alongside his Willeme TG , as a current heavy hitter!! Gentlemen…we have pride in the products of Scammell…yet France had Willeme, a manufacturer who I would propose as having the best ever "heavy hitter "designs of all time, but the faithful number two was always the Berliet TBO, truly a wonderful design, (and like all faithfull number twos, one that endures!!!
Berliets problem was that they provided a vehicle for every application, not that they concentrated on the prime market segments. Anoraks 73 range listing shows the confusion, and duplication of models. TL, TG, GB, TB, cabs from Berliet, then the Relax," avec capot", and lets not forget those most handsome TLMs cabbed by Arnault, (truly the most handsome Berliets of all time…but of course Arnault provided cabs for Bernard)!!!
Berliet in the 50s, and 60s, a magnificence of design, and engineering, …but they missed the market, and the plethoria of their models was to bring them to their knees, sad, but true!!
How I love French lorries of the 50s and 60s, they have a statement of purpose unlike no other on the world stage, I shall away to my supper, and France`s finest export, Bollinger, and raise a toast to their excellence…Bon Nuit, mes Braves, Cheerio for now.
(Dennis, yes it was a smelly “Claret”, not at all palatable!!! There may be “slight curves” in my mowing, but my “lads” only smile…after all, Ive had new spectacles, and Im running them in as yet…the pleasures of old age)!!!
Hi Steve, Bastier, and Victorias photos at Avignon…elusive eh!!
Cheerio for now.
Saviem:
Hi Steve, Bastier, and Victorias photos at Avignon…elusive eh!!Cheerio for now.
Is there a prize 
Steve
neversweat1:
Saviem:
Hi Steve, Bastier, and Victorias photos at Avignon…elusive eh!!Cheerio for now.
Is there a prize
Steve
Hi Steve,
Saviem may send you a Bollinger lollipop to cool you down in sunny Reading 
Would you think this is the original Saviem “Le Del Boy 3 wheeler” ? perhaps one of our French friends could identify it ?
Regards
Richard
MaggieD:
neversweat1:
Saviem:
Hi Steve, Bastier, and Victorias photos at Avignon…elusive eh!!Cheerio for now.
Is there a prize
Steve
Hi Steve,
Saviem may send you a Bollinger lollipop to cool you down in sunny Reading
Would you think this is the original Saviem “Le Del Boy 3 wheeler” ? perhaps one of our French friends could identify it ?
Regards
Richard
Hello Richard - I think that is called a FAR using a Saviem cab. I’ve not seen Bollinger lollipops in our local shop though 
Cheers
Steve
Is there a prize
Hi Steve,
Saviem may send you a Bollinger lollipop to cool you down in sunny Reading
Would you think this is the original Saviem “Le Del Boy 3 wheeler” ? perhaps one of our French friends could identify it ?
Regards
Richard
[/quote]
Morning all, elegant lady…ugly lorry!! Paris Registration, but was this photograph taken near Rouen??
FAR is a very interesting company, acquired the licence for the Scammel automatic coupling in the 1930s. Some of the early examples were four wheelers, powered by Bernard built licence Gardner 4LWs, and some 6LWs. The early three wheeler cabs were…well ugly, with a sloping front panel from the windscreen to the bumper, looked a bit like a shovel on wheels.
Like in the UK the main users were the railway, SNCF, and subsidiary parcel, and smalls operators, like Calberson. However unlike Scammel, FAR did develop the design, on the photographed example note the heavier duty tyre equipment, and FAR managed to fit a brake to the front wheel!, and add power steering. The last examples were fitted with the Saviem SG, (Saviem building the Renault Galion light range), cab. Actually quite a nice little machine .
I must admit to having a soft spot for these little three wheelers, and still use a 1965 registered example for local deliveries of bales, and spuds,(Dave the Renegade has some photos of her at the Hollies, in her working clothes). Had the concept have been developed, then perhaps we would still be using three wheel artics today. The manouverability is phenominal…but I always wondered when I used to see railwaymen reversing them standing up in the seat…why■■?..well I know why now, they are quite, (an understatement) hard to go backwards with, even if you have driven artics all your life!!! But all the fun you can have up to 25mph!!
(the FAR is much quicker)!
Bollinger lollies, now there is a thought…we used to be able to get ice cream up here in all sorts of liquor flavours, Curaco, Marnier, Cuantro etc, packaged in plastic replica bottles…very tasty, did they ever get down to the “exotic” south■■?
Ah well, I`m off to mow a meadow…hey ho, hey ho, Cheerio for now.
Error, well misleading writing at worst!! Paragraph four, mine is a Scammel Scarab 7ton, and a mix of trailers…remember when they used to go through the auctions, £15 for the unit, and £10 for the trailers! I`d love a FAR…but unless I get rid of some of my other bits and pieces, well I fear not, Cheerio.
Hi
Steve, well done you are now owed 2 Bollinger lollipops
Saviem, you never cease to amaze me with your knowledge,it was taken in the late 70’s early 80’s in Lubrizol Rouen !! The elegant lady in the pic is my wife who passed her HGV 1 in 1978 doing most of her training in a Saviem 36-280,then running to Italy every week for 3 years, until being pregnant, was unable to get behind the wheel 
, like yourself and Mr Davies we have been married for over 35 years.
Regards
Richard
MaggieD:
HiSteve, well done you are now owed 2 Bollinger lollipops
Saviem, you never cease to amaze me with your knowledge,it was taken in the late 70’s early 80’s in Lubrizol Rouen !! The elegant lady in the pic is my wife who passed her HGV 1 in 1978 doing most of her training in a Saviem 36-280,then running to Italy every week for 3 years, until being pregnant, was unable to get behind the wheel
Regards
Richard
Saviems married to Mr Davies for 35 years Very ahead of their time given the current debate on Gay marriage
Steve
neversweat1:
MaggieD:
HiSteve, well done you are now owed 2 Bollinger lollipops
Saviem, you never cease to amaze me with your knowledge,it was taken in the late 70’s early 80’s in Lubrizol Rouen !! The elegant lady in the pic is my wife who passed her HGV 1 in 1978 doing most of her training in a Saviem 36-280,then running to Italy every week for 3 years, until being pregnant, was unable to get behind the wheel
Regards
RichardSaviems married to Mr Davies for 35 years
Steve
Steve, Richard, sorry to disappoint…but in a rather swish bar room in Dallas Texas, I was once introduced by one operator of my acquaintance, to another, as, “this little Frenchie, he`s ok, he is a Redneck too”!..“.Frenchie”…“redneck”…surely we British and our American cousins, we are people divided by a common language!
Cheerio for now.
Evening all, you know the oddest things come into your mind when the pressures off. I was washing of the tractors in the bright evening sunshine, the old horse was having his tea,and the Swifts were singing away on the telephone wires, and it was just the same atmosphere as a summers night in the South of France.
Suddenly my thoughts turned to neversweats Onatra photographs…and I was back at the handover of the 300th Saviem SM340 V8 at St Auban, with the “grande fromages”, M Van Gaever, President Director General of Onatra, and my boss, M Michel Percheron of Saviem, (and an enormous amount of food, and Vin)!, and a lot of “hangers on” from Savifrance Marseilles. Now those 340s were quite a potent machine, their 15.45litre V8 MAN 2854 engine was more than a match for the early Berliet KB24 300 Vs, having some 335cv @ 2200rpm, and 115mkg @ 1600rpm. But coupled to the Saviem synchromesh GV 350 gearbox, and the double reduction 1332 axle, a really nice powerful tractor to drive at 38tonnes. Smooth, comfortable and economic. But Onatra did specify some with the Saint Nazaire built Eaton Fuller 12speed plus crawler, (not that you ever needed the crawler gear), it made the 340 a real “rouler”, (take that as “a hooligans motor”), what a goer…rorty torty, and the mirrors used to fold back with the velocity that was easily attained!!!
Transports VIT used them to some effect on their regular Paris - Baghdad run, as did Transports Bernis on their "Marco Polo Middle East runs. But I caused myself some embarresment and discomfort when organising a “roadshow launch” back in `75, at La Rochelle Poids Lourdes, one of “our” first joint dealerships. Now those of you that know the area will know the RN 137, at Saint Vivien a la Jarrie, where the premises of La R-P-L were situated. As well as a selection of middleweight J serie, and the "new Hs, and Berliets HBs, I had organised two fully freighted 38tonners, a Berliet 300 V, and the only SM340 that I could get hold of, an ex press fleet one with a Fuller transmission.
Needles to say the demos on the SM were spectacular, and when both the Berliet, and SM went out together…well guess which one "dropped " the other!!!..Ok, the 300 Berliet was the “old” model, but the 340, was about to be superceeded by the PS30 Saviem, but the fact that this “new” Dealer handed in a number of orders for the SM340 V8, (due to become obsolete), rather than M Berliets big tractor, rather backfired on me!! Mind you, Venissieux`s refusal to let me have a 356 V8, did not go un noticed in Paris, and thereafter at every “gymkahna”, or roadshow, I managed to get the big Berliets!!
A couple of years later, and the last, (artificial) Saviems that I dealt, were a brace of PX40 VTS 6x4 tractors. Really a Saviem badged Berliet TR356, having the MIDR 08 35 30 V8 at 356hp, and 149m/kg@ 1400rpm, 12513 Fullers, and big Berliet 2032 hub reduction axles. But they carried Saviem badges, even though built at Venissieux/Saint Priest…as well as their “works plate” @180tonnes gtw…some big girls!!
Funny how these odd thoughts come into your head, I must away to my Bollinger nightcap,for tommorow is the Cosford air show, and they normally hold the incoming displays above our farm, so an easier , and pleasurable day, (I hope), Cheerio for now.
