Hello all, gb1, what a wonderful sight, “The Heart and Lungs of the complete Athlete”! my beloved Bernard.
But by the time that advertisement was posted Bernard was really past its sell by date, superb engineering, but they had missed the industry move in France to 200hp plus. Sadly, the superbly reliable, but old tech Gardner licence diesels were being left behind.
On the left is one of the handsome Pelpel cab, bonneted, TD150.35s. perhaps the last “real” Bernard. Powered by the MB6 130x152 12105 cc 165hp @1750rpm , (in reality a Gardner 150), with a 5, or 10 speed twin stick, (termed knitters, by drivers…easier to use than the cag handed Berliet “Tricateuse” twin stick set up, so hated by my old clients ONATRA.
But on the right the new “Television” cab designed by perhaps France`s greatest vehicle stylist Phillipe Charbonneaux. Deliberatly styled to look like a Teleavia Television from the front…the screen, the speakers, (radiator grill). and the knobs to control…the four headlights. The round portholes were a later pre production mod, as the original rectangular sleeper windows weakened the structure too much!
The cab sat over the Gardner 180, 180.35 at 185hp. Plus the 5, 0r 10 speed transmission. The cab interior was sensational, (as were all Charbonneaux`s designs, for had he not created the sensational French Air Force recruitment vehicle back in 52, that was still in operation in the 70s, (despite being built on a Chausson, “pig nose” bus chassis, let alone his later creation for the military, and his Bic Biro vehicles, Hoover promotional cars, and not forgetting his input into Berliets “Relax” cab of 58)!
The Television cabs were fabricated by G Pelpel, of Noyal sur Villaine, Near Rennes, (a coachbuilder, and trailer manufacturer of whom I should write more), and the more exotic creations of his mind by Rouens Phillipe Lebastard, whose bodywork creations really even today are sensational.
Bernard also fitted aerodynamic cabs by Arnault, many were supplied to that premier French fleet G Borca et Fils, of Asneres. My late friend Martin Phippard experienced their hospitality , when Mack became involved with Bernard in the 60s, Champagne, from gold rimmed glasses…while I experienced their kindness, repairing a young drivers broken Gardner Foden, in their Marble floored workshops, around the same time!!!
Gosh the fun we had talking about France, and Bernard in particular, for we both loved the lorries, and the company! I have driven many Bernards, Pelpel cabs, Television cbs, and even a rough old Arnault, they never ever lost their pedigree,you can really understand the once common saying…“The driver of a Bernard…he is a man to be respected”! Boy they are some lorry…believe me.
Thanks for the memories
Cheerio for now.
