Saviem:
Yes rigsby/ROF…Ive had it…Long past my sell by date…
Away to the Bolinger for solace…l
Just hope you haven’t forgotton you PROMISED me that tatty old LB76 that’s rusting away in the old barn…you DO REMEMBER that, don’t you John,… of course you do…
The last edition of “Charge-Utile” extra quaterly number .You could order on the site Histoire et Collections.
michel:
The last edition of “Charge-Utile” extra quaterly number .You could order on the site Histoire et Collections.
Evening all, michel, the last thing that I expected to see on my screen, following a very long and wet day repairing broken fences and gates…(do Horses have any concience, or idea of just how strong they actually are)■■? was a magazine cover , whose Editor, has finally realised that France`s premier Heavy Haulier, Robert Leyx,( Scalex, Scales), should have its history revealed to all…Bravo…that should be a great read! And really informative, for Robert Leyx was truly “ahead of the game”, in everything that he did!
My first encounter with Transports Leyx was back 64/65, rushing to collect my backload from the enormous Gennevilliers works of Fridgidaire. I mistakenly turned down Avenue Louis Roche, and on my right saw the modern gatehouse with LEYX in vertical 4ft high individual letters above it. I stopped, and asked directions, which were freely, and kindly given by the men inside. I could see by the smooth tarmac drive, the yellow arrows, white painted offices, and warehouses that this was some outfit of stature…let alone the “new” Relax cab Berliet TR250 4x2 tractors parked by the fence, and a lone Berliet TLM10 with a massive winch behind the cab. But I was off to join the line of G Borca et Fils Bernard, and Mack units with their immaculate and imposing American Dorsey stainless steel trailers outside the Frigidaire works.
Ten years later, and in the company of a representative of my new “Fleet Customer”, Via Location, (Via Truck Rental), I was chauffered past that still imposing gatehouse, and was immediatley struck by the vast 15 metre high white painted warehouse to my left, with a large pillared 70 metre extension carrying the enormous overhead Meili crane. (Known to employees as the “White Elephant”…but not the English conutation of this expression)!!! It was just Big, and White!! The offices were right in front, two white single story buildings, end on to a large warehouse workshop bearing the name Leyx, Cofeip, (a subsidiary packing company), Bousquet Robert Leyx`s packing and shipping company.
But why was Via, our client taking me to Leyx, (which was in the throes of being sold to the growing and powerful group SCAC, (Societe Commercial D`Affretment et Commission), and would shortly be changing its name to SCALEX, (Societie Camionage Lourd et Exceptionelle), and with that would come the colour change from deep green and red, to black and red, but the people, and ethos would remain the same.
But Via had been integral to the growth of Leyx, for Robert Leyx had founded his company back in the early 50s based at Saint Ouen, Seine, expanding by acquiring the Avenue Louis Roche site in the 60s, and then developing it in terms of warehousing, and industrial packing facilities. But this sucked cash away, and Robert Leyx needed vehicles to compete in the market place…the answer, rent them in! But who would rent to a heavy hauler, with a packing operation? The answer, a number, for Leyx had secured much work with Poclain from their works at Plessis-Belleville, both to the docks at L`Havre, and also Rouen…(those of you who know remember just how big those docks were, or just how steep the ascent of the Cote Bonsecour on the RN14 was with some weight on your back)! The relationship with Via grew, it included TR250 Berliets, 4x2,&6x4, (including if I remember correctly a rare double sleeper high roof version). Trailers, conventional tilts, to trombone extendables, plus a rare, (and highly rated Hanomag Henshell 6x4 F221 SB at around 70 tonnes, whose 11 litre 6cylinder engine and ZF 680 12 speed was highly regarded by everyone who drove her…less so the V8 ■■■■■■■ Krupp that they ran!
The packing side worked closely with Massey Fergusson agricultural tractors, and I recall some involvement with military vehicles…Panhard? Then there was a lifting, and industrial maintenance division Societie Levage et de Montage Industriels, (SOLMI), who looked after all sorts of utilities, including the RAPT Paris underground lifting equipment…
Also in the fleet were all sorts of light and middleweight vehicles, working in association with the packing company, Berliet Stradair`s, with their twin air suspended axles, odd looking Berliet GLR 10S fitted with a central single cab, for the carriage of long lengths of steel either side of the cab, whose egress was via a single door in the cab rear…next to the 4/5 tonne crane! Then there were the 10 tonne Saviem and Berliets…most rented from Via A couple of big V8 Unics swb 6x4s…Orrible lookers…
Then came the big ones the Berliet TBOs, 6x4s, one ex Tpts Beauderet of Lyon, a Ricardo 240hp, day cab, a 15M3 day cab that I think was Via`s, plus another three, all with day cabs. Resplendent with dark green cabs, red wheels wings and nose cones, (including red radiator blinds), boy were they good lookers, and great puller/pushers irrespective of it having a 15 litre 240, or a mega power turbo 320!!!
And a little plug for “our” Saviem SM340VT 6x4s true 110/120 tonners, loved by the crews for their comfort, and the push on ability of the V8 335hp MAN engine, (and as per fergie 47s picture, Scales still run MAN power today! Then we began to sell direct into Scalex/Leyx, (not pleasing Via at all)! Then we supplied direct a TRH320, with the 08.35.30 turbo V8, at 320 hp, but this really showed the way heavy haulage would go…same lorry 35/120 tonnes, (plus), sans problem!!!
But my love the Hors Code PRP-Willeme. The first, a 4m wb ex Didier Beauduret RD 202H with a 14 litre ■■■■■■■ at 90 tonnes, but a wheel and tyre change to 1400x20s and a gearbox change to Clark auto in 74/75 saw this former 90 tonner become a 180 tonner!!! Then Via rented to Leyx a real oddball, a TG100, 100 tonner, with a GM 8V71, and a double overdrive Fuller 9513, mainly to satisfy the Poclain work.
Also GM powered was their 8x4 TG 200 200 tonner, with V12 Detroit 12.71N @400hp, and like Mayer`s example it had a 13 speed Fuller…and I remember just how big was the winch behind the cab!!!
But the “Big Daddy” was the 8x8 TG250, with the ■■■■■■■ KTA 450 hp and a big Kysor on the roof!! Some lorry indeed. She only ran in the "new " black livery for a short time before being re liveried as Scalex, but still in red and black!
But I found it was the people that made Leyx/Scalex/Scales so dear to me. I did a lot of work with them, and took a lot of leg pulling, and micky taking…enjoyed it all…even when I found my Renault 4 had been fitted with a “Convoi Exceptionnel” board when I left it in their yard!!! (Leyx/Scalex ran a lot of Renault 4s and 6s as ■■■■■■ vehicles…all I think belonged to Via Truck rental)
Happy days indeed, A truly superb outfit, a trend setter, and a fabulous bunch of people…
michel , you have got me into trouble…my lady wife has just given me the ultimatum…“get in for your dinner…or I will refuse to cook for you”!!!
Perhaps a little Bollinger will calm her■■?
Cheerio for now…
Too much Bolli will give you gout,Sav.
Looks a nice magazine but I canny read it, Its a in bloody French!!!. Eddie.
erfguy:
Looks a nice magazine but I canny read it, Its a in bloody French!!!. Eddie.
Eddie if you use google chrome browser it will translate it into English I have copied and paste the translation for you
Founded in 1992, PAYLOAD immediately established itself as THE reference journal in the field of truck collection and all old commercial vehicles , in truth and in miniature : big truck carriers and trucks traders and artisans, vans Moving and vans delivery buses line and tourism buses urban, vehicle fire firefighters, military vehicles also, without forgetting the tractors and agricultural gear public works , police cars and police, the ambulances and hearses , the postal vans and many other commercial vehicles .
Every month, our readers and subscribers devour their favorite magazine, which continues to grow still offering a little more articles and items, some more memories of the heyday of Berliet , the Willème and Latil plying our national roads, Bernard , of Saurer and Unic parked quietly at noon on medians of truck stops . And what flavor have when resurrected in our pages, these tractors agricultural Vierzon , Vendeuvre , John Deere , Farmall and all others who once roamed fields and plowing our adolescence.
PAYLOAD : you said Utilities?
mistress The idea that led to the founding of our magazine, and has never since been disproved, is simple: “everything rolled useful is ours.” The saga of road transport the twenties to the seventies, history smelling the soil of agricultural machinery, quiet shuttles buses and coaches in our streets and on our roads, the so familiar feast of circus caravans and of advertising vehicles through our villages, the shiny red fire trucks “shifting” at any time of the fire firefighters closest … That’s all that, this indescribable magic of everyday life, that PAYLOAD revived every month to the delight of his readers, fans of these items or full-scale miniatures and scale models that represent them.
The hint of nostalgia, full of knowledge
What strikes first when leafing PAYLOAD is the atmosphere that emerges. Friendly nostalgia that made ​​our childhood and our youth, this big van Somua three axles struggled in the coast of Rochepot, this bus Citroën Type 45 which was jolting drop us off at the nearby village market, the famous large-scale Delahaye amount nimbly our firefighters on the 7th floor, good old tractor Vierzon “hot ball” who coughed and ■■■■■■ before attacking without weakening its ten acres of wheat … But that can not be deceived. Our monthly PAYLOAD , if fond of idealized images (and everywhere in France), is above all a veritable bible for fans who want to know more and more, a permanent guide for discerning connoisseurs, attentive accompanist for “addicted” in all areas of commercial vehicle . It is not an expert author of any of the topics ( trucks , coaches and buses , agricultural tractors , fire trucks , construction equipment , military vehicles , advertising , circus caravans , etc… ) who wrote or write regularly in our pages.
PAYLOAD book now, and growing
very well documented articles on all aspects of historic commercial vehicles , PAYLOAD offers every month to its readers a choice of regular columns particularly appreciated:
Roadmap: a calendar of events, exhibitions, gatherings of collectors of old vehicles , power exchanges, etc…
Mail readers, which takes the particularly captivating a photo safari to form shipwrecks , throughout France. How old trucks of old tractors , were able to be saved narrowly reinforcement and become collector vehicles through a passage in the columns of PAYLOAD .
the Atmosphere section, in which we find news associations of collectors , the latest in books on old utilities and a host of short stories.
the category Souvenirs, Souvenirs, which brings together a selection of old photographs commented, sent in by readers.
the New Miniatures , a topic of some ten pages listing all the latest discount commercial vehicles models appeared on the market.
ads that will surprise you by their number, diversity and clarity. The variety of old cars for sale each month reflects the vitality of a phenomenon of collection “not quite like the others.” Certainly, it is a little bulky, but how to resist the temptation to park in a beautiful surrender Berliet GLB freshly restored 1955 … (for my part, I cracked!).
Finally, and this is reserved for our subscribers PAYLOAD offers an extraordinary collection of facsimiles of advertising flyers former all manufacturers involved in the saga of the van , they are as famous as Renault and Panhard , or as unknown that Laffly or Rochet-Schneider Each year in September, four new models are added to the collection. You already know PAYLOAD ? So you no need to sing the praises. But if you find our magazine, go a little further. I invite you to a guided tour of these pages.
Jean-François Colombet
Editor
cheers Johnnie
Evening Gentlemen…
Michel, from the web site that looks a good quality publication, far better than the “old lorry” magazines produced in the UK, (some of their articles only serve to turn me into a “grumpy old man”, as the published articles are so far away from fact s of the period)! That looks good…I wonder if I could sneak a subscription, (claiming that it deals with agricultural vehicles)! alongside my , (necessary), farming books?
Now as its Juin 5em…a little story…and a very true one…
I am dispatched from Suresnes down to Blainville as it is decreed that I will host two Directors of our new agent for the UK, Nickerson Commercial Vehicles, on a factory tour! So I set forth in my road burning Renault R4 for Normandy…
At the “works”, situated between the River Orne, and the Canal at Blainville, betwixt Ouisterham and Caen, and a few klicks from the Pegasus Bridge, I sign for the "company " R16 Renault, (in Saviem blue…of course)…and set sail for the Hotel Malherbe in Caen, (sadly once the Gestapo Headquarters in Caen), where reside our guests.
On arrival, (19.30 hours), there is some disturbance outside…a couple of German registered Tour Buses, are parked, their passengers staring up at the upper windows, then shouting and dashing about…what is going on■■?
As I ascend to the upper story, and knock at the door of the Suite occupied by my guests, I suddenly find an aged waiter at my side…smiling broadly… balanced soundly in his hand is a silver platter piled high with Nuts…
The door suddenly opened…a silver haired man shouted…“ammo”…grabbed the nuts and shot back inside…
I entered to find two men, in late middle age, either side of the opened window, with deliberate aim, sending the contents of the Nut Tray, down onto the hapless German Tourists below!!! That was my first meeting with Michael North- Coates, and Arvian Lewellyn Jones, Directors of Nickerson Commercial Vehicles!!!
A strategic withdrawl was made, and we adjourned to an enjoyable repast at the Restraunt Quatre Vents…where I outlined the agenda for the next couple of days…
Factory Tour, see the RHD Saviem SM32.240s being built, road test, trip to the D Day Beaches…“No thanks old boy”, seen them before…and had they just!!!
Michael North-Coates had been in charge of an LCT, (Landing Craft Tank), Arvien Lewellyn- Jones had landed from a Glider at Pegasus Bridge…Yes, they had seen them before!!!
The following day, before I met with them, as standard with VIP visits, I had to check with Mdme Brochet, in charge of catering, and review the menu for lunch at the Factory Canteen…(Canteen is perhaps somewhat of an understatement…as with Venissieux, the Blainville canteen was a single service facility serving food of such a quality unknown to the average man…(me)! I mentioned to her the history of our Guests…
Lunch, the “canteen”…dining room could sit around 300, and it was full, (as normal), when the works Manager, and the senior CGT steward stood up, and silence descended…
I have difficulty in remembering the actual words, but I do remember, “eternal gratitude”“, without your courage”, and “it will never be forgotten”!!!
Both men, from very different backgrounds spoke from the Heart…I translated, and also was choked with emotion…
Proud, I will say so, blooming proud, and proud to be with such men…
If they had asked for some V8 SMs, or even our new SM280T Turbo, The whole hall stood and applauded…(including a number of “our” colleagues from MAN at Munich!!!l
Proud, boy was I such, just to be with such men, and to witness the real gratitude of the assembly…
If they had asked for anything, SM280T Turbo`s, or even SM 300 V8s, they could have had them… but sadly they stuck to the “puny” SM32.240…
But the people at the Works never forgot them, and what they had been part of!
June 5th, and June 6th…let us never ever forget.
Ishall raise a rather large Bollinger in the memory of so many!
Cheerio for now.
erfguy:
Looks a nice magazine but I canny read it, Its a in bloody French!!!. Eddie.
Eddie, you’ve restored my faith in human nature, I could’nt read it either!!!
It’s nice to know that interlectuals like sammyopisite are on hand to help us
poor plebs out.!! But I have’nt a clue what he means!!! I must ask my three
year old grandaughter wtf he’s on about 
Regards Kev.
Thanks for that charming vignette Saviem.
I was born in June 1945 and for some reason I always ‘well up’ when pictures of the vets. attending remembrance events show up on TV.
Here’s my slightly amended homage from the D Day thread.
I was lying in bed in deep slumber at 0600 on the 6th. when the phone rang. A driver with a curtainsider load of barrels called. Ignoring my explicit instructions he had relied on his satnav and was therefore stuck in one of our Kentish country lanes. An extremely grumpy Andy turned out and directed him to a safe parking area to await the arrival of my offloading crew. Returning to my car I looked around me at the lush green countryside, the mist still hanging on the trees’ resplendent in their summer dress. The air was clear and fresh and the birdlife was in full song. I paused for a minute or two and smiled. Life is good I thought and then it suddenly hit me that at this time seventy years ago the teens and twenties were battling on the shores of Normandy to rid France and later Europe of the Fascist jackboot. They were sacrificing themselves, their bodies, their futures, the comfort of their firesides so that we could live lives untrammelled by conflict and ■■■■ ■■■■■■■■■■. Some were wounded, many lost limbs or sanity, truly awful numbers died on those tourist beaches on that June morning. I sat in the car before returning home and silently thanked them for the gift they gave to me of a peaceful family life possibly the longest period of peace in Europe for hundreds of years. Returning home I made a cup of tea and I thanked them again. And I will go on thanking them until my dying day!
Borrowed this of scrapbook memories thread hope they don’t mind, just to get us back on track.
Hi,Saviem,bit of info from Rylands,Millers bought a leyland clydesdale [ufk798x] instead of the Atki,ta,Pete
pete smith:
Hi,Saviem,bit of info from Rylands,Millers bought a leyland clydesdale [ufk798x] instead of the Atki,ta,Pete
Hello Pete, Evening all,
“Square Deal Neil”…that`s a name from the past. "Proper " lorry man, (he should be as he is from the Richardson Family)! First knew him when he rented an office from Chris Foster in Dudley. Then that horrific E Type accident, working with Chris Kelly at WestMid, in Mervyn Jacksons Yard , where , if I remember correctly Foulkes started the Neachells Hall Mercedes Benz Dealership, with the ex B&W people, in Neachells Lane.
I think Tony Kay ended up owning it. Then up in Blackheath, in Roy Jones`s yard running Eagle Truck sales. Now sadly under yet another Sainsburys. His late starts, and nocturnal habits drove Roy nuts,( but only now, can I appreciate the tremendous physical handicap that Neil struggled to overcome…a Head Injury is the most horrendous disability to cope with, and Neil did so , very well, and most, me included had not an inkling), and he turned in some great returns. He sourced some really nice Scanias, and was always up for a great deal, whatever you had…I can still remember the VW LT35 Artic I had from him…and the 8LXB 400 serie, then there was the “iffy” P92…but it was only to pull a traction engine!
Never knew that Neil was at Rylands, in the old Dudley Motor Company Ford Dealership premises. Funny how “we” all followed each other around…I was at Old Hill Motors, down the hill in Old Hill, then we were taken over by Ryland, and they moved us to Nethertons Saltwells Road, halved the commission on sales, and argued about paying it!!! So off I went to Hartshornes, and my pal Chris Kelly was moved from Ryland Street to Saltwells Road.
I set about kicking hell out of Rylands…not hard with the F86, tractor and rigids, and the odd 88. Whenever I was delivering a new one, I used to stop opposite Saltwells Road, outside the school, just so they could see the ex Atkinson/Seddon, operators name on the door!!..Yes I know its childish…but I was very sore…So was Chris, so much that he also left to set up West Mid, about the time I left for France, then it seems Neil took up the challenge!
Does anyone know what happened to Neil? Last time I saw him was at Frank Watkins Funeral at St Asaph, hope that he has done OK, for he is a good fellow…Even if he was unsuccesfull at Millers…no Seddon 200 would have lasted on that work…or those cobbles!!!
Thanks for the memories…hope the rain stays away…more bales to do tommorow…
Cheerio for now.
Hi,Saviem,last time i saw Neil he lived in yew tree lane,top of hill on powke lane,his yard was down oak lane/hams lane? kingswinford
Hi, Saviem, lifted my first earlies this week- brilliant Winstons. None of this supermercado cr*p in my plot!
Retired Old ■■■■:
Hi, Saviem, lifted my first earlies this week- brilliant Winstons. None of this supermercado cr*p in my plot!
We lifted early spuds and ate them two weeks ago. What are you playing at ?
Cheers Dave.
I waited for mine to look like spuds, not peas!
Mine came with a little packet of blue salt included, tasty! 
Pete.
Retired Old ■■■■:
I waited for mine to look like spuds, not peas!
Can supply you with photo of ours Casey 
Not that we are into competitions and the like.
Cheers Dave.
Evening all, well we trial lifted some Wilja,…so big they looked like" Gorillas Testicals"…did suggest a marketing name to our client…she blushed…ah well another lead balloon!
Cheerio for now…no they are not Chemical Spuds…leave that to the Poles!
Bloke-Who-Married-The-Sprog prefers his spuds covered in salt & fat, too. Must be something to do with the Cotswold air!
I shall be down among you at the end of this month, dog sitting at Fairford while they enjoy the luxury life in exotic climes. Old ■■■■■ are useful sometimes
Photo of mine will be on here tomorrow night,Dave, just to make you and Saviem jealous.
