Nice to see you posting again Fergie, I put this shot on here for the benefit of Saviem as think this was just before he went over Cenis in his five pot Foden but he did mention gravel roads in places, love this picture Buzzer.
Buzzer:
Nice to see you posting again Fergie, I put this shot on here for the benefit of Saviem as think this was just before he went over Cenis in his five pot Foden but he did mention gravel roads in places, love this picture Buzzer.
“Saviem” probably took this shot for his family album!!! Cheers Bewick.
**Saviem John…**Nice to be back, just so busy during the summer months ( like you)…Another great write up on Borca, use to envy their drivers, well, a big yank with a sleeper versus Big J without, no contest 
Have a few more pictures lined up to bring back a few memories for you !!
Buzzar John. How are you, all’s well I hope with the family, and at Tracy Island ? Lovely old picture of Mt Cenis mate, bit before my time, but good pic of Mappo ( white cap and cape, showing off as usual ) 
Bewick Den…Just a hint of sarcasm there I thought, then no, after all, Bewick being sarky, never.
How are you Den, getting near that time of year, Brie and plonk rouge, do you want to organise the shipping this year ? all my attempts have ended in disaster, blame that Detroit Diesel bloke myself… 
A few more oldies…
Early Xmas card for you all…
It’s not French I know, but it’s old…
Lorry drivers…French style…
And the sort of wagon they drove.
Hey, on the right a typical French driver, a good dinner, take it relaxed but always ready to give you a hand.
Eric,
tiptop495:
Hey, on the right a typical French driver, a good dinner, take it relaxed but always ready to give you a hand.Eric,
Great photo Eric… 
Have a look at these, Francophiles:
The later ones seem to be touring coaches cut down into tractor units, coupled to semi trailers with living accommodation made out of errr… more touring coach bodies. Why did they not just leave the coaches as they were, and travel/live in them? Can anyone with a knowledge of the French circus community explain that?
I found them here- there are loads more:
flickr.com/photos/daf-2600/
[zb]
anorak:
Have a look at these, Francophiles:
1
0The later ones seem to be touring coaches cut down into tractor units, coupled to semi trailers with living accommodation made out of errr… more touring coach bodies. Why did they not just leave the coaches as they were, and travel/live in them? Can anyone with a knowledge of the French circus community explain that?
I found them here- there are loads more:
flickr.com/photos/daf-2600/
‘Camper Vans R Us!’ then! Actually, there is some logic to their cut-down buses. When I bought an old double-decker Leyland PD2 27/A double-decker to live in (for a couple of years) over 20 years ago, I seriously thought of acquiring a showman’s living-van and a regular (ERF-preference in my case) tractive unit SO THAT IN THE EVENT OF BREAKDOWN OF FAILURE I’D STILL HAVE A MEANS OF MOVING FROM A TO B. This appears to be the logic here. Robert
Looking through the window !!
Garage scene.
Some more of our French cousins…you we never alone at either luch or dinner time, there were drivers to talk to, even if you could’nt speak French… always the pen and the papper table cloth !!
Evening all,
Where does one start? Thanks to everyone for the pictures…No, Dennis, not from my family album, (those that I have from a similar period are all Canal boats operated by my Great Grandfather, and Grandfather). Buzzer, where do you get such super shots from? Mountain passes…
I was “lucky”, in so much as many of the customers that I had to deliver to in France were medical establishments, Preventoriums, Clinics, Hospitals, located up high in the clean air of the Mountains. I picked my own routes, so got to know the Lauteret, Izoard, Galibier,Petite Saint Bernard,Col de l`Iseran, and further afield , via Cenis, Mont Genevre, and all manner of twisty little routes over the hills. Did you ever drive that little horror up to Susa, via the Colle Bregiere, and Colle delle Finestre…real wheel nut counting gradients, and with quite a bit of gravel back in the mid 60s, but many Cols had poor surfaces then!
But the men who really knew their way around the mountains were the drivers for Lait du Mont Blanc…the places that they went with those articulated Milk tanks, (even more amazing was that Dairy Farming could take place up in the clouds)! Boy could those boys drive ,big old Berliets, and tandem axle tanks, on mountain roads where a Renault 4 would seem large!
Thinking about narrow roads I once misread a map, and found myself on a very narrow, and incredibly steep bit of Sicilian" Goat Track" from Santo Stefano di Comastra up to Portolla del Contrasto…not made for a Foden Micky Mouse at all, let alone with a Boden box on the back!!..ah the folly of youth…overconfidence…still we got through!
Fergie, the yard with the ex Borca Lorries and trailers was off the old RN9 at Coren les Eaux, near Saint Flour. Looked to be a big and overgrown site, with all sorts of Berliets, Willemes etc, but what cought my eye was an ex Borca Stainless Steel Fruehauf tandem, down by the road, and I could see an ex Borca Mack-Bernard with a Pelpel cab up the hill!! But as ever, it was all locked up!
Must open a new Bollinger, the memories make me thirsty…
Cheerio for now.
Apologies, just a quick thought on Anoraks post…
No those Circus caravans and units are not, certainly not, cut around buses!!!
Its a big subject, and one that in France has a large following, (as in Holland, Belgium, Germany, and Italy). I have been fortunate to get to know over a many years a number of Circus families, and learn a little of their history, and in many cases how the UK families worked in with them to present the most spectacular of shows, both in Europe and the UK.
To address some of your pictures, in particular those of Circus Pinder. A show first created back in the 1800s! The particular caravans pictured are from the period of the 1950s, when the Circus was run by Charles Spiessert, (whose own spectacular articulated caravan, drawn by a V8 Ford 698, was almost as long as the frontage of his Chateau at Chanceaux sur Choisille, and far more spectacular than the examples shown, which were for the “stars” of the show).
The second one shown would appear to be the one used by the singer Gloria Lasso, in the late 50s, drawn by a spectacular Ford V8 F798W. The spectacular coachwork was by the renowned builder Assomption. Others on your pictures would appear to be by Chereau. These “home from home” outfits would be parked as an attraction of the delights to come when the Circus arrived in town…and remember just how Rural, France was in the 50s…they must have looked like outfits from another planet!
Other spectacular caravans were built by Viguier, Heuliez, and our old friends at Rouen, Le Barsteward, (if you get my drift to miss the auto sensor)!!! Panhard, and Citroen commercials were popular drawing units with the Circus families, and none more so than those operated by Monaco based Francki Brothers, and even the German Circus Williams ran them alongside their Fauns.
Fascinating bit of French lorry history the Circus vehicles…Anorak, thanks for the memories…
A large Bollinger calls…
Cheerio for now.
Saviem:
Apologies, just a quick thought on Anoraks post…No those Circus caravans and units are not, certainly not, cut around buses!!!
Its a big subject, and one that in France has a large following, (as in Holland, Belgium, Germany, and Italy). I have been fortunate to get to know over a many years a number of Circus families, and learn a little of their history, and in many cases how the UK families worked in with them to present the most spectacular of shows, both in Europe and the UK.
To address some of your pictures, in particular those of Circus Pinder. A show first created back in the 1800s! The particular caravans pictured are from the period of the 1950s, when the Circus was run by Charles Spiessert, (whose own spectacular articulated caravan, drawn by a V8 Ford 698, was almost as long as the frontage of his Chateau at Chanceaux sur Choisille, and far more spectacular than the examples shown, which were for the “stars” of the show).
The second one shown would appear to be the one used by the singer Gloria Lasso, in the late 50s, drawn by a spectacular Ford V8 F798W. The spectacular coachwork was by the renowned builder Assomption. Others on your pictures would appear to be by Chereau. These “home from home” outfits would be parked as an attraction of the delights to come when the Circus arrived in town…and remember just how Rural, France was in the 50s…they must have looked like outfits from another planet!
Other spectacular caravans were built by Viguier, Heuliez, and our old friends at Rouen, Le Barsteward, (if you get my drift to miss the auto sensor)!!! Panhard, and Citroen commercials were popular drawing units with the Circus families, and none more so than those operated by Monaco based Francki Brothers, and even the German Circus Williams ran them alongside their Fauns.
Fascinating bit of French lorry history the Circus vehicles…Anorak, thanks for the memories…
A large Bollinger calls…
Cheerio for now.
Watched last night a member of one of the great Circus families, Nick Wallenda? walk a tightrope to a world record in the USA. Unbelievable.
Ignoring the fact that his name sounds like a quick jump on a dark night, I think that circuses in general have had a great deal more respect in Europe and particularly Eastern Europe than they ever had in the UK, so possibly more money to invest in equipment - sounds a bit like haulage in general!
John
I must go,Fergie, the"Station du Bel Air" at Rochepot, that must be a modern picture, the mix of lorries…and the road was never that smooth when I used to grind past turning left up to Beaune,on my way to load the Vin. I think that the original Relais Bel Air closed down some years ago, and I thought that the Garage had also gone “west”. Nice to see that it has not.
Was that a rally for old lorries? Those “Shark Nose” Willemes are handsome lorries are they not, and the roads around the Cote de la Rocheport, Chalon, and Doubs are magical…(if you are not in a hurry)!
Those cab window shots from , (I presume), a Willeme embody everything that I loved about driving, and living in France…
I must go and have my tea…I fear a B… is coming my way…
Cheerio for now.
Saviem:
…
To address some of your pictures, in particular those of Circus Pinder. A show first created back in the 1800s! The particular caravans pictured are from the period of the 1950s, when the Circus was run by Charles Spiessert, (whose own spectacular articulated caravan, drawn by a V8 Ford 698, was almost as long as the frontage of his Chateau at Chanceaux sur Choisille, and far more spectacular than the examples shown, which were for the “stars” of the show).The second one shown would appear to be the one used by the singer Gloria Lasso, in the late 50s, drawn by a spectacular Ford V8 F798W. The spectacular coachwork was by the renowned builder Assomption. Others on your pictures would appear to be by Chereau. These “home from home” outfits would be parked as an attraction of the delights to come when the Circus arrived in town…and remember just how Rural, France was in the 50s…they must have looked like outfits from another planet!
Other spectacular caravans were built by Viguier, Heuliez, and our old friends at Rouen, Le Barsteward, (if you get my drift to miss the auto sensor)!!! Panhard, and Citroen commercials were popular drawing units with the Circus families, and none more so than those operated by Monaco based Francki Brothers, and even the German Circus Williams ran them alongside their Fauns.
Fascinating bit of French lorry history the Circus vehicles…Anorak, thanks for the memories…
A large Bollinger calls…
Cheerio for now.
Blimey- I never expected such a detailed and informative reply. Consider my cap appropriately doffed, at your broad knowledge!
There must have been some money floating around the circus community in the 1950s, to fund the purchase of such elaborate, purpose-built vehicles. I notice that, later on, Circus Pinder reverted to more “normal” vehicles- television taking their customers? Your post has inspired me to look for pictures of Monsieur Speissert’s caravan:
pauvert85.skyrock.com/2998476985 … -1996.html
portde.info/index.php?post/2 … que-pinder
guy26cirque57.skyrock.com/307903 … LLE-1.html
Saviem:
I must go,Fergie, the"Station du Bel Air" at Rochepot, that must be a modern picture, the mix of lorries…and the road was never that smooth when I used to grind past turning left up to Beaune,on my way to load the Vin. I think that the original Relais Bel Air closed down some years ago, and I thought that the Garage had also gone “west”. Nice to see that it has not.
Was that a rally for old lorries? Those “Shark Nose” Willemes are handsome lorries are they not, and the roads around the Cote de la Rocheport, Chalon, and Doubs are magical…(if you are not in a hurry)!
Those cab window shots from , (I presume), a Willeme embody everything that I loved about driving, and living in France…
I must go and have my tea…I fear a B… is coming my way…
Cheerio for now.
Hi John, yes, yes, and yes, can’t pull the wool over your eyes…Indeed a classic run, pic’s taken in sepia,
and as you correctly stated in ROCHEPOT…what a memory you have…
So, here are a few more new / old / classic’s on the same rally…enjoy.
Evocotive and very French photo…Old Berard + old chateau…what a combination.
And another
As John said, correctly, ROCHEPOT, and here’s the proof ( if any were needed )
Could have been taken many years ago, but it wasn’t…2014
Berliet, with it’s boss…
And another Berliet, with it’s boss as well.
Back to the future, same chateau, modern “truck”
Thanks to all those posting pic’s and comments… 
It seems the downloads via photobucket are showing the full picture, but when I post them on here the right hand edge part of the photo is missing, is it the same for you guys,? or is just my system ? What can you see, are all the pic’s complete ?
Test picture via my pictures, not photobucket :- it’s showing the complete front of the mack, the original shows the RH edge missing…
doubled up
Evening all, can I echo Fergies comments, and thank everyone who posts on this thread!
Fergie, I may be wrong, but on your post regarding the Rochport event, I have a strong suspicion that the handsome young chauffer, in front of his Berliet cattle lorry, is none other than our friend and contributor,…Michel…and also the owner of that handsome lorry!!
Anorak,to really whet your appitite, you may care to seek out pictures of the spectacular caravans built by the family Cordier, who traded as Carrosserie Beaunoise, at Beaune, Cote dOr. Their creations were the equal of the sumptuous offerings of Assomption. Alexis Gross, of the Radio Circus had a 9.5 metre drawbar version, and the Bouglione Bros had several examples, when on tour from Cirque dHiver in Paris.
Many of the spectacular drawing units were recabbed by Assomption when they built the articulated caravans, hence the futuristic design sitting atop humble Panhards, and Fords, but in the flesh, boy was the work of the highest quality.
For sheer presence few could equal the articulated Bar/Creperie run by John Robert Bonnell, and leased to Circus Pinder, when Pinder was operated by Jean Richard. Based on a wild west stagecoach, the Berliet TLB19 unit, and Fruehauf trailer was bodied by Chereau. On top, and surrounding the cab were two rearing grey Stallions, and on the front top of the trailer, which was bodied to resemble a stagecoach, was the stagecoach driver, wrestling with the reins…Once seen, never forgotten!!! Just imagine taking that into your local Test Station!!!
In the early 60s several Circus families were contracted by Radio stations, such as Luxemburg, & ORTF, and their shows broadcast nationally. The shows being part variety/music hall, and part animal acts…rather different to our domestic shows!
Been a long day fighting the rain, so I`m away for a Bollinger, then tea…(I hope)!
Cheerio for now.
Thank you for the “Young” boy ,Saviem, but I’am more than 64 years ild. We took part at this rally in May with 3 Berliet and my son’s Willeme. It was so nice to eat during two evenings in the “Bel-Air” which re-opened for us with the family cooking and serving.