Saviem's fan club (Part 1)

[saviem]

Fergie47:
A few old’ns

Fergie, where do you dig these up from?

ATA, (Association Transports Artisans),Pierre Coin, and Rene Palhier, started out pre WW2, then early post WW2 concentrated on the import of Algerian Wine via Sete Port., I recall being told that they could reach Paris within 15/18 hours…quite some going in the late 40s early 50s.

ATA was amongst the first to co operate with the French Railways, (SNCF), regarding long distance traffic. They operated some FAR/Scammell 3 wheelers, as well as some Scammell coupling equipped 4x2 Berliet Tractors, both in St Etienne, and Paris.

Your picture shows one of the `50s Berliet GGLM10R s with the 10 litre Turbo, (not a reliable lorry), but what a looker…handsome is she not!

The brothers in law, Piere, and Rene, moved into passenger transport, running Berliet, and Chausson chassis in the 50s, but the haulage side developed year on year. I remember dealing with them in the 70s, when they were operating TR280 tractors, and double bottoms in conjunction with the SNCF,as well as Saviem JP 11s.

Ireally lost touch with them in the early 80s when they were absorbed into the Groupe Casino. The work hat ATA had, Rockwell, Marrel, Soma,was good paying work, leading to their absorbtion by TRF in the 90s.

But I can remember those magnificent Maroon, and white ATA Berliet drawbar 35 tonne outfits on the RN82, and 7 back in the early 60s…never dreaming that I would be in their offices in the late 70s…ah, such is life…and what beautiful machines to envy!!!

Cheerio for now.

[michel]

Not only Berliet GLM10R turbo but later Saviem JL20.200 Henschel engine with trailer.

[saviem]

michel:
Burton was in a village named Roches sur Marne and begun with Saviem because the dealer for the district was a strong one called “Chaumont Poids Lourds” owned by Mr Desnouveaux and later this man died in a plane crasch and his wife managed alone the dealership.
The colour of Burton 's fleet was cream and red (Saviem) and later white and orange (Renault), many factories were nearby : Isorel,Sollac and Mac Cormick which gave business close to the premises. In the 90th ,the company was sold to Giraud and close a few years later.

Evening all,

Since I read your post Michel, the old “grey cells” have been ticking along…amazing what memories they come up with!

I remember M et Mdme Desnouveaux as a delightful couple. He a very clever engineer, and she, “minding the pennies”, (as we say over here).

Apart from the Dealership, which was very active, holding 43% of their local market, M Desnouveaux, had in 1973 founded a new company, SNOM, (Societie nouvelle d`organes mechaniques). This operation re conditioned Saviem mechanical parts. Engines, Gearboxes, Turbo chargers, and injection equipment.

By 1978 the operation employed nearly 200 staff, and was producing reconditioned components, (engine blocks, turbo chargers, injection equipment for all the MAN 2156, and 2356 normal, and turbo engines, plus the V8 used in the SM300. Add gearboxes, from the SG right through to the SM ranges, plus a multitude of other bits and pieces).

The S.N.O.M. operation had 6 complete engine test cells, 3 for gearboxes, and I remember a capital investment in machine tools of around 7million FF, and an annual turnover circ 30million FF. Not a bad bit of organisation, that in 1977 reconditioned 1382 MAN engines, 6139 Saviem, (4, & 6 cylinder), engines, and 3648 gearboxes!

The S. N. O. M. operation became a core part of Saviem`s exchange programme, (D.C.A.V. exchange and renovation)

This, in `78 was rolled out as the “Groupe Embielle”, covering major component recondition, and supply via the Saviem Network of main Dealers. Which proved to be a great “added value” Dealer profit centre.

I remember the Desnouveaux`s as a modest, and supremely capable couple, whose company I greatly enjoyed. That their business still survives is a just testament to their endeavours…but what became of S.N.O.M.? someone must have absorbed this business, and its expertise.

By gum , Michel, I had almost forgotten about Xavier Burton, let alone Chaumont PL…talk about memories!!!

A small Bollinger is called for…

Cheerio for now!

[fergie47]

Hello John…

In answer to you’re question " Fergie, where do you dig these up from?"

I buy several French classic lorry mags, I have a French friend who sends me disc’s of his photo’s, and another who I have access to his album via the computer…enough for a few more yet, glad you’re enjoying them…

To match Michel’s post of A.T.A’s motors, may I add some more ?..click to enlarge pic.

[fergie47]

Saviem has covered these beauties before on here, but they’re fascinating little beasts all the same…not that I’d ever want to drive one. !!!

[chrisarbon]

Another company that has intrigued me: Transport Vialle et Fils.

Since 1983, I have made frequent trips to the Dordogne and a common site on the roads between Perigord and the UK were the lorries of Vialle et Fils from Thiviers. Dark blue Volvos and then Ivecos. Why didn’t they run French built units like most of the big outfits? Why did they disappear over-night?

I can remember seeing their lorries with Polish registrations, also SS Spanish plates from San Sebastian, then nothing.

[fergie47]

Here you go…about the mid fifties I think…

[saviem]

ChrisArbon:
Another company that has intrigued me: Transport Vialle et Fils.

Since 1983, I have made frequent trips to the Dordogne and a common site on the roads between Perigord and the UK were the lorries of Vialle et Fils from Thiviers. Dark blue Volvos and then Ivecos. Why didn’t they run French built units like most of the big outfits? Why did they disappear over-night?

I can remember seeing their lorries with Polish registrations, also SS Spanish plates from San Sebastian, then nothing.

Evening all,

Fergie, thanks for the pictures, STA was a company that I had a fair bit of time with, a very professional outfit…and those little Scammell FARs …I always had a soft spot for them…particularly after a day “sorting” through the rubbish left at their Gennivilliers works after they had closed…you would be amazed at what I found, (and kept)…all courtesy of the “security guard”, a nice Vietnamese guy, and the brother of my Landlord of my “palatial” Paris “Digs”…now there are some stories to be told!

Chris, you do dig up some interesting outfits!..and with some history as well!!!

Vialle et Fils, of La Croix Saint Jacques, Thievers, down in the Dordogne. Established I think in the late 20s, by the 50s running 20 odd motors. By the 70s Raymond, and Francoise were running the operation, big in Fruit from the Dordogne, (they owned Picon ETS),and had bought the automotive parts distributor Keuldias in Belgium. They also had an operation in Morocco, as well as Spain.The one subsidiary that I remember well was Tpts Garrigue from Fumel, run by Henri, son of Raymond…and quite profitable.

By the 80s they were running a fleet of around 800 units and trailers,with , (registered), 11 subsidiaries, and as many outfits that grew too quickly were , (perhaps), cutting corners…of the 1200 “staff”, over 10% were from the Polish, “subsidiary”, Polska Logistik…the authorities began to take an interest…and around 2010 Vialle were in receivership and gone.

Hey ho, seems to be the way of the world…pehaps Michel, or Davidoff may know more about them.

Me, well , I think that as there seems to be so much interest in haulage to the Middle East in the 60s and 70s, then perhaps I should write a little about the French company`s engaged in that traffic…

But for tonight I shall take refuge in a little, light Bollinger…for tomorrow I have to become a decorator…and beautify all the bare walls that have resulted from my endeavours of this day!

Adieu, mes braves.

[saviem]

Fergie47:
Last. but not least V.I.T transport, big in the 60’s and 70’s running out to M.E. seen all over the place. Bet John can tell a story about this great company

VIT and Onatra, my favourite companys in all of France!

In the beginning…

[oiltreader]

This thread is a must daily visit for me, French transport archive unearthed with the indefatigable input of detailed knowledge from monsieur Saviem…peerless.
Apologies for the diversion, this one is for a Fergie, snapped in a field on the Isle of North Uist, sadly succumbed to the ravages of the weather, though the share and board being steel are bearing up quite well.
Oily

[chrisarbon]

Fergie47:
Here you go…about the mid fifties I think…

Thanks for that great photo, Fergie47. A fine looking truck but a bit before any of my trips down the RN21. Thanks to Saviem, too, for the info on Vialle. When I think back to the early 80s, if things had worked out different, I could well have become a Vialle driver. If not Vialle then Rougier, from just north of Chalus on west side of the 21. A mixed fleet in green and white with a variety of trailers. They must have been a lorry salesman’s dream; at least one truck from every maker in Europe and some American stuff as well. Even a R600 Mack. But as they say, “Every hand’s a winner and every hand’s a loser.”

[fergie47]

Chris arbon…This more your era…

[fergie47]

oiltreader:
This thread is a must daily visit for me, French transport archive unearthed with the indefatigable input of detailed knowledge from monsieur Saviem…peerless.
Apologies for the diversion, this one is for a Fergie, snapped in a field on the Isle of North Uist, sadly succumbed to the ravages of the weather, though the share and board being steel are bearing up quite well.
Oily

Oily…bought a double one worse than that a few years back, stripped, re-built, painted, and used in a few ploughing competitions…see if I can find a before and after pic…thanks for posting that one, brought back a few memories.

[saviem]

Saviem:

Fergie47:
Last. but not least V.I.T transport, big in the 60’s and 70’s running out to M.E. seen all over the place. Bet John can tell a story about this great company

VIT and Onatra, my favourite companys in all of France!

In the beginning…

Evening all…

So there I am, 90 minutes into a thesis on French Middle East Hauliers of the 60s and 70s, when…pheut…everything went black…the old (aged ), electronic do, dah, flashed onto its battery…I pressed submit…and two days later, that is all you, and I got for my work…

Another gigantic Crow…across two wires of our main overhead supply…11000 volts…no wonder there was not much evidence left…Kamakazie Crows…Nice chaps that work for the Philadelphia Power Company, (Central Networks to those of us in the UK)…quite surprised when they called round at 0100 hrs on the Monday morning, to find the Farm and yard ablaze with lights, (courtesy of my 6 cylinder John Deere generator…actually a genie mounted on the 3 point linkage of one of the Deere`s I have kept…quite surprised them, it did.

But the old computer thing seems to have had a mortal injury…“it do werk”…so this is coming off Daughters, (she has gone to the WI), little thing, (d`ont know the correct terminology for it…

So a bit brief on what I can say…must get a new computer thing…but I really need so much else…Wacker Plate, set of rollers for the little Pasquali 60 hp, flail mower,…but must keep in touch…so have to go into town to get something I suppose!

Anyway, what right do mega Crows to fly at night , particularly when they should know that there are power lines across the fields?

[saviem]

Oh grief…I cannot control this little thing at all…

So French Middle East Hauliers will have to wait until I can get sorted with something big enough for me to see what Im doing on it!

Chris, you would have done better with Rougier, than Vialle, when you were up and down those roads Michel Rougier must have been in charge. Nice company, very sensible with cash flow, never extended themselves!

Yes, it was a mixed fleet, the deal on the day got the business, but kept everyone on their toes. Smart operation, and kept their lorries in good fettle. Ran from Pagaes, and were well into hazardous work, (and premium rates that it gave). Did a lot of tipper work, with good Benalu trailers, and 3 way rigid tippers, as well as Longue distance with Savoyards.

Michel drove the business well, but kept the fleet to manageable proportions,( around 50 odd), when I knew them. Very smart in green and white, the same livery was on their offices at the top end of their yard. I think that they ended up as Volvo, Renault, DAF, fleet. But I can remember their Macks, very popular as a tractor in France in the 70s, and a blooming good lorry to run…and really nice to drive!

Oilly, those were very kind words, thank you, but its all the other guys like Fergie, and all the other contributors that keep it going. Me, I just ramble on, but I do enjoy remembering those happy days in the "Hexagon"..........(That nickname for France gave Saviem the imputus to christen its French domestic range of lorries the" Gamme H"......the range for France......(LHexagon)

Daughters headlights have just flashed across the farm gates…Id better put this device back…now where did I find it from■■?

Cheerio for now…

A stiff Bollinger is called for!

[chrisarbon]

Fergie47:
Chris arbon…This more your era…

Yes, I remember the F10s mostly with all-blue tilts. Do you have any pictures of Rougier lorries in their light metallic green livery? In fact the third big transport company in the La Coquille area had a very similar paint scheme. They came from out near Nontron and began with “G”, but not Galliard, any ideas? Saviem?

[davidoff]

Hello Gentlemen,

What a nice turn this thread is taking, with a close-up of the then very interesting transport microcosm in my native Dordogne.
I would love to take some serious time and post a proper recount of this transport environment as I had some contact with in the late 90s, but work is taking on most of my available spare time at the moment particularly since I am also involved with two consecutive historic truck runs in the North of England, namely the ■■■■■■■■■■ truck run the weekend of Sept 4th-5th and coming weekend we are doing a partial participation in a run which is starting in Dumfries, on to Alnwick, then Whitby then finishing in York on Sunday.
I hope it will be as great as the ■■■■■■■ run two weeks ago. When time permits I might post a few photos of that on here, some legendary vehicles… and men!
But back to the Dordogne. I have some vivid memories of Transports Vialle (and their conspicuous fleet of dark blue IVECO Turbostars in the 1980s), Doumen (still going, usually an immaculate fleet), but also some smaller operators like S.A. Jean Raynal and old Jean Raynal’s (now deceased) eternal loyalty to M-B, or transports Migot in Brive la gaillarde (now also gone).
Chris, do I understand correctly that you might have been on for Vialle at some point? How interesting!
As for your little quizz in the Nontron area, I do remember a small operator (still going as far as I know), namely Monsieur Mondout in La Coquille (who for years had an old N88 and an old F88 parked up outside), but I bet you are referring to les transports Gauthier from St Pardoux la Rivière and their equally immaculate fleet of mostly Berliets then Renaults, though I think they had the occasional sprinkling of Mercedes, did they not?
One man on here knows them inside out, namely David/SPARDO, whom by the way I have not seen for some time, I hope he is well and simply kept busy with his other activities.

When I have a bit more time available I might post some stories on here on these operators (also Transports Beaugier in Trélissac with their beautiful Volvo F10 Globies, or transports Valade with their blue-and-gold IVECO Eurostars and Renaults), and their heavy reliance upon the big local papermill les papeteries de Condat where I spent a few Months working as a trainee, only to witness the first arrivals of East European operators, then still with their old and shaky Liaz and Tatras.

I wish you all a good day, and please keep this excellent thread as lively as it has been from the start!
I am off not to a Bollinger but merely a frugal café au lait

[michel]

[michel]

Beginning of Gauthier (24) St Pardoux : Berliet GLR 5 cylinders engine.

[fergie47]

michel:
Beginning of Gauthier (24) St Pardoux : Berliet GLR 5 cylinders engine.

Lovely photo Michel… Sums up the era perfectly…