Willème was a French truck manufacturer, specializing in heavy- and special-duty trucks.[1]
 | |
| Founded | 1923 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Louis Willeme |
| Defunct | 1970 |
| Headquarters | , France  |
| Products | Heavy trucks |
History
edit
Willème was founded in 1923[2] as Ets. Willème S.A. in Nanterre, France by Louis Willème, after working for Automobiles Grégoire.[3] The company built its first tractor truck in 1930; this had a 20-tonne (44,000 lb) GCWR.[4]
In May 1962 A.E.C and Willème signed an agreement in which A.E.C (Associated Equipment Company) will provide engine and components to Willème for its special purpose and heavy-duty truck range the first order was started off with 500 units of A.E.C diesel engines. This agreement also authorized Willème to assemble and distribute A.E.C. medium duty trucks.[5] By the end of 1962 Willème was assembling B.M.C (British Motor Corporation) trucks ranging from 1.5 to 7 tons capacity and also assembling A.E.C cargo and passenger vehicles in France alongside their own heavy-duty trucks.[6]
In 1970 Willème started to have difficulties with A.E.C and stopped manufacturing their trucks and attempted a switch to Volvo for sourcing the engines and components. At the 1970 Paris commercial vehicle show Willème showcased their first 6×4 tipper chassis, powered by Volvo's 270 hp (199 kW) engine supported by a Fuller 13-speed gearbox.[7] Willème went bankrupt in 1970 and PRP (Perez et Raimond Paris) took over the company.[8] PRP continued to manufacture heavy-duty trucks like the TG 100, 200, 250, and 300, offering them with Cummins, GM, Caterpillar and Mercedes-Benz engines capable of high payloads.[9]
TG300 was the most powerful truck offered by the company, a ballast tractor promoted as being capable of towing 1000 tonnes with a suitable hydraulic modular trailer. Trobosa, a Spain-based trailer manufacture also developed some TG300 models as it was a leading manufacturer of tank transporter and hydraulic modular trailers. In 1979, Belgium's MOL acquired the design rights of the TG range from PRP and continued to manufacture heavy-duty ballast tractors mostly in 8x8 configurations with Cummins engines, with towing capacity of 300 to 500 tons for oversize load transport applications.[10] In 1980 Creusot-Loire used the TG range of trucks as the basis in developing their T40A military tank transporter, an 8x6 configuration powered by a Detroit Diesel engine supported by a 13-speed Allison transmission.[11]
Products
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In the post-war years, Willème specialized in large lorries and tractors, and special duty trucks such as heavy haulage ballast tractors.[12]
Early models
editThe DW12A was used as a tank transporter by the French army.[13]
Post-war trucks: S10, L10, and R15
edit10- and 15-ton trucks, with Deutz engines, sold between 1945 and 1953.[8]
610 and 615 series
editSold 1953–1963.[8]
TL and LD series
editAvailable with both AEC and Willème engines.[8]
- The AEC-engined 5741-CG was sold as an 8-wheel heavy wrecker.[14]
- Some models, such as the W8SA, were also built as oilfield trucks.[15]
- RD 6x4[16]
Willème-PRP
editExternal links
edit
- Video of a restored Willeme TG200 ballast tractor
References
edit- ^ Lecat, Gilbert. Camions Willème, le roi des poids lourds. ETAI. ISBN 978-2-7268-8915-2.
- ^ "Gazoline: Camions Willème, le roi des poids lourds". Retrieved 3 January 2011.
- ^ Ward, Rod, ed. (7 August 2010). "Books". Model Auto Review News. No. 244. p. 24. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011.
- ^ Lenoir, Pierre (October 1964). "Évolution et situation des véhicules industriels en France" [Development and conditions of industrial vehicles in France]. Le poids lourd: Spécial Salon (in French). 49 (592): 99.
- ^ "Strong Objections to Portable Tanker Bid | 11th May 1962 | The Commercial Motor Archive". archive.commercialmotor.com. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
- ^ Moon, John P. (12 October 1962). "International Flavour at Paris Salon". Commercial Motor. Vol. 116, no. 2982. p. 61. Archived from the original on 27 July 2024.
- ^ Wilding, Tony (9 October 1970). "Berliet strikes a high note". Commercial Motor. Vol. 132, no. 3390. p. 52.
- ^ a b c d "Willème". Archived from the original on 15 July 2007. Retrieved 3 January 2011.
- ^ "Special French units | 21 September 1979 | The Commercial Motor Archive". archive.commercialmotor.com. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
- ^ Graham, Chris (23 August 2021). "Great eight-leggers!". Heritage Machines. Retrieved 8 June 2023.
- ^ "Frenchmem take on heavy duties". Commercial Motor. 12 January 1980.
- ^ Lenoir 1964, p. 101.
- ^ "Axis History Factbook: Composition of a B1bis battalion (France)". Retrieved 3 January 2011.
- ^ "Forget the Willeme wrecker... It's that mystery jet that Biglorryblog wants identified! - Biglorryblog". Retrieved 29 August 2012.
- ^ "Bonneted beauties at the old Brussels and Paris truck shows...Biglorryblog has a black & white nostalgia moment! - Biglorryblog". Retrieved 29 August 2012.
- ^ "More on the wonderful Willeme from 'The Brochure King' - Where else but on Biglorryblog?! - Biglorryblog". Retrieved 29 August 2012.
- ^ "More Willemes and Sisus on Biglorryblog - you can't beat a good heavy hitter. - Biglorryblog". Retrieved 29 August 2012.
- ^ "Wonderful Willeme shot by Mike B...and that's what I call a restoration says Biglorryblog! - Biglorryblog". Retrieved 29 August 2012.
- ^ "More wonderful Willemes on Biglorryblog...the pictures just keep coming in. - Biglorryblog". Retrieved 29 August 2011.
- ^ "Hard-working Willeme still hauling in China....who knows more about this heavy hitter asks Biglorryblog? - Biglorryblog". Retrieved 29 August 2011.
- ^ "Trabosa TBA1 8x8 pictures from cars photos on webshots". Retrieved 3 January 2011.