Five Citroen-Berliet models for Earls Court
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• Citroen-Berliet is to have five vehicles on show at Earls Court. Three are Citroens — a Currus 240 CD ambulance conversion on a DS 20 chassis, an Ami-8 van and a GS van. Berliet will be represented by two heavy trucks and although neither vehicle is new, both are displayed for the first time in Britain. The GBH 12 is a 6 x 4 tipper chassis rated at 26 metric tons. Under the C and U Regulations the rear bogie spread of 1.35 metre is limited to 18.5 tons but this capacity, together with the front axle of 6.5 tons, allows a useful tolerance of the maximum permissible gvw of 24 tons. The standard wheelbase version — 15ft 3in. — has an unladen weight of 8.35 tons and payload with a 12 Cu yd tipping body is about 12.6 tons.
The GBH 12 uses a 12-litre six-cylinder Berliet engine of 250 bhp and an eight-speed synchromesh Berliet or six-speed ZF AK 6-80 gearbox.
Berliet tractive units are represented by the TR 300. This two-axle unit has axle capacities of 6.5 tons and 13 tons and a maximum gcw rating of 35 metric tons. The kerb weight is 6.55 tons and power is from a Berliet V8 12.8-litre diesel which gives 300 bhp at 2500 rpm and 690 lb ft torque at 1600 rpm. The gearbox is a Berliet eight-speed using a 0.72 to 1 overdrive top gear.
At the moment Berliet has no plans to sell these vehicles in Britain and is bringing them to the Show to gauge operator reaction.