The Dinky Atlas Transport Saviem De Chevaux De Courses . available in Yellow and blue finish. Dinky Atlas in detail...

The Dinky Atlas Saviem-Sinpar 4x4 Porte-Fer . available in red & grey finish. Dinky Atlas in detail...

The French Dinky Saviem, Boite a Chevaux (Horse-box) Advertised as new in the second edition of the 1968 French Dinky catalogue, the 115mm long, Saviem horse transporter cost 23.25 fr. (new francs), about £3.1/-. Based on the Saviem Trafic SB2, the 1:43 scale diecast body, rear doors and tailgate were painted French Blue, the only colour offered by the manufacturer of the actual vehicle and the light brown side panels represented the vehicles wooden finish. The model had a white plastic roof, white seating, a black steering wheel and clear plastic windows surrounding the cab. The van had small translucent side windows and blue concave wheel hubs. The model’s accessories included a light green, two-wheeled racing cart, white racehorse, with black mane and a jockey sporting racing colours and a cap. Launched in early 1969, the Saviem Trafic SB2 was withdrawn in 1971.

Known as Harness Racing, the two-wheeled Sulky is the light-weight cart, most commonly ridden by the jockey, although a second type, called ‘Trot Monte’, where the jockey is mounted on the horse occurs in France. Popular throughout mainland Europe, in America and Australia, the races take place on a dirt track, in front of huge crowds. France’s most prestigious track is the Vincennes Hippodrome de Paris, where The Prix d’ Amerique takes place in late January, with a prize of 1 million Euros.

Saviem manufactured the actual SB2, Super Trafic 2, between 1965 and 1982. The petrol and diesel powered vehicles emerged from Saviem, the newly formed company resulting from the merger of Somua and Latil, with Renault. Production took place at their Blainville-sur-Orne plant from 1965-1980, when Saviem merged with Berliet to become Renault Vehicules Industriels. Although the Saviem name ceased to be used from 1980, the Trafic SB2, 4-cylinder, front wheel drive, Renault Super Goelette continued in production until 1982.

Cost 23.25 fr. available in blue & cream finish. French Dinky in detail...

The French Dinky Saviem-Sinpar 4x4 Porte-Fer In 1961, with the deletion of the Blaw-Knox bulldozer (885/1), French Dinky ceased the use of model number 885 until its re-introduction in 1966 as the Saviem-Sinpar 4x4, Porte-Fer (885/2), or iron and steel carrier. Advertised as newly introduced in the 1966 catalogue, the 222mm long truck cost 19.75 new francs, almost £2. The model’s highly unusual appearance reflected the vehicles half cab construction, with a blue overall clad driver sat within a red resin cab, which has plastic windows and sliding doors. The half cab is located centrally upon a grey flat-bed, with mountings for the steel rods and magnets, which keep the rods in place. Large 22mm XL square tread tyres fit the red resin wheel hubs. A red lantern hangs on the overhanging steel rods at the rear of the model. Eventually, this unique model was withdrawn in 1971.

In reality, the model was based upon the 4x4 Saviem JL29, which had its drive units, gear-box and differentials manufactured by Renault subsidiary, Sinpar. Coachbuilders, G. Pelpel, from St. Cloud, near Rennes, produced the tilting half cab above the engine compartment. The Saviem JL29 was one of several powertrains used for this vehicle, with UNIC, MAN, DAF, VOLVO and Renault engines. MAN and Perkins diesels powered the Saviem. Today, this half cab truck represents a rare historic vehicle, being replaced when changes to the law allowed larger tractor units and their articulated or semi-remorque trailers.Cost 19.75 Fr. available in red & grey finish. French Dinky in detail...

The Majorette Saviem Shell Tanker . available in red &yellow finish at 1:160 scale. Majorette in detail...

The Majorette Saviem Container . available in white finish. Majorette in detail...

The Majorette Saviem Chantier Available with a site hut either metallic blue with a white and orange hut, or yellow with a red and white hut. available in met. blue, yellow, red & yellow finish. Majorette in detail...

The Majorette Saviem Bach The army version is rare. available in olive drab, orange finish. Majorette in detail...

The Majorette Saviem Car Carrier . available in green re & yellow, red & yellow finish at 1:60 scale. Majorette in detail...

The Norev Saviem SC10U . available in green & cream finish. Norev in detail...

The Solido Saviem Fire Engine . available in red finish at 1:50 scale. Solido in detail...