Iconic Berliet Trucks: The T100, GLR8, Gazelle, GBC, Stradair and TR300 trucks 1957 - 1970

This is one of the largest trucks ever built in the world, with a gross vehicle weight of over 100 tonnes.

In 1957, French oil exploration in the Sahara was in full swing. Berliet was at the forefront and supplied most of the rolling stock used for both prospecting and drilling.

On the strength of this experience, the company's managers felt that there was room in this market for a super machine of at least 600 hp, capable of transporting indivisible loads of the order of 60 tonnes, like the drilling equipment, and capable of operating in areas that had previously been inaccessible.

The project started in January 1957. The engineers and workers of the Lyon-based firm accomplished the feat of producing the first model at the beginning of October, in 9 months. It was the T 100, with an engine of 600 and then 700 hp and a total cylinder capacity of 30 litres, measuring 13.30 m long and 5 m wide. Weighing 61 tonnes unladen, equipped with six-wheel drive with specific tyres, it is the largest truck ever produced in the world.

It took the way to the Paris Motor Show where, in 10 days, it received almost one million visitors. Another record for French industry.

In Algeria, two of these giant trucks took part in the great French oil adventure.

The “truck of the century”

The Berliet GLR, launched in January 1950 with a GVW of 12.5 t, ended its career 31 years later at 19 t.

The GLR is remarkable for the number of technical advances it benefits from: a 5-cylinder engine that became a reference, a functional short conventional cab giving ideal load distribution, a 2-speed axle for the tractor version, and very easy maintenance and repairs.

The GLR was an exceptional success with a total of over 100,000 units built. A jury of transport professionals, convened in 1994 by the French trade magazine Les Routiers, voted it "Truck of the Century"

The Berliet Stradair, the world's first truck with variable air-cushion suspension.

In the early 1960s, Berliet decided to launch a five-tonne payload vehicle, the Stradair, in the urban delivery segment.

High-performance, robust and functional, this truck, which was intended to be as comfortable as a car, was equipped with a revolutionary "Airlam" suspension system combining springs and air cushions. A real upheaval that marked the transformation of the truck industry.

The Stradair was a huge success at launch, and was the subject of an extraordinary promotional campaign, being built until 1970. The air-cushion suspension system was to become the standard for a large proportion of commercial vehicles today.

The first long-distance truck

In 1970, Berliet presented its brand new long-distance truck, the TR 300, equipped with the V8 engine and its over-engine tilting cab, the KB2400. This revolutionary cab was one of the first of its kind to be fitted to heavy vehicles. It provided unprecedented visibility, plenty of storage space and suspended seats.