Saviem SM 170 cab 860 truck from 1972 - An iconic model car of French transport
This model car of the Saviem SM 170 truck with 860 cab from 1972 in food tanker configuration faithfully reproduces one of the most representative utility vehicles of French road transport of the 1970s. Displaying the colors of the L. GIRAUD company, this 1/43 scale reproduction captures the essence of an era when French trucks still dominated the French roads.
This collector's item is aimed at both vintage car enthusiasts and collectors of utility vehicle model cars, demonstrating French industrial expertise in the field of heavy transport.
Characteristics of the model car
- Model: Saviem SM 170 cabin 860
- Brand: Saviem
- Year: 1972
- Scale: 1/43rd
- Configuration: Food tank
- Decoration: Transport L. GIRAUD
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Protective case included: Yes
The Saviem SM 170: A pillar of French transport
Launched in the early 1970s, the Saviem SM 170 represented the culmination of French expertise in medium-duty industrial vehicles. This rigid truck, developed by the Société Anonyme de Véhicules Industriels et d'Équipements Mécaniques, was part of the 16-tonne range, a strategic positioning to meet the growing needs of road freight transport.
The 860 cab, recognizable by its square and functional design, offered an excellent compromise between habitability and compactness. The diesel engine of this era, robust and economical, allowed the SM 170 to quickly establish itself among professional hauliers. Its remarkable versatility made it the vehicle of choice for many applications, from the transport of general goods to specialized configurations like this food tanker .
The commercial success of the SM 170 was due to its legendary reliability and ease of maintenance, essential qualities for transport companies that prioritized the profitability and availability of their vehicles.
Saviem: French industrial heritage
Founded in 1955, Saviem was born from the merger of Renault's heavy goods vehicle activities and the Société Anonyme de Véhicules Industriels et d'Équipements Mécaniques. This creation was part of the French post-war rationalization strategy of the automotive industry, aimed at creating a national champion capable of competing with European manufacturers.
In the early 1970s, when this SM 170 was produced, Saviem was enjoying its golden age. The brand was establishing itself as a major player in the French commercial vehicle market, benefiting from an extensive distribution network and a solid reputation. The company was then developing a complete range, from light commercial vehicles to heavy goods vehicles, including buses and coaches.
This period also marked the beginnings of what would later become Renault Véhicules Industriels, then Renault Trucks, thus perpetuating the legacy of this emblematic brand of French transport.
The epic of food tanks: When milk traveled across France
In 1970s France, food tankers like this Saviem SM 170 were the lifeblood of the nation's food industry. These specialized vehicles crisscrossed French roads daily, connecting farms to processing centers, particularly in the rapidly modernizing dairy sector.
The L. GIRAUD company, whose colors adorn this model car, represents the many family transport companies that provided local logistics at the time. These transporters, often based in agricultural regions, maintained privileged relationships with local producers and constituted an essential link in the French food chain.
A delightful anecdote from this era tells of how food tanker drivers were nicknamed the "milkmen of the road." They developed a particular expertise in driving these vehicles with their high center of gravity, mastering the delicate art of negotiating bends without causing the liquid being transported to slosh around. Some experienced drivers even claimed to be able to guess the exact nature of the product being transported solely by the movements of their vehicle!
This era also marked the height of relations between transporters and producers, where a handshake was often a contract, and where a driver's reputation was built on punctuality and the care taken with the goods. The Saviem SM 170 perfectly embodied this philosophy of quality transport, combining technical robustness and operational reliability.
Complete your model car collection
This model car of the Saviem SM 170 fits perfectly into a collection dedicated to French industrial vehicles or specialized transport model cars. It naturally finds its place alongside other Saviem vehicles , forming a coherent whole representative of this emblematic brand.
Collectors with a passion for the 1970s will find this an ideal addition to their commercial vehicles from that decade. This piece also complements other model car heavy goods vehicles to recreate the world of French road transport.
The authenticity of this reproduction makes it a reference object for lovers of French vehicles , while its careful finish will appeal to demanding collectors looking for pieces in 1/43rd scale . This model car also constitutes an excellent entry point to discover the fascinating world of vintage commercial vehicles , witnesses to the evolution of our modes of transport and consumption.
