The 1965 UNIC MZ36 Saverne Truck "CROIX DE LORRAINE": A Symbol of French Transport
This 1965 UNIC MZ36 Saverne truck miniature proudly wears the colours of the "Croix de Lorraine", a historic French emblem. This scale model captures the spirit of an era when French manufacturers dominated the European heavy-goods market.
A exceptional collector's piece, this faithful reproduction of the UNIC MZ36 Saverne is made for motoring history enthusiasts and collectors of French commercial vehicles from the 1960s.
Model Details
- Model: UNIC MZ36 Saverne
- Brand: UNIC
- Year: 1965
- Scale: 1:43
- Decoration: "CROIX DE LORRAINE"
- Protective case included: Yes
The UNIC MZ36 Saverne: A Giant of French Transport
The UNIC MZ36 Saverne was launched in the mid-1960s, during a period of rapid modernisation of France's commercial vehicle fleet. This rigid truck embodied the UNIC philosophy: robustness, reliability and suitability for national road conditions, which still consisted largely of winding departmental roads.
Powered by a diesel engine with respectable output for its time, the MZ36 stood out for its Saverne cab, known for its relative comfort and excellent visibility. Its generous payload and rugged design made it a valued workhorse for regional hauliers and construction firms.
This model was a commercial success, helping drive the economic boom of the Trente Glorieuses by moving goods across the whole of France, from major cities to the most remote villages.
UNIC: The Legacy of a Visionary Manufacturer
Founded in 1905 by Georges Richard, the UNIC brand (Union des Industries de Châssis) quickly established itself as a leader in French heavy transport. In the 1960s, UNIC had become a subsidiary of Simca, itself controlled by Chrysler, while retaining its distinctly French engineering identity.
The era of the MZ36 Saverne was UNIC's golden age, a period in which the French manufacturer competed with European marques in the road haulage and public works markets. The UNIC philosophy favoured practical, proven solutions tailored to the specific demands of the French market.
This approach allowed UNIC to remain strong into the 1970s, before industry consolidation and the arrival of foreign manufacturers profoundly reshaped the European heavy transport landscape.
The Croix de Lorraine: Between History and Identity
The "Croix de Lorraine" livery on this UNIC MZ36 truck recalls one of the most powerful symbols of modern French history. Adopted by General de Gaulle as the emblem of Free France during the Second World War, the Cross of Lorraine quickly moved beyond its medieval religious origins to become a symbol of resistance and national independence.
In the 1960s, a period of reconstruction and modernisation in France, many French companies proudly displayed this symbol on their commercial vehicles. The practice reflected a confident economic patriotism and a desire to showcase national expertise amid growing European competition.
Hauliers who decorated their UNIC trucks with the Croix de Lorraine thus expressed their attachment to French values while asserting their part in the country's rebuilding effort. This gesture, seemingly minor, in fact revealed an era when national identity was closely intertwined with economic life.
Today, trucks bearing the Croix de Lorraine have become valuable witnesses to a France in transition, balancing tradition and modernity, national pride and European openness.
Complete Your Collection of French Miniatures
This UNIC MZ36 Saverne truck model is a natural fit for any collection dedicated to French automotive heritage. It pairs well with other period models, notably the Simca vehicles of the same era or the contemporary Renault commercial vehicles.
Collectors specialising in heavy trucks will find it an ideal complement to other French manufacturers such as Berliet or Willème. This piece also fits perfectly into a themed collection devoted to 1960s vehicles.
Whether you are a motoring history enthusiast or an experienced collector, you will appreciate the quality of this miniature, which faithfully captures the spirit of a bygone era when French marques were a force on European roads.
