There was Biglorryblog wondering whether I'd have my regular Sunday dose of 'The Boss' when true to form the old curmudgeon comes up trumps with a great story involving an old Berliet. He tells me: "BLB. I never drove a Transconti but did for W.F.Miners drive a Berliet 305 which during I believe 1978/9 Bart and I took weekly to Setubal in Portugal.Great unit which I probably drove like an idiot until Pat Kennet gave a master class in TRUCK magazine about the art of driving the Berliet---basically,let it slog,which that unit did very well."
'The Boss' then goes on to say: "Really comfy,the seats were great which was just as well as Bart and I slept in them for most of the week. The picture on the beach is in Setubal where we had just delivered 10-tonne of live crabs,which we sort of kept 'alivish' in 17-tonnes of water enroute, it was heavy but the Berliet never missed a beat. Really great memories, just wish the Maggie's seats were as comfortable.Oh shit! That's a young me in the middle. The Boss."
Super stuff mate and for a pie who can identify the artic (and that IS a toughie) turning in the background...or the car on the right...? And as a treat for 'The Boss' click through here for another official picture of the 'Le Centaur' high-roof Berliet bruiser....
When I saw Rich Stanier's picture in the previous blog I thought 'Hello...I recognise that wagon...' and sure enough here's a shot of the same TR350 High-roof Berliet 'Le Centaur' reg plate 350TR69 from the official Renault Trucks' 'historic picture gallery...don't know what the bloke is saying to the French bint though....but it's a smart looking artic alright...from, so it says. 1978. Ah memories that was the year I joined Commercial Motor. In fact last month I celebrated 30 years on CM (did I get a gold watch? What do you think?)
BLB
Since the French 'bint'looks like she is needing a 'leak',I expect he is telling her he doesn't have a spare,empty,plastic bottle.
Bon soir,Mon Ami's
Le grand Chef
I think the driver is saying to the lady, "For the last time, Jeremy Clarkson was JOKING...."