From: JaxInCalifornia@aol.com
Date: Fri Feb 01 2002 - 09:37:05 PST
Having owned one, I can tell you they are a pleasure to drive, even without power steering. A soft ride compared to most large troop carriers. The French made it a comfortable cab too, like someone just reported, a tilt out windscreen, roll up windows, heater, spring seats, handy rifle placement... quite nice all in all.
The suspension is coil spring too and set very high. When pulling yourself into the cab the whole truck will tilt a good deal, which is a little disconcerting. The reduction gear suspension, while excellent for clearance was never designed to run at 60 mph, while no doubt the engine (a flat head ford type of the 1953 vintage) would do it, the reduciton gear design is unstable at high speed without a massive steering dampner. Many troops have experience that high speed wobble and it can be quite dangerous. 50-53 mph is typical max speed due to wobble.
When it comes to economy and power, that old flathead engine with a modern carb does remarkably well. Would be even better if it had a modern electronic ignition, but if you are into dual points, this is a good enough system.
Tires are NATO treads, forget the size, but they were fat compared to ND's, good traction, although prone to some side slippage in steep going. An odd feature is the air intake is located inside the cab, presumably for drawing less dust.
The brakes are very good, air over hydraulic and they spit air about 20 seconds. Which is loud and unnerving. I am always listening to sounds of possible trouble while driving and spitting overpressured air out always bothered me.
The worst part might be the transmission. It works great, backwards pattern, but I don't know what you would do if you had to replace one from the US. Shipping would be horrendous.
Price wise, the French government dumped hundreds, if not thousands of these trucks about two years ago for an average of about $800-$1000. Those same trucks were selling in the UK for about $2500-2800. Now in the US folks are asking about $6000 plus. Not sure they are worth it, unless you just have to have it. Especially considering recent prices in Europe. They are a nice truck, very solid and in my humble opinion "butt ugly."
My 2 centeims worth.
Jack
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