Berliet GLR, truck of the century arrives after the war

Il RVO è was the first truck with a truly modern design Berlie; modernity, which was expressed not only in mechanics, but also, above all, in cheapness car. GLR is, in fact, represented on Paris Salon 1949, was the implementation of the "modular concept" that has already penetrated the world of cars: the use of common components between the various Berliet truck models: GLC, GLR and GLM.

Modularity, but we can also call it standardization, of which GLR was the first example, allowed investment rationalization, the ability to have spare parts suitable for everyone, therefore, good savings for the manufacturer, which translates into savings and profitability for the customer.

Modular truck

There is GLR: was gifted 5-cylinder engine from 7 liters of displacement, capable of one power 120 hp and a speed of 73 km / h. The cab was semi-automatic. Metallica and it was equipped with some of the driver's amenities that were truly avant-garde at the time: the seat also regulated in height, decent living space, a complete and rational dashboard.

Its production began in 1950 with a 13.500 19 kg MTT: his career ended thirty-seven years later, an MTT XNUMX XNUMX kg with a Renault diamond instead of a locomotive, the Berliet symbol, on the hood. Over GLR were built 100 thousand pcs. factory only Venissieux, not counting built or completely collected overseas.

Long production

Over the years, even if the truck has remained substantially identicalall mechanical parts were progressively changed and modernized: the gearbox was modified, equipped with direct injection and the cab will evolve into the M series, then the M2 to the Relaxe cab in 1963.

In 1994, an international jury appointed GLR "Truck of the Century"for its modernity and reliability. The car was used all over the world (in some African countries it still works), both road and construction machine, often heavily overloaded.

In GLR designed and built using i the same design criteriait was followed in '51 by the slightly smaller GLC, and in '53 by the older brother GLM. The latter also had a very long service life and a very broad spectrum of action.