Willème

File:Etabl. Willème 1926.jpg

Willème was founded in 1923{{cite web|url=http://gazoline.net/article2.php?id_article=1398|accessdate=2011-01-03|title=Gazoline: Camions Willème, le roi des poids lourds}} as Ets. Willème S.A. in Nanterre, France by Louis Willème, after working for Automobiles Grégoire.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.zeteo.com/mar/news-aug10.ihtml | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110928030805/http://www.zeteo.com/mar/news-aug10.ihtml | archive-date = 2011-09-28 | magazine = Model Auto Review News | date = 7 August 2010 | number = 244 | title = Books | page = 24 | editor-first = Rod | editor-last = Ward }} The company built its first tractor truck in 1930; this had a {{convert|20|t|lb|adj=on}} GCWR.{{cite journal | journal = Le poids lourd: Spécial Salon | ref = PL64 | first = Pierre | last = Lenoir | title = Évolution et situation des véhicules industriels en France | trans-title = Development and conditions of industrial vehicles in France | language = fr | page = 99 | date = October 1964 | volume = 49 | number = 592 }}

In May 1962 A.E.C and Willème signed an agreement in which A.E.C (Associated Equipment Company) will provide engine and components to Willème for its special purpose and heavy-duty truck range the first order was started off with 500 units of A.E.C diesel engines. This agreement also authorized Willème to assemble and distribute A.E.C. medium duty trucks.{{Cite web |title=Strong Objections to Portable Tanker Bid {{!}} 11th May 1962 {{!}} The Commercial Motor Archive |url=https://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/11th-may-1962/25/strong-objections-to-portable-tanker-bid |access-date=2023-06-08 |website=archive.commercialmotor.com}} By the end of 1962 Willème was assembling B.M.C (British Motor Corporation) trucks ranging from 1.5 to 7 tons capacity and also assembling A.E.C cargo and passenger vehicles in France alongside their own heavy-duty trucks.{{Cite magazine |title=International Flavour at Paris Salon | date = 12 October 1962 | magazine = Commercial Motor | url=https://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/12th-october-1962/58/international-fli-r-at-paris-salon | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20240727001427/https://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/12th-october-1962/58/international-fli-r-at-paris-salon | archive-date = 2024-07-27 | page = 61 | first = John P. | last = Moon | number = 2982 | volume = 116 }}

In 1970 Willème started to have difficulties with A.E.C and stopped manufacturing their trucks and attempted a switch to Volvo for sourcing the engines and components. At the 1970 Paris commercial vehicle show Willème showcased their first 6×4 tipper chassis, powered by Volvo's {{cvt|270|hp-metric|kW|0}} engine supported by a Fuller 13-speed gearbox.{{Cite magazine |title=Berliet strikes a high note | date = 9 October 1970 | magazine = Commercial Motor |url=https://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/9th-october-1970/54/mins-tp | page = 52 | first = Tony | last = Wilding | volume = 132 | number = 3390 }} Willème went bankrupt in 1970 and PRP (Perez et Raimond Paris) took over the company.{{cite web|url=http://oldfrenchtrucks.ifrance.com/indexmarquesfr/willeme/willeme.html |title=Willème |accessdate=2011-01-03 |url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070715114936/http://oldfrenchtrucks.ifrance.com/indexmarquesfr/willeme/willeme.html |archivedate=July 15, 2007 }} PRP continued to manufacture heavy-duty trucks like the TG 100, 200, 250, and 300, offering them with Cummins, GM, Caterpillar and Mercedes-Benz engines capable of high payloads.{{Cite web |title=Special French units {{!}} 21 September 1979 {{!}} The Commercial Motor Archive |url=https://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/21st-september-1979/29/special-french-units |access-date=2023-06-08 |website=archive.commercialmotor.com}}

TG300 was the most powerful truck offered by the company, a ballast tractor promoted as being capable of towing 1000 tonnes with a suitable hydraulic modular trailer. Trobosa, a Spain-based trailer manufacture also developed some TG300 models as it was a leading manufacturer of tank transporter and hydraulic modular trailers. In 1979, Belgium's MOL acquired the design rights of the TG range from PRP and continued to manufacture heavy-duty ballast tractors mostly in 8x8 configurations with Cummins engines, with towing capacity of 300 to 500 tons for oversize load transport applications.{{Cite web |last=Graham |first=Chris |date=2021-08-23 |title=Great eight-leggers! |url=https://heritagemachines.com/commercials/great-eight-leggers/ |access-date=2023-06-08 |website=Heritage Machines}} In 1980 Creusot-Loire used the TG range of trucks as the basis in developing their T40A military tank transporter, an 8x6 configuration powered by a Detroit Diesel engine supported by a 13-speed Allison transmission.{{Cite web |title=Frenchmem take on heavy duties | date = 12 January 1980 | magazine = Commercial Motor |url=https://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/12th-january-1980/24/frenchmem-take-on-heavy-duti }}

File:AMX32.jpg, France.]]

In the post-war years, Willème specialized in large lorries and tractors, and special duty trucks such as heavy haulage ballast tractors.Lenoir 1964, p. 101.

The DW12A was used as a tank transporter by the French army.{{cite web|url=http://www.axishistory.com/index.php?id=6001|accessdate=2011-01-03|title=Axis History Factbook: Composition of a B1bis battalion (France)}}

10- and 15-ton trucks, with Deutz engines, sold between 1945 and 1953.

Sold 1953–1963.

Available with both AEC and Willème engines.

• The AEC-engined 5741-CG was sold as an 8-wheel heavy wrecker.{{cite web|url=http://www.commercialmotor.com/big-lorry-blog/forget-the-willeme-wreckerits|accessdate=2012-08-29|title=Forget the Willeme wrecker... It's that mystery jet that Biglorryblog wants identified! - Biglorryblog}}
• Some models, such as the W8SA, were also built as oilfield trucks.{{cite web|url=http://www.commercialmotor.com/big-lorry-blog/bonneted-beauties-at-the-old-b

|accessdate=2012-08-29|title=Bonneted beauties at the old Brussels and Paris truck shows...Biglorryblog has a black & white nostalgia moment! - Biglorryblog}}

• RD 6x4{{cite web|url=http://www.commercialmotor.com/big-lorry-blog/more-on-the-wonderful-willeme

|accessdate=2012-08-29|title=More on the wonderful Willeme from 'The Brochure King' - Where else but on Biglorryblog?! - Biglorryblog}}

• W200, 8x4, 245 tonne gross weight.{{cite web|url=http://www.commercialmotor.com/big-lorry-blog/more-willemes-and-sisus-on-big

|accessdate=2012-08-29|title=More Willemes and Sisus on Biglorryblog - you can't beat a good heavy hitter. - Biglorryblog}}

• The TG200 was an 8x4 heavy-hauler, capable of handling 200 ton loads.{{cite web|url=http://www.commercialmotor.com/big-lorry-blog/wonderful-willeme-shot-by-mike|accessdate=2012-08-29|title=Wonderful Willeme shot by Mike B...and that's what I call a restoration says Biglorryblog! - Biglorryblog}}
• TG250: 250 tonnes gross weight{{cite web|url=http://www.commercialmotor.com/big-lorry-blog/more-wonderful-willemes-on-big|accessdate=2011-08-29|title=More wonderful Willemes on Biglorryblog...the pictures just keep coming in. - Biglorryblog}}
• The TG300 was 8x8 capable of hauling up to 1000 tonnes, powered by a Detroit Diesel V16.{{cite web|url=http://www.commercialmotor.com/big-lorry-blog/hard-working-willeme-still-hau|accessdate=2011-08-29|title=Hard-working Willeme still hauling in China....who knows more about this heavy hitter asks Biglorryblog? - Biglorryblog}} Some were built by Trabosa.{{cite web|url=http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1033649317031677988GTZuwE|accessdate=2011-01-03|title=Trabosa TBA1 8x8 pictures from cars photos on webshots}}

{{commons category|Willeme vehicles}}

• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DCaDGH_2mA Video] of a restored Willeme TG200 ballast tractor

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Category:Truck manufacturers of France

Category:Defunct motor vehicle manufacturers of France

Category:Heavy haulage

Category:French companies established in 1923