26-0759 Charge Utile HS 85 - les transports Cordier 1932-2015

Brand: Charge Utile
Series: Hors-série N°85 - les transports Cordier 1932-2015

(pages: 84)

Transports Cordier, based in Ambérieu-en-Bugey in the Ain region of France, occupies a special place in the history of the transport industry. Without having reached the national dimension of Calberson, the prestige of Omar, the expertise of Scales or the fortune of Norbert Dentressangle, Gabriel Cordier initiated two decades of creative audacity. Between 1946 and 1966, the mere mention of Cordier's name inspired respect and admiration, the sacrifices he made and the stubbornness he was able to unleash, the successes he achieved with the U.S. Army, International-Harvester, Marmon-Herrington, Kenworth, Mack, Diamond, Federal, Autocar, Dodge, GMC, and more.

Some of the trucks designed by Cordier still retain their mysteries, so surprising were the modifications made with the help of the brilliant coachbuilder Louis Cottard. A loyal customer of Latil, Saviem, Renault and then Berliet, Cordier was above all Paul Berliet's preferred transporter. The locomotive manufacturer brought Cordier in-house prototype developments that would make rival manufacturers pale in comparison. History records that Cordier was often the first to be awarded new models from the entire Berliet range.

Last but not least, these trucks were often featured on the "cover" of sales literature, demonstrating the close relationship between the carrier and the manufacturer, and the emblematic nature of these vehicles in the history of French road transport.