Anyone who collects Renault tractors and would like to display them at events will also have to arrange suitable transportation. Kevin Servoingt, portrayed in this issue with his Renault D16, has found a great solution. It helps that he has a truck driving licence.
Unfortunately, he knows absolutely nothing about the history of his 1977 SAVIEM SM8. He only reads the mileage on the odometer, 270,000 km and that is definitely not much for a truck. Originally painted in the familiar SAVIEM blue, the SM8 was later repainted in metallic blue. The chassis still bears the red colour with which many SAVIEMs left the factory at the time. Of course, signs of use can be found here and there, but that is quite normal considering its age. Kevin found his truck already fitted with this body, so it was ready for immediate use.
The SM8 features the 812 cab. This is very similar to the smaller cab used on the SG2 and SG4, among others. But this is not a van, but a real truck, which means that everything is dimensioned a bit larger. It also rolls on substantially larger wheels and has wider extended mudguards.
This type of SAVIEM entered the market in the mid-1960s as the S8, still fitted with a Perkins engine. The facelift coincided with the arrival of a new power source. However, the MAN diesel was built at SAVIEM in Limoges. It is a six-cylinder mated to a five-speed manual transmission. After so many years, the engine still seems to perform just as well. Kevin shifts up to a higher gear smoothly. The experience is as you would expect from an old truck. All sounds are pure and traceable to functions performed while driving.
Kevin has several dreams. He wants to completely restore this SM8 and paint it in Renault Motoculture colours, so that the SAVIEM and his tractors go hand-in-hand. At night, however, he dreams of an SM8 in tractor version with a trailer behind it completely filled with tractors restored to new condition. Sweet dreams Kevin!
En détail...
SAVIEM SM8
Engine:
Type 797, 6-cylinder diesel, 8 valves, bore x stroke 102 x 112 mm, displacement 5,491 cc. Power 133 (DIN) hp at 2,900 rpm, torque 363 Nm at 1,800 rpm. Electric system 12 volts/192 Ah. Maximum speed 93 km/h.
Gearbox:
Type ET 301-12 5-speed manual transmission with 4 synchronised forward and 1 reverse gears, gear ratios 1st - 7.41, 2nd - 4.19, 3rd - 2.39, 4th - 1.48, 5th - 1.00, reverse - 7.20.
Suspension: front and rear leaf springs and hydraulic shock absorbers. Tyres 10x22.5 without inner tube. Brakes: pneumatically operated, area 1320 cm2 (front) and 1,650 cm2 (rear).
Dimensions/weights:
Length 7.962 metres, width 2.190 metres (without mirrors), height 2.390 metres, wheelbase 4.500 metres. Turning circle 18.00 metres (between pavements).
Weight chassis-cab: 3,695 kg, load weight including body 8,605 kg, G.V.W. 12,300 kg. Tank capacity 100 litres.