Mystery 10x10

Tony Smith · #1 26-01-13, 08:03

This pic appeared on another forum without any caption. Has anyone any info on it? By the attire of the Boffin/Test Pilot, it would appear to be late '30s through to '50s. Hubs look like Studebaker, but with lots of chrome, it doesn't appear to be a military project.

Looks easy to drive, he even has the time to smoke a pipe!

aj.lec · #2 26-01-13, 08:24

Looks like a predecessor to an Alvis Stalwart without a shell and with a few extra tyres

Either that or a spin off from the movie Wild Wild West
They had a Tarantula this could be The Centipede

Must say it has heaps of spring travel

Richard Coutts-Smith · #3 26-01-13, 13:02

looks mad enough to be British, noting the right hand drive. looks late 1930's to me
This was posted on FLIKR Juy last year http://www.flickr.com/photos/46066281@N00/7583029186/
but without any info
Rich.

Richard Farrant · #4 26-01-13, 15:22

Not American, and not British. It is in fact Swiss. A Saurer 2M prototype, one of two built in 1936. Not a 10x10 either, the 1st and 3rd axles/wheels are fixed above normal road running level, the rest of the axles are on torsion bar suspension and only 6 wheels actually drive. Those wheels look like the US Dayton design but probably made in Europe.

regards, Richard

Richard Coutts-Smith · #5 27-01-13, 21:22

Thanks for the ID Richard, but still a little confused.
Saurer was a French company?
Prototype made by Saurer for the Swis?
Both Swis. and Fr. would be left hand drive.
Have not found any Saurer photos with that style wheel.
Regretably the only book I have that covers that time period in detail is in hiding, and I have had to rely on the vagaries of internet search engines. Did find a great site, unusuallocomation, so much to learn.
At least I understand the axle layout now..
Rich.

Richard Farrant · #6 27-01-13, 21:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Coutts-Smith

Thanks for the ID Richard, but still a little confused.
Saurer was a French company?
Prototype made by Saurer for the Swis?
Both Swis. and Fr. would be left hand drive.
Have not found any Saurer photos with that style wheel.
Regretably the only book I have that covers that time period in detail is in hiding, and I have had to rely on the vagaries of internet search engines. Did find a great site, unusuallocomation, so much to learn.
At least I understand the axle layout now..
Rich.

Hi Rich,
Saurer was a Swiss company and Swiss trucks were right hand drive so the driver could see the edge of the road on mountain passes! Their Maggie Deutz Uranus tank transporters were RHD. The 1st and 3rd axles only came in to use when transversing undualting terrain, to stop it grounding out. it was a prototype that later led on to another truck, see this link and check the wheels.
http://www.motorstown.com/imgs/63317-saurer-m8-7.html

regards, Richard