Under pressure from the Germans, Stalin asked Churchill to open a second front in the west. The Allies chose Dieppe for the proximity with England. But a lack of preparation and contingencies have made this raid a bloody failure. No bombing of enemy positions to avoid damage to the harbor, unexpected encounter with a convoy…
On a regular basis, our vehicles, our members or our activities appears in the press or on online reports. Here are some examples.
We are lucky to count in our members an original and very clever model maker : Lulu. He can make models of an astonishing fidelity as well as models with a strong touch of humor. In that case, he reveals an undeniable talent as a sculptor. Having made many models for many members of our association,…
Sometimes the association is welcomed by some VIP, sometimes some VIP visit us in our premises. Hugues Auffray, a well known and very popular singer in France, has been a member of our association for great many years : Hugues is found of these American vehicles. He comes regularly to visit us and did not…
With the Corona crisis the world is currently living, we decided very late to organize an open day for the 2020 European Heritage Days. So for this year, no rides in vehicles or food stall, very few advertising and also, as a consequence, fewer public! Outside, several big vehicles were exhibited. Inside, we focused on…
Every year, the city of Versailles holds an event gathering every association of the city that present what they do to the public. UNIVEM was there, with a lot of heavy vehicles: 3 Half-Tracks, Ford M8, Diamond T M20, Ward-La-France M1A1, International M425 and its semi trailer, GMC CCKW Workshop, a Dodge Command-Car and some Jeeps.…
UNIVEM already had a Diamond T 981, but at one point, the engine was unusable because of a crack. But luckily, another Diamond T 981 was found and bought in May 2018. This truck had already been restored many years ago. The truck participated as is for the event “La Locomotion en fête” in June…
Again, UNIVEM was invited by the “Vincennes en Anciennes” association (an association of classic cars) to attend the arrival of their famous event, the “Traversée de Paris”: hundreds of classic cars driving through Paris on Sunday morning. The finish line being in the castle of Meudon, which is on the edge of a wooded plateau, that…
At the end of August, UNIVEM went to Le Bourget for the 76th anniversary of the liberation of the city. Two Half-Track, two GMC, three Dodge, and half a dozen Jeep came with us. After a ceremony a small parade went through the city streets. After a speech of the Mayor, and the cocktail party,…
The vehicule was pretty much worn out with problems in the gear box. It needed an overhaul. A complete renovation/restoration has been undertaken after an event in Bastogne in December 2009: engine, transmission, wheel hubs, braking system with its Hydrovac assistance, electricity… Almost everything has been taken apart, checked, renovated or replaced. October 15, 2016: First…
On the 25th August 2020, the city of Versailles commemorated the 76 Anniversary of its liberation. UNIVEM brought four vehicles : the freshly restored M8 Armored car, and also the M5 Half-Track, a Dodge Command Car and a Jeep.
History The first prototype was designed on the basis of GMC AFKWX (Cab Over Engine). It is is a threesome that presided over its development: Rod Stephens Jr. of the firm Sparkman & Stephens Inc. who was designer of yachts, Dennis Puleston, an English navigator who resided in the US and Frank W. Speir, a…
75 years ago on the 8th May 1945, following the German surrender, Victory in Europe was declared, and war was over. 75 years later, because of the unseen before Covid-situation, commemorations can’t be held as usually. Thus, virtual tributes are paid all across the internet. We would also like to pay homage to all this…
UNIVEM was there for the 45th Retromobile, in Paris, one of the biggest vintage vehicle show in the world. This year again, the stand was shared with the Saumur Tank Museum. The theme was about the 1940 Battle of France. We brought the Laffly / V15T while they brought a newly restored Somua S35 and…
For the 75th Anniversary of the battle of the Bulge, Indian Head Association held its traditional winter event from 13th to 15th December 2019: “On the tracks of General Patton”. The basecamp was at Clairefontaine Sacré-Coeur Center in Arlon, next to the Luxembourg border. UNIVEM went with 25 members, the Half-Track M5 and the GMC…
