In 1950, Panhard granted René Legueu the rights to produce its special all-wheel drive trucks. On the strength of his experience, Legueu started to produce his own all-terrain, medium-tonnage vehicles by assembling elements from different manufacturers
René Legueu (right) and his son Paul in front of a TPOQ 6 fitted with drilling equipment
They were dubbed the "Legueu cocktails". For example, the TH4 (Trucks, Hotchkiss 4×4) was launched in 1954 equipped with a Ford axle, a Citroën cab and a Hotchkiss Lago engine developing 170 hp. ALM produced small series adapted to the needs of its customers (oil prospecting in the desert, fire-fighting, public works etc.).
In 1959, ALM began to construct certain components: transfer boxes, chassis, axles, cabs, and designed its own vehicle, the TPK4 which was a precursor to the VCOM and VLRA. ALM made a name for itself in the market by observing a fundamental principle pronounced by its founder: "Any improvement must always be able to be retrofitted to a truck of the marque, whatever its age".
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION…
Magazine : Charge utile magazine, n°67, 2012.
Book : Jean-Gabriel Jeudy, Trucks of France, the first age, Massin éditeur, 1993.
Source photo : internal