In Satory, Univem enthusiasts maintain mechanical heritage

On the Satory plateau, near Versailles, members of the Univem Paris Île-de-France maintained military vehicles in a large hangar of the base. Jean-Charles Brisson, former president of the club and electromechanical, explained that most of the machines belonged to the association. The army had gradually given them to him during the renewal of his equipment. Installed there for ten years, the club's mission was to preserve this heritage.

Its members claimed their passion for ancient mechanics rather than a taste for uniforms or a warlike nostalgia. The restoration began with the complete disassembly of the vehicle, its inspection and then its rehabilitation. Mechanics, electricity, welding and bodywork often mobilized teams working in pairs.

The American vehicles were the most numerous, from the Jeep to the 19-ton Pacific convenience store. Jean-Charles Brisson recalled that equipment left by the Allies had been used by the 1st Army and the 2nd DB until the 1960s–1970s. The collection also included French equipment, including Renault and Laffly V15T VBLs according to the designations of the article, a mobile kitchen, as well as British and Canadian vehicles. An amphibious GMC made it possible to inflate or deflate the tires from the driver's seat. Prototypes from military tenders and two aerotrains belonging to another association were also housed on site.

The machines went out for Heritage Days, festivals, parades, regimental open doors and fairs. For the 70th anniversary of the Landing, Christophe, member of Univem and organizer, was preparing a rally in Vierville-sur-Mer from June 2 to 8, 2014. On four hectares were to meet French, Belgian, Dutch, German and British collectors and teams for reconstructions of maneuvers. More than a hundred vehicles were already registered and a convoy to Sainte-Mère-Église was planned.

The club favored a sponsorship: the one who restored a machine became his privileged driver. To pay the rent, buy parts and keep the association alive, the hangar also welcomed owners of vintage cars who came to work on their vehicles. The report evoked Hotchkiss, buses from the 1960s and the cars of a collector solicited by the cinema. Bernard, a member met on site, insisted on mutual aid and a shared passion beyond differences in age or social background.

The box indicated 170 members and an annual fee of €60, with availability for work or events. He gave the coordinates 01 39 53 19 40 and www.univem-paris.com, and referred to www.dday2014.fr for the Vierville rally.

The report also announced Rétromobile, from February 5 to 9 at Paris Expo, Porte de Versailles: 400 exhibitors, a hundred clubs and more than 500 cars, including the centenary of the 1914-1918 war and maharajas cars. The hat presented it as the 30th edition and the box referred to www.retromobile.com. The article is signed by Laure Bazantay, in Satory.

Reconstructed or uncertain passages:
- The vehicle designations and the Retromobile edition number are those printed in the denomination, without any supposed correction. Programs, membership fees, contacts and addresses are 2014 information.

Archive image: https://vierville.cordelle.eu/PhDoc12/UNIVEM-LaCroix1erFevrier2014L.jpg