French classics 1

Posted by Terje Bjørnstad
French classics
One of the world's most beautiful car designs is, of course, French. Alpine has always picked parts from Renault's parts warehouse long before Alpine was taken over by Renault.

I've been here before - many times. Canet in Roussilon is located on the sea side of the city of Perpignan in the very south of France. It is a small town community. Very quiet in winter and hectic in summer.

 

We are here because of the monthly muster of vehicles. Most of them are French. I see French people here who walk right past Porsches and Ferraris, but who are completely blown away by old, dear, French classics, - for example a special edition Renault 4 or Citroën 2 CV Sahara.

French classics
On the way to the car collection. We have Canet-en-Roussillon in sight. A beautiful place to spend your Sunday excursion.

French classics
Maserati Cabriolet
I am here with my wife. She eagerly stops at a Maserati Cabriolet with white leather seats. -See! There is a monogram embroidered on the headrests!

There are a lot of people here, especially the audience. Much more than at the Cars & Coffee events back home. The Italian Gran Turismo car gets a lot of admiring glances, but around the French classics the conversation is more lively. -Ah, a Belieau! -A Panhard! Oh-la-la, Not bad, that one!

The first Sunday of every month there is a car muster at "Canet'en". For us it takes 50 minutes by car to get here. But it is just nice when the trip goes on roads like the one shown in the picture above. I have taken pictures of French classics that I fell in love with this time.

 

Alpine A110

Alpine built racing and sports cars based on Renaults. The first models were based on well-known Renault models such as the 4CV, Dauphine and R8. In the 70s, Alpine was merged with Renault - and formed Renault Sport. Last year they launched a successor to the legendary A110. Then the Alpine name returned.

French classics
Additional air intake for the stern engine.
French classics
Fiberglass bodywork and low weight mean that the 1300 engine provides track performance.

 

Renault 8

Do you like the Alpine A110? It has been developed on the basis of the Renault 8. The Renault 8 is a good basis for building a properly entertaining and fun sports car.

French classics
You will soon find no Renault 8 left that is not more or less rigged for motorsport. But it's probably not just staffing. The models also feature on the list of participants in local car rallies down here, - both kind and tough competitions.

 

Renault 4 Fourgonnette with windows

It's amazing to see how many Renault 4s are still on the road. I'm sure they'll still be on the road for decades to come – unless the rest of France follows Paris and bans cars over 20 years old from driving.

French classics
As a former Renault 4 owner, I can't walk past a car like that without taking a picture. This is a Renault 4 Fourgonnette Vitrée (with windows) to put it in good French. Check the rims! I estimate the model to be between 1975-80.

 

Renault 11 Turbo

In the 80s, turbo cars were not as common as they are today. If you had a turbo, it usually said "Turbo" in capital letters. The Renault 11 Turbo has a 1,4 liter engine that produces between 105-115 HP.

French classics
I had the pleasure of driving a Renault 11 for a week as a rental car - good memories - in a positive sense 🙂 The Turbo model was far more rare. This otherwise looked like new. Check out the beautiful alloy wheels! Typical of the time and French.
French classics
This is 80s design at its best. Straight lines, boxes and squares.

 

Panhard PL17 Tigers

This is very French and a thought in particular. It is equipped with a rather small motor. The pictured model, "Tigre", is the top model - and has a 2-cylinder boxer engine that produces 50 horses. I read that the Citroën GS inherited its boxer engines from Panhard. Citroën took over Panhard in 1965.

French classics
Stylish front. The air intake is small considering that there is an air-cooled engine inside. But the engine is quite small. 850 ccm, 2-cylinder boxer engine.
French classics
Before the war, Panhard was taken to Norway by Bertel O Steen. I am not sure if the Panhard PL17 was ever sold in Norway.
French classics
Stylish details. Chrome wheel covers, just like the Citröen DS had.
French classics
Tasteful interior created for feelgood and room for no less than 6 people. A nodding dog would be more period-typical, but a teddy "Tigre" will do.
French classics
The Panhard Tigre could reach a top speed of 145 km/h with only 50 HP. Thanks to low weight and low air resistance.

 

Simca Aronde P60

Simca Aronde was more affordable than Panhard. It had bigger and better engines, but less space than the Panhard.

French classics
The Simca Aronde P60 (1958-64) was popular throughout Europe. It was a lot of car for the money.

 

Renault 16

It amazes me that such a popular car as the Renault 16 is so rare to see today. It was a precursor to today's modern family cars. Produced between 1964 and 1980.

French cars
There is a sporty touch over classic Renaults. Many therefore choose to restore their Renaults in a sporty version. This one looks original. The Renault 16 was a typical car for family men who liked to drive, and who preferred a fresh, smooth-driving family car to a sedate competitor. It is said that there were two camps among car buyers in France: The sophisticated, who chose Citroën, - and the practical, who chose Renault.

 

Peugeot 504

Produced between 1968 and 1983. 504 were durable cars. Too bad they are almost gone too.

French cars
Two Peugeots. 309 GTI and a 504 rigged for the Dakar Rally, or something similar.

 

Volkswagen Golf I Convertible

Taking this one, despite it being a German. This Golf 1 Cabriolet was in very good condition. Like new down to the smallest, visible detail.

French cars
Not French, but a fine classic.

 

Porsche 911 (964) Turbo

Finally another German. It could be said that the 964 was the first model to form the transition from classic 911s to the 911 we know today.

French cars
Porsche 964 Turbo in the marina. It fits in well among the yachts here. It is not inconceivable that there is the occasional Porsche owner among the yacht skippers here.

As the title indicates, this is the first edition of "French classics". The next ones will come as I visit this great car collection on Canet at the leisure marina in Roussillon.

 

See

 

French classics 3
French cars
French classics 2
French classics
Treats before lunch.
French classics
Do you remember these French?
French classics
Rather a car collection than a museum.

Terje Bjørnstad. Blog administrator, hobby photographer and car enthusiast.

Post a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn more about how your comment data is processed.