French cars

I live part of the year in a part of France where many older French cars are still on the road. There is great interest in French cars. I take pictures and post them. PS. Not all the cars are French - but there are at least cars that the French like.

Photo Sunday - Freewheel

Posted 29/05/2023 by Terje Bjørnstad

During the Whitsun weekend, the city of Perpignan organized a vehicle fair with a wide range of themes. The images in this week's Photo Sunday are from "Roue Libre" which loosely translates to "free wheel" or "free h.

Rather M-Town than electric car

I had expected that the electric cars would be more in focus. One of the purposes of the event was that the car dealers could show off their electric cars and that the public could test drive them. BMW's stand rather focused on cars that belong in "M Town", where the following slogan applies: “M Town Where Too Much Is Just Right”. It plays on the fact that one should not be ashamed of driving in a fit car. BMW's electric cars were also there, but in Perpignan ordinary people don't dream of electric cars.

Renault Alpine

Speaking of dreams, I think a lot of people dream of driving an Alpine A110 on a deserted country road. Alpine is French and owned by the Renault group. Their first new car model was a tribute to the legendary A110. Alpine is working on several projects, and last week showed off its first electric car concept at a car meet in Alpine's hometown of Dieppe. The car is a rally version of the Renault R5 concept car. It's probably too early to send it on tour.

Limited selection on Sunday mornings

On Sunday morning, not all the participants and companies had arrived. I was particularly interested in Retrofit where electric car drives are installed in classic cars, such as the Citroen 2CV. Retrofit was not there, nor were there any major innovations among electric cars. Peugeot showed off its new e-2008 with a range of over 400 km. Fortunately, the designers have now cleaned up the front part of the model. The Peugeot e-2008 is one of the most interesting models in terms of price, space and range for most people - both in Norway and France.

The local car club

The local car club Automobile Club Roussillon were present with beautiful classic cars which they drove in a separate lane around the park separated from the street system. The concept of "Roue libre" - or free wheel - largely applied to the beautiful cars that drove around at regular intervals and created a good atmosphere.

Peugeot has cleaned up the front of the e-2008.

The Citroen DS with a short wheelbase and 2 doors was used for Rally - and was also called Rally, I think.

Citroen DS 2 doors "rally"

The DS was made with a shortened wheelbase and 2 doors for rallying. I think the model in the picture was called Rally, but can't remember that it ever featured in Citroen's regular model range. The car looks really tough with its shortened rear and free wheel arches.

An unusual end to a legendary car. It's the first time I've seen one like that in real life.

Import from Brazil

Lately I've been seeing classic Volkswagen models produced in Brazil. I have also seen a unique Alpine A108 produced as Willys Interlagos in Brazil, as well as several Puma models based on Volkswagen. You'd think someone had sent local car enthusiasts on a group trip to Brazil? Now I know where the great cars come from. At the Roue Libre fair there was a local company that specializes in importing cars from Brazil, like the yellow car in the picture – a Puma GT 1600.

See

Automobile Club Roussillon
Wheelbox 66 - import from Brazil

French classics 9

Posted 09/05/2023 by Terje Bjørnstad

It could have disappeared - the monthly car meet in Perpignan that has been running on the first Sunday of every month for 24 years. This spring, however, the organizers had had enough. They had grown tired of the ever-increasing number of BMWs and Mercedes-Benzes without classic status - with owners more interested in 'kids' and 'robbers' than cultivating a passion for old cars.

When the organizers tried to stop the influx of these cars, conflicts arose. Car meetings in Perpignan are run as a personal initiative. The organizer is free to limit access to the meetings.

But the matter has several sides. A broad event like this is of interest to many. Is it discriminatory to exclude certain vehicle groups? What criteria should be used as a basis for excluding "popular" street cars? Car model, year model, tuned engines and fat tires – or the drivers' appearance? This is a problem for other car meets as well. Earlier this year I was on my way to a car meet in England ONLY reserved for supercars. There, the organizers had made it clear in advance that people with Audis, BMWs and Mercedes were not welcome on the grounds that these vehicles are not special enough.

In Perpignan, the organizers have come up with a good solution with registration in the form of an annual pass and rules for how to behave. There are also requirements for the vehicles – age or that the vehicle is special and exceptional, etc.

I am happy that the organizers chose to continue and that many participants have appreciated the scheme. Last Sunday, not only vehicles that were old, but also rare, exclusive and special arrived to the delight of many.

PHOTOS

Ex Renault 4, Citroen Ami phase 2, MG 1300

Citroen BX GTI

This edition of the Citroen BX has a 16-valve engine of 1,9 liters producing 160 HP. It can do 0-100 in 7,9 seconds. The Citroen BX is a rare feature at car fairs. Where has everyone gone? This was a very popular model in the 80s. There were two Citroen BXs that had found their way to Perpignan this Sunday.

Citroen GSA X1

The Citroen GSA was the successor to the GS. A major improvement with the GSA was that it was styled as a hatchback coupé. The GSA X1 has been given sporty equipment, including round instruments and rear spoiler. The engine was 1300 ccm with 65 HP. The model was produced between 1983 and 1985.

Puma 1600 GT

Puma GT

Brazilian car factory that built light sports cars with mechanics from other Brazilian car brands. The Puma GT and GTE were built on chassis from Karmann Ghia (Volkswagen) and with engines from Volkswagen. This car is from around 1980 and has an air-cooled Volkswagen engine of 1600 ccm and 70 HP. The bodywork is made of fiberglass and the entire body weighs less than 700 kg. Rare car from Brazil to Perpignan.

Volvo Amazon Manor wagon on French plates

Renault Estafette (front), Citroen DS Pallas (rear)

Porsche 356A, Sud Classic Cars, St.Esteve

Renault brought 60s nostalgia into a youthful version of the R4

Renault 4 Sixties

The Sixties was a campaign model of the Renault 4 GTL produced in 1985 in a limited edition. What made the variant special were special colors - both outside and inside. It also got two plexiglass sunroofs. The cars were equipped with the 1,1 liter engine and 4-speed gearbox which was operated via "umbrella gear". According to advertising at the time, Renault was targeting a young audience – perhaps in an attempt to make the Renault 4 cool again. The Renault 4 was easy to drive and offered plenty of space for a reasonable purchase price.

Ford Capri GT 1700 XLR

The Ford Capri was produced both in England and in Germany. They used the engines they had. The car in the picture has a 1700 V4 engine manufactured in Germany. English Ford also had the V4 from the Corsair series which was also used in the Capri.

Peugeot 202 – family car and holiday car from the 40s

Indian motorcycle has started on the way home

Carre d'Or

The car meet is held at one of the many shopping centers around Perpignan. Carre d'Or is located along the flyover between Perpignan city and the coastal town of Canet-en-Roussillon. Over the years, the event has been held in several places around the city.

After having lunch at one of the eateries there, we found these beautiful Volkswagen buses left after the meeting.

See

RVA66 – the organizer's website

Citroen C4 in French

Posted 25/04/2023 by Terje Bjørnstad

We have driven a new Citroen C4 with a petrol engine. A typical Citroen – easy to drive, beautiful and comfortable.

Crossover coupe

The new C4 falls into the "crossover coupé" category. I don't recall Citroen making anything like this before. We have to go all the way back to models like the GSA and BX to find coupé-like combi-coupes, although they weren't tall like the new C4. Tall cars are not only in vogue at the moment – they are also well prepared for electric drivetrains, such as the ë-C4. For most French people, it is C4 on fossil fuel that applies, partly because of price and partly because of poorly developed infrastructure for charging.

I am back in the part of France that lies on the Mediterranean towards Spain. Here it is complicated to use cars like the ë-C4 if you do not have the opportunity to charge at home. Across the border with Spain, the Repsol and Cepsa petrol stations are building charging facilities on a large scale. It looks promising. But for now we are driving the C4 with the 1,2 liter PureTech engine. Citroen's new combi-coupe is very popular down here. I actually feel somewhat privileged.

More French than before

When I drove the previous generation off Citroen C4, I expressed how similar the C4 was to other cars in the Golf class – comfortable without being too soft in the suspension. When I later drove C4 Cactus, I took note of the long suspension travel, and that the car floated over the road like a flying carpet at the same time as it lay steady in the bends without tipping over. The C4 Cactus was equipped with Citroens Progressive Hydraulic Cushions - which the new C4 also has. The concept calms down the damping towards the extremes to avoid shocks and jerks. The new C4 has the feeling of a flying carpet as soon as you drive off, but unlike the C4 Cactus, the car leans over significantly in the bends, like previous French cars. It's about taste and comfort - about comfort versus driving pleasure. I don't shout "oh là là" at the way the car rolls. It makes me take it extra easy in the turns, although many French people probably think this is charming. What is not at all charming is the absence of steering feel. External forces on the car, such as side winds, - or changes that can affect the road surface - are not conveyed through the steering. This is the car's biggest weakness.

The trunk of the Citroen C4 has a flat compartment under the cover.

The drive train

We have driven the same drivetrain in other cars from Stellantis, including the new Citroen C3 aircross with automatic transmission. Our car has a 6-speed manual gearbox. The PureTech engine provides good bottom traction, so you don't have to shift gears often - but the 130 horse doesn't feel very responsive from the start. If you want to exit a junction quickly, you must therefore make sure that the engine has enough revs.

A special characteristic of this drivetrain is that when driving at motorway speed, a screeching sound occurs which probably originates from the gearbox, similar to the sound you get when reversing quickly. We have experienced the same in other cars with similar drivetrains – most recently in the Opel Mokka PureTech. The sound is easily audible, without being annoying. You could almost say that it is charming and nostalgic. I first experienced sounds from the gears in the gearbox in the 1970s in a Renault 4 as an accompaniment to the buzzing engine sound.

Place

Not only does the crossover design make the model suitable as an electric car - it also provides plenty of space and a good sense of space in the compartment. The luggage compartment holds 380 liters under the hat shelf. It is actually the same volume as the ë-C4 has. It is easy to load luggage, but the sloping rear door steals space in height. We still have room for our dachshund's dog cage without folding down the seats, but suitcases must be transported lying down. It's the same space ratio in other crossover cars with coupé shape we've driven. "Good looks" have their price.

Citroen C4. High and rather massive front.

Life with C4

We drive the Citroen C4 as a rental car for a few weeks in France. I have just driven our daughter and her fiance to the airport in Perpignan. There are direct flights between Perpignan and Stansted, London. On the way home, the car's navigation system shows that there has been a queue in the morning rush hour due to an accident. The Citroen C4 is a good everyday car. I sit well, little noise and a good radio, there are many places to put things down, the reversing camera shows the location from all angles and from above when I have to pry the car into parking pockets that are built for 2CVs.

About the trip and the photos

On Sunday morning we drove to a place where we could walk along the vineyards to the village of Maureillas-las-Illas. This Sunday there was sardan dancing and spontaneous horn music in the town square. The walk took 1 hour each way. You can of course drive all the way if you want, but many French people choose to use their Sundays to cycle or go for walks to enjoy their Sunday lunch at a restaurant or picnic under shady trees.

Facts about the Citroen C4 PureTech 130

Weights and Measures
External dimensions - L, W, H: 436 x 180 x 153 cm
Wheelbase: 267 cm
Net weight: 1287 kg (without driver)
Payload: 393 kg
Number of seats: 5
Luggage compartment: 380 litres
Trailer with brakes: 1200 kg
without brakes: 670 kg
Roof load: 80 kg

Drivetrain
Engine: 1,2 PureTech 130
Power: 130 HP
Torque: 230 Nm @ 1750 rpm
Gearbox: 6-speed manual BVM6
Front wheel drive

Performances
Top speed: 200 km/h
0-100: 8,9 seconds

consumption
Stated consumption WLTP combined: 0,53/10 km
Measured consumption: 0,61 (total since new)
Measured on single trips: 0,57 – 0,65/10 km

Tires
Dimension: 195/60 R18
Type: Summer tire
Brand: Michelin Primacy

About the car
Place of production: Villaverde, Spain
Owner: sixt.es
Model: 2023
Mileage: New car
Km driven: Long-term rental
Source: citroen.es, vegvesen.no

See

Citroen C3 Aircross has become more grown up

Citroen.no
Maureillas-Las-Illas on Tripadvisor
How we test the cars

Along the street in Céret

Posted 28/11/2022 by Terje Bjørnstad

Céret is one of many villages in the Catalan part of France where cobbled streets with picturesque stone houses still exist. At the beginning of the 1900th century, the city was a meeting place for artists. From our shepherd's hut, we can see into the old garden where Pablo Picasso and George Braque held merry parties 100 years ago - where Salvador Dali was also present.

Céret is located in a very rural setting at the foot of the Pyrenees - very close to the border with Spain. The nearest big city is Barcelona. The city is very far from Paris and the Côte d'Azur - in a positive way. It is not expensive to visit the restaurants, everyone speaks French and there are cars here that you cannot find in the Côte d'Azur. Now there is no longer a 2CV or Renault 4 on it each street corner in Céret. But since we are in an area where cars do not rust, there are still many cars such as Renault 5, Express, Citroen C15, Renault Twingo mk 1 and Peugeot 205 on the roads. These are cars that are almost extinct in other parts of Europe, but here they are common. In 5 years they may be gone for good.

Citroen

Citroen BX Millesime TD

The car in the main picture above belongs in Céret. It is a Millesime edition that appeared in recent years in production with a nice equipment package. The equipment level with, among other things, a rear spoiler is supplemented by yellow lights, integrated fog lights, black signs and a sunroof. The sunroof gives the car character. According to the owner, the panoramic roof is taken from a Twingo. The car has recently been fixed up after an injury and is often on the move in the city with the owner behind the wheel. If you are on Instagram, you can follow him under his username pali_kao.

Citroen Ami 9A and 2CV

I don't think the new electric Ami is sold in Norway. It is also not a big sales hit in our part of France. The car pictured is actually the only one I've seen in town. I think it's a shame that it is only made as moped car. If it had been built as a 4-wheel motorcycle (quadricycle lourd), it could be registered in vehicle class L7e. If the car could go faster than 45 km/h, you could follow normal traffic flow. Then I think it would be better received in the market. The reason I took a picture of it is because of the nice 2CV patina it has - just like the great 2CV on the right.

Lemon Xantia

I forgot to mention that the Citroen Xantia is one of the car models that is still current and drivable here. The car in the picture above belongs to the first series of Xantia. I have passed it several times and have noticed how great it is. For being BX's successor, Xantia seems less distinctive - more "mainstream". But if you get hold of a Xantia with Active Suspension, you have a wolf in sheep's clothing on the road.

Many Citroen 2CVs have been in continuous operation since they were new.

Renault

Renault Espace

Let's forget the 2CV and the R4s for a while. Although there are fewer of them, they still exist. I am particularly impressed by the 2CV and R4 that are still in daily use, like the one parked in front of us at one of the city's supermarkets. I would rather focus on the image of Espace from the first series. This is a model that was designed by Matra – a name that arouses enthusiasm in many. The straight, square lines with large glass surfaces were typical of 80s models. The Espace was not just a minibus, but an MPV with the possibility of converting the compartment into a saloon. I don't know the technology in the Espace 1, but I think the design is really tough - something that belongs among 80s icons like the Aston Martin Lagonda and the DeLorean DMC-12.

Renault 5 Express with the passenger car's front

Renault 5 on the loading platform of a Saviem Renault SG2 (3,5 ton truck from around 1980). I hope the Super 5 is headed for renovation and not the car scrap.

Renault 5 and Express

At the moment there are far too many Renault Expresses for me to take pictures of them all. I liked this one because it is clean (renovated) in the bodywork, got nice rims and equipped with the passenger car front from "Supercinq". Most Renault Express in the city are pure used cars with signs of use all over. À propos Super 5, I thought the motif of the Renault 5 on the loading platform of a Saviem Renault SG2 (3,5 tonnes) was really French and nostalgic. I hope the Super 5 is on its way renovation and not the scrap car.

Peugeot

Peugeot 304

I have the impression that few people take the time to restore a Peugeot 304 Berline. The ones I have seen have been in original good condition - probably also the car in the pictures. I have not seen it in the city before, but discovered it on a Sunday visit to the city close to where we live. I had time to admire the stylish Italian lines. They give associations to the Alfa Romeo Super Giulia. I wish Peugeot would find a way back to previous alignments instead of today's crisscrossing lines.

Peugeot 504 Pickup

The pickup model was put into production a few years before the production of the passenger car was phased out, and continued until the early 90s. If you see a 504 pickup, it doesn't have to be very old. I think most pick-up cars you see on the road today have undergone some form of renovation - like the car in the picture. I have seen it in several places in the city, including recently at the city's Peugeot workshop. Considering how solid the 504 Break was, there is reason to believe that this pickup will be able to serve for many years to come.

See

Join us for a short tour of the city on the undersigned's bicycle. Céret is surrounded by fine cycle paths, whether you cycle to the beach or in the mountains. My road bike is only suitable on the road, but there are also off-road trails for those who dare.

Céret (Wikipedia)

French classics 8

Posted 09/11/2022 by Terje Bjørnstad

On the first Sunday of every month, car enthusiasts gather in a deserted shopping center outside Perpignan. Then the area is suddenly filled with hundreds of people and cars. After about an hour, everyone has disappeared one by one.

It's not just about French cars, but cars that have been popular on French roads - as well as cars that the French have taken to heart. Today, the French import vintage cars from all over the world. US cars and English sports cars get French passion plates. One factor that makes it interesting to view car collections here is the dry climate, which means that the cars do not rust. Then you can still study cars that have long since been turned into soil at home. Many of the cars are still driven by owners who are unaware that the old cars have become valuable, but fortunately many are starting to take care of them. Several of them can be found in the pictures in this post.

Sports cars

Alpine A110

reappeared in 2017 in the same form as the legendary A110 model that was produced between 1963 to 1977. The new model follows the same basic concept as its predecessor. It is a light car with a relatively small engine with high performance. The predecessor had a fiberglass body on a steel frame and stern engine. The new model is constructed in aluminum and has the engine centrally located at the rear. It is a 1,8 liter turbo engine that produces from 249 to 300 HP depending on the model. A very beautiful car - one of the few cars you could buy just for its looks. The pictured car has a special decoration which is the same as Alpine's Formula 1 team uses in the Formula 1 model A521.

Aston Martin GT8

This model was produced from 2017 as a special model in only 150 copies. A 4,7 liter V8 that produces 446 HP. Despite a lot of "trim", the weight has been reduced by 100 kg. Here you really have to take care to take it easy over the speed bumps and keep a good distance to the concrete edges of the car park.

Ferrari 308 GTS

Few cars look as good in photos as the Ferrari 308. It has clean, marked and straight lines - a design that has stood the test of time very well. The model was in production from 1975 to 1985. "308" stands for 3 liters and 8 cylinders. When the 308 was launched, many hardcore Ferrari fans believed that 8 cylinders were not suitable for any Ferrari. There were supposed to be 12 cylinders. Today, Ferrari has been very successful with its 8-cylinder cars - all full-fledged Ferraris.

DeTomaso Pantera

It's not often you get to see a DeTomaso Pantera, and even more rarely a yellow one. The DeTomaso 874 Pantera was equipped with a Ford 351 Cleveland V8 engine, mid-rear. It both sounds and runs really well! But Ford was not just a subcontractor to De Tomaso. They bought into the company and sold the cars in the US through their Lincoln-Mercury dealer network. The collaboration with Ford lasted from 1971 to 1975. The car pictured was probably produced during this period. Incidentally, I have never noticed the plaque with "Power by Ford" before.

Porsche Boxster

The Porsche 986 Boxster was the first Boxster model to hit the market. It was produced from 1996 to 2003 with water-cooled boxer engines. Technically, the Boxster is a more pure sports car than its big brother the 911, in that the engine is centrally located behind, that is, it sits in front of the rear axle. The 911, by comparison, has a pure stern engine. The special thing about the pictured car is the colour. It suits the car, although it takes courage to choose such a colour.

Rallye2 – the top model in the Simca 1000 series

Simca Rally 2

The Simca 1000 was cheap, especially in France. Well, the cars were cheap and small, but they were tough and got an image for going really well. What contributed to the raised image was the Rallye edition. 4 different engines have been delivered in the Rallye edition over the years. The pictured model is the Rallye 2 – a street racer at an affordable price. I don't know exactly how much the car in the picture produces, but in the standard version it produced something like 80 horses. It can create a lot of fun in a car that only weighs 800 kg. This car must be like driving a go-cart on the road.

Do you remember these?

Lancia beta

I've seen the Lancia Beta in a 5-door version before, but can't remember when. I marveled at the condition of the car in the photos. It seemed brand new without being newly refurbished. The model was produced between 1975 and 1984. It received a significant facelift in 1980 which, in my opinion, did not make the car any more beautiful. The car in the picture is from before 1980. It was equipped with a 1600 engine.

Fiat 600 Multipla

This must have been the most popular car at the meeting. It was almost impossible to take a picture of it. I think the kids especially thought this was a fun vehicle. And the Multipla really was a phenomenal vehicle in the 60s. Just over 3,5 metres, 700 kg heavy and still room for up to 5 people with 2 rows of seats and 6 (!) people with 3 rows of seats. The platform of the model originates from the Fiat 600 and one can find several common design elements. The Multipla received reinforcements in the undercarriage based on components taken from the Fiat 1100.

Ford Taunus Transit

These cars were probably just as often referred to as Taunus van than the Taunus Transit. The model was produced until 1965 and equipped with engines from the Taunus 17M series. The cars were built at Ford's plant in Cologne. British Ford built another model, Fort Thames. Both models were represented in Norway. It has been a long time since I have seen a Taunus Transit in Norway. The two cars belong to different generations. It was Volkswagen's T2's predecessor, the T1, which was produced at the same time as the Taunus Transit.

Simca Aronde 60 – French top seller in the 60s

Peugeot 204. 4 meters long with one wheel in each corner.

Austin Mni 1000. There are always more great Minis at the collections.

There will be more photos from the car collection in new posts, including the Renault 5 which celebrates 50 years this year - and the Renault Turbo 2.

See

RVA66 – the organizer's website

French classics 7

Posted 07/04/2022 by Terje Bjørnstad

French classics are not just about cars that are produced in France – but also cars that the French love. They often turn up at car meets like I was at last Sunday. An eldorado for anyone who likes French cars.

French brand identity

Volvo or Saab? Ford or Chevy? French brands also have their supporters. Renault, Peugeot or Citroen? If you like Renault, you also like the Alpine models now owned by the Renault group. In the past, the Peugeot dealer in my town sold Simca. Simca's still come in for service. Citroen took over Panhard in the mid-60s. It's not every day you see a Panhard in good condition. The car meet this Sunday was visited by nothing less than to Panhard cars. The main picture is a Simca Ariane I have not seen before. A Matra Bagheera and Talbot VF2 van is constantly visiting these meetings.

Dance son jus

The French term is used for cars that are authentic - lived a life without being refurbished or anything like that. In the southern, Catalan part of France, cars do not rust. This means that several cars still roll for their own machine on original plates. I caught my eye in a Van den Plas - the luxury version of the Austin/Morris 1300 in a condition that could be considered 'in its own right'. Usually it is French cars such as Citroen 2CV, Dyane and Méhari or Renault 4 - which arrive in such a condition. Many classics have of course been renovated according to all the rules of art. In this part of France, there are still mechanics who like to fix the old classics.

About the meeting

The meeting place is the area around the shopping centre Chateau Roussillon outside Perpignan. The meeting is open to all enthusiasts of old, rare or special vehicles – not just French cars. They meet on Sunday of each month - officially from 9.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. In practice, most people arrive around 10 and leave at exactly 11 to make it back for lunch. Sunday lunch with the extended family is the highlight of the week for many - including us Norwegians who live here.

Link to the car meeting

To see the official photos on the association's website, you have to scroll long down the page - until you reach the image of a gray Renault 10. Click on the image and you will enter the association's Flickr page.

The French

The nice Simca 1100 VF2 van often stops by. The Renault 4 van in the background is native to my own French neighbourhood. Many vans are still used on a daily basis, even though they have long since become vintage vehicles. Citroen 2CV, Dyane-based Acadiane, Visa-based C150, Renault 5-based Express, - and most recently yesterday I saw two different Peugeot 404 pickups along the road.

Simca 1100
Simca Ariane/Vedette

Citroen, Panhard and Peugeot. The blue Citroen GS was an X1 – a sporty edition with round instruments. This car has an air-cooled boxer engine of 1015 ccm. The Panhard PL17 also has a small air-cooled engine. With 2 cylinders, the engine emits a special warm, muted "crunch" when it runs. A Panhard should not only be seen – it should also be heard. The Peugeot 404 had its life extended as a pickup/utilitaire. They are still in traffic, but it is rare to see a 404 sedan.

Citroen GS/GSA
Panhard
Peugeot 403
Peugeot 404

The Peugeot 205 is undoubtedly a classic - and there are quite a few of them - not only at car meets, but also on the road. They are actually quite common features in traffic. I like to take pictures of special cars and the 205 is, in my eyes, a special car. But I have to be discreet when taking pictures, as many of the owners do not consider their 205 to be either special or rare.

Peugeot 205

A Peugeot 205 GTI can pose everywhere where fine cars travel. As here, it cuts a good figure next to a Ferrari Mondial.

Ferrari Mondial

Cars for eccentrics

Burton sports car based on 2CV mechanics.

The main image is a Burton 2CV. There is a Dutch company that builds these cars by transforming existing 2CVs into likeable sports cars. The black Panther Kallista is one of several Panthers who visit the meet. It would seem that there is a good Panther environment in these parts of France. The white Excalibur got a lot of attention when it arrived with a humming V8 engine. The brand is a newer American copy of the 30s Mercedes-Benz 500K equipped with the Ford Mustang V8. Here it backs into place between the small French cars.

Panther

Other cars

The Honda S2000 is a roadster/sports car that is a gem for all Honda enthusiasts. As you know, Honda are good at engines. The 2-litre in the pictured car produces a whopping 241 HP. I took the photo of the Volkswagen 1500 (Type 3) because it was in exceptionally good condition. It looked like it was brand new. The old bestseller Ford F100 is no ordinary car in Europe. I don't know the history, but it looks like it has lived an unrestored life in a dry area like Arizona - or in the same local environment it is in now.

Volkswagen 1500

Renault Sport

Back to this with French brand affiliation. French cars like Citroen, Peugeot or Renault? For me, it is Renault that makes my heart beat faster. One of the reasons is the involvement in motorsport. Renault and Alpine are not known for putting big engines in small, light cars. They trim small engines, reduce the weight of the vehicle and create good driving characteristics - so that you can get quickly through tracks and rally tracks.

Which French car brand is closest to your heart?

Alpine A310
Renault 4CV
Alpine A110

See

Motorhome with pig snout

Posted 12/12/2021 by Terje Bjørnstad

peugeot d4 — The model that became known for its pig snout. Here converted into a camping car.

If you convert a vintage car into a camper, you can create your own time bubble and spend many days in it.

A rolling project

The car in the pictures has registration numbers from more recent times, but lacks a visible insurance certificate in the windscreen, which is mandatory in France. Through the front window I could make out the wood or wood veneer furnishings that are typical for camper vans. The superstructure above the roof looks like a sleeping alcove and the patina testifies that it has accompanied the car for many years. This may seem like a rolling project. A fully equipped car can be used for retro camping.

Hippie culture

I took the photos earlier this autumn - in a village in the south of France. There, it is possible for people seeking freedom to live in mobile homes all year round. Not big, expensive camper vans, but simple "hippie buses" based on older Volkswagen T3, Ford Transit or similar that can easily be parked in regular public car parks with public toilets nearby.

Few copies left

The vehicle in the pictures may have had a past as a hippie bus, but now it was parked in a nice residential area. A car like this is special in several ways. First of all because it is more than 60 years old Peugeot D4 - a model that is very rare - even in France. The Doningen is also interesting for its very special superstructure. With some work, this could be the coolest RV on any campsite!

It's not every day you come across a Peugeot D4 with active registration numbers.

Model history

The first edition of this model was called D3. It was developed during the war and put into production from 1947 by the car manufacturer Chenard-Walcker. The engines were supplied by Peugeot and were the same engine that was in the Peugeot 202 of the time. However, the engines went out of production when the Peugeot 203 was launched. According to the websites of Friends of Chenard & Walcker refused Peugeot to deliver the new 203 engines to Chenard-Walcker, which contributed to the company's failure and eventually being taken over by Peugeot. The D3 was the company's last model - which became a new, long-awaited model at Peugeot. The Peugeot D3 was produced in several series - all with engines taken from Peugeot's passenger car programme, first from the 203, - later from the 403. From 1955, the model was called the Peugeot D4.

Modern technology

Apart from the changes under the engine compartment, only minimal changes were made to the appearance. In the vernacular, the special front part was referred to as the "pig's snout" (nez de cochon). Despite the old-fashioned appearance, the D3 and D4 were advanced cars for their time with self-supporting bodywork, front-wheel drive and independent suspension on all 4 wheels and a 12-volt electrical system – thanks to Chenard-Walcker who had been producing cars since 1898.

In public service

The Peugeot D3/D4 could be delivered as a bus and van - and many cars were delivered to the police, fire and rescue services. The cars were also popular as stretchers. Some were specially decorated as food trucks. It is unknown whether anyone offered furnishing solutions and conversion to a camper van. The successor, the Peugeot J7, had in any case been very popular as a camping car. Several roof solutions for camping were made for this model - in the same way as for the Volkswagen T2 and T3. Nevertheless, certain Peugeot D3/D4s live on as sympathetic motorhomes, but most likely rebuilt afterwards.

peugeot j7 — Peugeot J7 (1965-1980) (source: FavCars.com)

Peugeot D4B with sliding door (source: FavCars.com)

Facts about the Peugeot D3/D4

Production series:
1947-1950 Chenard-Walker D3 with engine from Peugeot 202. 1,3 liter 30 HP with 3-speed gearbox.
1950-1952 Peugeot D3A with engine from Peugeot 203. 1,3 liter 32 HP.
1952-1955 Peugeot D3B with stronger engine 40 HP.
1955-1960 Peugeot D4A with engines from Peugeot 403. First 1,5 liter 45 HP - later 1,8 liter diesel 48 HP - all with 4-speed gearbox.
1960-1965 Peugeot D4B with a stronger petrol engine of 55 HP.
Length, width and height in cm: 443 x 184 x 211
Height of depicted model: Approximately 300 cm.
Top speed: Approximately 80 km/h.
The car depicted is a Peugeot P4A produced between 1955 and 1960.

peugeot utility — Advertisement for Peugeot commercial vehicle 1964

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Panhard oh là là

Posted 16/10/2021 by Terje Bjørnstad

Every now and then I come across something that is super French. Not just because it's old, mean and rare - but because it's French to the tips of your fingers - if you can put it that way.

I currently live in an outlying area of France. It is an excellent starting point for studying French automotive art. I have stopped taking pictures of the Citroen 2CV and Renault 4 because there are so many of them. Even more are small vans such as the Citroen Visa-based C15 and the R5-based Renault Express. Every now and then I come across something that is super French. Not just because it's old, mean and rare - but because it's French to the tips of your fingers - if you can put it that way.

Panhard is such a brand

It has existed since the first cars in the world were built. After the war, they built cars in pure aluminium. It was expensive. So expensive that the company was taken over by Citroen of the time. The production of passenger cars ceased in 1967.

Let me introduce the Panhard PL17

The model was produced between 1959 and 1965. It was a time when most French people drove around in cars like the Renault 4CV, Dauphine, Simca Aronde and Volkswagen 1200, to name a few. The Panhard was in a class of its own. It was registered for 6 people and could visually compete with the Peugeot 403, Citroen ID/DS or Simca Vedette.

But Panhard was different

The entire body is in aluminium. Bumpers and trim strips look like matt chrome. But it's not chrome – it's untreated aluminium(!). To get to the engine compartment, you open the entire front, which consists of a single piece of aluminum. The interior is stylish and oozes comfort. Relmax S has genuine leather seats similar to those in the Citroen DS. The design of the dashboard and door sides is not only stylish and French, they also give a good sense of space.

Special engines

This is perhaps where the French thing comes into play. When you lift up the front of the car, a front shield appears. No radiator. Unfortunately, I don't have any good pictures of this, but if you study the engine more closely, you see that it is an air-cooled, 2-cylinder engine with the cylinders lying flat against each other - much like in the Citroen 2CV. The engine appears rather "squeaky" for such a large car! A sound image like a creaking - or clattering 2CV, does not fit well in a car like this. And where does the air come in? None of the PL17 models have any visible grill in the front.

Worked surprisingly well

The small engine is an 850 ccm that provides 50 HP on the standard version and 60 HP for Tigre. Considering the car's light weight, the performance is not at all bad for its time. A standard PL17 weighs just 845 kg. The engines had to rev to run, and they were rev-loving. Yes, there is 2CV sound inside the engine compartment, but the engines were much better muffled through the exhaust than in the 2CVs. From the outside, the soundscape became harsher – almost like in a sports car. Panhard is known for its good comfort. The suspension was based on leaf springs at the front (2 transverse) and torsion bars at the rear. Panhard is known for Panhardstaget – a crossbar that gives the axle lateral support during suspension movements.

Had a Norwegian representative

I The book about Trolls av Paal Kvamme, it emerges that Edward Sejerstedt Bødtger wanted to get Troll's founder, Kohl-Larsen, to replace the two-stroke engine with a more powerful engine from Panhard. Sejerstedt Bødtger had an agency for Panhard in Norway through his company DNA (Det norske Automobilkonsern). Before the war, Panhard was brought into Norway through Bertel O Steen. Why Panhard never gained a foothold in Norway remains a mystery. Was it too French? Or could it be due to a lack of winter properties? The small air-cooled engine would hardly be able to heat the large compartment in cold winter weather.

Facts 1962 Panhard PL17 Tigers

Length, width and height: 458 x 169 x 141 cm
Wheelbase: 257 cm
Engine: 2-cyl. cans air cooled
Displacement: 845 ccm
Transmission: 4 gears - front wheel drive
Top speed: 145 km/h
About the Panhard PL17:
– Produced from 1959 to 1965
- Variants consisted of 4-door saloon, 5-door estate and 2-door cabriolet.
Sources: automobile-catalog.com as well as statements in the below YouTube feature from Jay Leno's Garage.

Panhard PL17 in Norway

The vehicle register contains information on 7 PL17s. In reality, there may have been many more PL17s in the country - without being included in the current register. In any case, there is currently only one registered and approved PL17. It is a 1965 model. Unfortunately, one car was registered as a wreck as recently as 2013. The others are currently deregistered.

Panhard PL17 pictures

Stylish front. The air intake looks small considering that there is an air-cooled engine inside. But the engine is small. 850 ccm, 2-cylinder boxer engine, – like an enlarged Citröen Dyane engine.

The Panhard Tigre could reach a top speed of 145 km/h thanks to its low weight and low drag.

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French classics 6

Posted 05/10/2021 by Terje Bjørnstad

Through a series of articles, I have presented French classics that I have come across at various car events in France. It's not just about cars that are produced in France – but also cars that the French love.

Reunion with a local car meet

For the first time since Covid it has been possible to visit the local monthly car meeting in my part of France. The concept is the same as Cars and coffee - an event that is open to all vehicles that the owners would like to show off to like-minded people. The difference from our own events is the selection of cars and the audience.

Great car interest

You rarely find Volvo or Saab here - nor as many Japanese cars as at home. Here by the Mediterranean, it is Latin cars that dominate with fresh touches of Americans. American muscle cars are the same across the board. What I particularly appreciate is everyone who comes by only as spectators. The car is part of our culture and history. That's why I think it's great to see people taking pictures of family members in front of beautiful cars, grandfathers telling their grandchildren about the cars of old, and car geeks discussing details with the owners. It is about a broad car culture.

Today's favourites

I recognized several of the cars from the time before Covid. If I were to single out a winner in my eyes, it would have to be the Renault Dauphine Cabriolet signed by Henri Chapron. If I could choose a car for my own garage, it would have to be the Simca Rallye 2. My brother-in-law particularly liked the two-stroke Chevy Corvette C3 from the 70s - for many the finest model. We also got to study two new Corvettes in the C7 series up close. You can say that GM has been faithful to the concept. The C7 is a worthy successor to classics like the C3. The all-new Corvette C8, on the other hand, has a mid-mounted engine. It is therefore not impossible that the C7 can get the status of "the last real Corvette"?
.

About the meeting

The meeting place is the area around the Chateau Roussillon shopping center outside Perpignan. The meeting is open to all enthusiasts of old, rare or special vehicles. They meet on Sunday of each month - officially from 9.00 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. In practice, most people arrive around 10 and leave at exactly 11 to make it back for lunch. Sunday lunch with the extended family is the highlight for many French people.

Link to the car meeting

The images

The pictures here on Terje's cars are eventually posted on the reviews of the respective car models i The car catalog. This also applies to some photos that have not yet been published. The images can be enlarged by clicking on them.