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.
The pictures from Saturday originate from a small car festival in a small French village not far from the Mediterranean.
Palau del Vidre
The village with the Catalan name dates from the 1300th century. The name of the city means "glass palace". And glass is what the city is most famous for. Glassblowers still make artful glass. Among several cultural events this autumn, the "fête de l'auto" was organized on Saturday and Sunday with an exhibition of old cars in the city centre, and military vehicles at a nearby lake. Cars are culture – at least when the event is accompanied by cheerful horn music.
1969 Ford Mustang
Simca Aronde
Simca Aronde gave a lot of car for the money. The entry-level model with a 40-horsepower 1100 engine did not cost much more than the Renault Dauphine. The Simca was 18 cm longer and 4 cm wider than the Dauphine. Both Renault Dauphine and Simca Aronde were at the top of the sales charts in the 60s in France.
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 – new model
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
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.
Power by Ford
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.
Simca Rallye2
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 in very good condition
Lancia Beta Type 828
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
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.
Volkswagen T2 Westfalia Camper and Ford Taunus Transit
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
Porsche 356 Super 90 – 90 horses
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.
I have been to a French car meeting in Perpignan and took pictures which will eventually be entered in the respective articles below the car catalogue to illustrate different models, variants, equipment levels and colours. Here is a taste from the gallery last Sunday.
Rare Italians
Vespa 400 from a French car event
Lamborghini Aventador
Dino 308 GT4
Vespa (Piaggio) 400 is a vehicle of which there are hardly many in Norway. It was produced around the same time as the Isetta. It has a 2-cylinder air-cooled stern-mounted scooter engine which, according to the specifications, should produce 14 horses and reach a top speed of 80-90 km/h. This car is a regular at the local car shows and it's basically the only example I've ever seen. Lamborghini Aventador is at the other end of the performance spectrum. It has a V12 engine and can do 0-100 in 2.9 seconds. Both the Aventador and the next car, Dino 308 GT4, are rare. Dino is, as everyone knows, Ferrari. But when Ferrari developed a model with 6 and eventually 8 cylinders, Dino was chosen as the brand name as it was feared that it could drag down the Ferrari brand. After all, Ferrari was known for only making cars with V12 engines. When the Dino 308 GT4 received a new body in 1977, it was named the Ferrari 308 – officially the first Ferrari with 8 cylinders.
Ford Sierra stands for many as one of the last proper Fords - with rear-wheel drive. The top model RS Cosworth was - and is - the dream car for many. It also helped make the Sierra attractive as a family car, used car and robbery car. The predecessor Ford Taunus "Knudsen" has been forgotten by most people. One of the reasons is that there are almost none left. In the South of France, cars are not as exposed to rust as at home. Like the Sierra, Taunus were popular for many years – also as youth cars. Most were 2- or 4-door. The best of them all was this coupe model. I also took a picture of one Jaguar XK8, a model that succeeded the XJ12. The XK8 was the first series-produced Jaguar with a V8 engine, developed as a real Jaguar but put into production shortly after Ford took over.
Renault 4CV in the company of other Frenchmen from the same era
Renault Dauphine Gordinic
Panhard 24
A red one Renault 4CV is in the center – to the right of one Panhard PL17. These were common cars in the 50s, but not as common today. A red Renault 4CV must have been a great car to own. The successor Renault Dauphine there are more of them on hits like this, but very rarely Gordini like the car in the picture. It also has the special Aerostable damper solution based on air-filled rubber cushions. Panhard 24 is the last Panhard passenger car that was made. It came in two versions – Berlina and a shorter Coupé. The pictured model is a BT - Berlina with the Tigre engine.
I heard the ice blue sports car when it arrived. It sounded unmistakably like a Renault Dauphine, but I had never seen such a car before. And quite rightly so babysitter a Dauphine engine in it. But the brand? Willys Interlagos? Was it a Renault in disguise? The owner explained that this is actually an Alpine A108 manufactured "overtime" in Brazil under his own name. Now it has been taken "back" to France. The A108 is a stunningly beautiful car! Under the Miscellaneous tab, I also include a red one Alfa Romeo Alfasud TI. I don't know much about the car, but Alfasud is rare to see. They were known to rust very easily and are rare in our latitudes. In the end, I had to bring a leaker Volkswagen 1300.
Photo Sunday – Cadillac DinerPhoto Sunday – YoungtimersPhoto Sunday – Cars on display along the roadPhoto Sunday - Life in the artist streetPhoto Sunday – Citroen and G 500
Two fine Frenchmen. The Peugeot 205 Rallye was built for homologation in the rally class under 1400 ccm. It was also sold here at home.
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"?
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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.
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 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.
The Alpine A310 is, as usual, an eye-catcherA nice 2CV
The last real Corvette?
Chevrolet Corvette C7Chevrolet Corvette C7Chevrolet Corvette C7
Renault Dauphine
The Renault Dauphine Cabriolet by Henri Chapron is something you don't see every dayRenault Dauphine with Cabriolet built by Henri Chapronnostalgia Former Renault 4CV and successor Renault Dauphine (th)Renault Dauphine interiorSimca Rallye 2 (last series) Renault 16 TX – great car with an engine that ran exceptionally well
Baur
BMW TC Baur – convertibleBaur has been building BMW convertibles for many years
Distinctive French cars
Matra Murena. A row of seats with 3 seats.Panhard PL 17 Relmax S – large and comfortable car with a tiny two-cylinder air-cooled engine at the front. Typical French.Citroen Ami 8Peugeot 403 – one of the world's most durable cars. Popular taxi cars. Many ended up in Africa.Citroen Turbo series 2
Foreign car brands
Beautiful sight – Ferrari 360 and Porsche 911 996Fantastic Ford Mustang Cobra GT500.Ford A with lovely engine (Y-block?) Alfa Romeo Giulia Super
It was tight between the cars inside the exhibition area.
Many great donations, 60th anniversary of Mini and a very special Peugeot 403. Image gallery from RVA66 - Collection of old, exclusive and special vehicles in Perpignan, France.
Not just French cars
Many of the cars in the collection were by no means made in France - but still highly valued. Americans, for example. It is quite common to see Ford Mustangs of various vintages on the roads. I think most of them have French history, ie sold as new in France. I have also seen several Oldsmobile F85s from the early sixties. I guess that model must have had some popularity in its time.
Cars such as people's vans and buses are popular collectors' cars, here as elsewhere. The bubbles are called Coccinelle (ladybug) – or just Cox. On the occasion of Mini celebrating 60 years these days, the organizers had set aside an extended area for attending Minis. All the cars got their own party hat on the roof. It was impressive to see so many gathered in one place, but the allocated space was actually at least made. Maybe there were more Minis than planned?
Do you remember Matra Bagheera?
French cars are always the focus of the public. Simca, Peugeot, Renault, Citroen from when the undersigned was a boy, are popular with spectators at least as old. I don't know, but the sports car Matra Bagheera with three seats must have been a real "lady magnet" in the early 70s, and consequently the dream car for all of us who were young at the time.
Matra Bagheera.
Rare French cars
Recently, several pre-war models have appeared. First and foremost, a great collection of Citroen Traction Avant, which was produced right up until the mid-50s. A stately long-edition Peugeot 402 also appears regularly. We are talking about real, French classics - but cars that few surviving Norwegians had any special relationship with? The Peugeot 403, on the other hand, was a very common car on Norwegian roads. The pontoon bodywork bore little resemblance to contemporary pontoon models from Mercedes-Benz. The Peugeot 403 was popular with taxi owners. Spacious, durable and solid. The Familiale version could be delivered with three rows of seats. At the last gathering in Perpignan, a very special Peugeot 403 appeared. A cabriolet, - you know the car that police lieutenant Columbo drove around in. Or "wheeled" you could say, since the car in the TV series had no engine and otherwise appeared to be particularly drivable. The red cabriolet in Perpignan, on the other hand, looked like new. The 1,5 liter purred like a cat – and moved almost as silently as Columbo's car.
More pictures
Click on an image - or thumbnail - to see it in a larger format.
This widened Alpine A110 got a lot of attention.Simca 1000.Beautiful VW bubble circa 1965/66 with sidewalls and black signs (fr).French everyday cars. Citroen 2CV and Renault 4, with Renault 10 in the background. At the outer edges we can see Citroen Ami (left) and Citroen Mehari (th).The pre-war model Peugeot 402 in a long version.Exhibitors at the collection. In the foreground: Ford Mustang mk1 1971-73.Classic Opels. From left: Monza 2,5E and Manta GT/E.1962 Oldsmobile F85 3,5 V8Classic Minis at Rassemblement Vehicules Anciens in Perpignan.1956 Peugeot 403 Convertible
Details of the Peugeot 403 Cabriolet
Nice interior. Peugeot 403 Convertible.
1956 Peugeot 403 Convertible.
1962 Oldsmobile F-85 3,5 V8
Volkswagen bubbles.
Classic Mini
Classic Minis
A rebuilt Citroen Acadiane and Citroen 2 CV Fourgonnette
Time for Sunday lunch! Everyone leaves at the same time.
Facts
Rassemblement Véhicules anciens du 66 aims to collect cars that are either old, exclusive and/or special cars from the Pyrenees-Orientales (66) district in France. Meetings are held on the first Sunday of each month all year round. The meeting point is now around the Carré d'Or shopping center next to the city's largest Carrefour centre. Map description is provided on the organiser's website. It is open to the public, who either park at Carrefour or inside by McDonalds on the south side. The opening hours are between 9 and 12. You should not arrive after 10.30 as many leave early to catch Sunday lunch.
French car collections differ little from Norwegian ones. On Sunday I visited the "Rassemblement Véhicules Anciens" outside Perpignan.
Short and intense
At 9.00 a.m., the first cars appeared at the "Golden Square" shopping center outside the French city of Perpignan, which is closed on Sundays. In the parking lot next door, the public came. There are many more spectators here than at the Cars and coffee events at home. There was a pleasant atmosphere with several good comments between the cars. The event is quite intense. Already at 11.00 people started to move on. Half an hour later there were only a couple of cars left.
For me, the trip there takes just over 40 minutes each way. It was the first time I visited the new meeting point in the north-east of the city. I was a little unsure where the meeting place was, but I was looking for a stylish bubble and a 70s Mini. Several funny donnings followed. I myself am currently driving around in a Jeep Renegade – a vehicle that fitted in well with the festive spectacle.
Gallery
The images here will eventually be placed in the brand-based image gallery on terjesbiler.no. A couple of the cars were so surrounded by people that it was difficult to take a picture. It's not every time you see a sleek 21-window Folkevognbus or a slightly "pimped" Lamborghini Espada. If you click on the images, they are displayed in full size.
The typically French
Two Alpine A110s – beautiful sports cars based on the Renault 8.Peugeot 304 Coupé Cabriolet. You could probably say that Peugeot has followed the same cabrio concept ever since "Inspector Columbo's" patinated 403 Cabriolet saw the light of day.Serious, French utility vehicles that plied the roads in the 50s. Citroen CV11 Traction Avant and Peugeot 403.
The exclusive ones
Ferrari 599. V12 engine centrally located at the front.The interior tells that this is a Series 1-based Lamborghini Espada.Lighter styled Lamborghini Espada 400 which gathered many spectators. The choice of rims is a matter of taste and pleasure. I think they make the car look old fashioned. It is, after all, about a design that took shape in the 60s. I also think some of the finishes could have been better done, especially the black areas, which looked like they were painted with a brush. In any case, it's nice that someone takes care of these great cars.Porsche 911 992-based GT3. Parked a bit out of the way, but if I could take one with me - only en - car home, it would be this one.
Simca
I read somewhere that Simca Aronde gave French customers the most car for the money in its time.Simca Vedette, Ariane. Ford's European V8 project which ended up as Simca. This is the first Vedette model built by Simca, but sold as a Ford, including in Norway.Simca 1100. Super popular cars of which there are almost none left.
Volkswagen
Matching bubble and camping bus in yellow.Sympathetic bubble in good working condition, - it ran well - and looked completely original. California bumpers.Matching 21-window bus and bubble. It was the one I followed into the area.
Panther
From the Panther community. There are several Panthers rolling in this region. This is a car model you hardly see anywhere else in the world. All models are otherwise right-hand drive, so I assume they were brought in from the UK. Wondering if Cruella DeVille is around?
Those who stood outside
The Citroen Xantia is currently to be considered a Youngtimer - and future classic. Here in the South of France, they still roll on the roads - but rarely as nice as this one.Motorcycles. Here my favorites – Honda CB from the 70s.
It looked like the car of the Spökelsekladden or the B gang. It had a rough, uncultivated engine sound. Not as cozy as the Buick I had recently been on a trip with.
Simca Beaulieu V8.
The description of the Simca Vedette is taken from my own memory as a boy around 1970. A neighbor passed our house daily with his Simca V8. From the front you could hear the engine well. It had a sharp and uncultivated soundscape – like the sound of a vintage car.
I could perhaps have added: - Like an old man Ford.
Simca V8 is about the remains after American Ford had tried to establish itself on French soil shortly after the war. The engine they had brought to the project was a scaled-down version of Ford's side-vented flathead V8 from the early thirties. A historic motoring legend. When Simca took over the estate from Ford in 1954, they further developed the engine, among other things by increasing the stroke length and raising the compression. With 2,4 liters (143 cubic inches) and 84 horses, it is still considered one of the world's smallest series-produced V8s. At the same time in the United States, Ford now supplied cars with the new V8 engine, the so-called Y-block engine, with overhead valves (OHV).
French car history
The cars in the pictures are Simca Vedette series 2 which came in 1958. Simca introduced new, all-French model names which Beaulieu og Chambord. They became prestige cars on a par with the expensive Citroën DS models. A separate presidential edition was even made. All in all, 62 Vedetters were produced between 000 and 1958. Then the V1961 project was stopped - for good. V8s were never going to dominate European fleets.
I saw the burgundy Beaulieu at a car meet in Canet-en-Roussillon in the south of France. In this region, Vedetters are as rare as here at home. While I was taking pictures, a gray-haired gentleman came walking towards the car with determined steps. He looked at the model designation on the rear screen and exclaimed with joy:
«- Ahh, Beaulieu!!!»
The two patinated cars in the picture gallery are on private land at Sando in Holmestrand municipality. There used to be an old petrol station there. Guessing that the cars have been connected to the station.
- Remains from the time when there were Vedetters on Norwegian roads.
Simca Beaulieu in pictures
A complete instrument panel with V8 emblem in the steering wheel hub and cubes under the mirror.An almost complete dashboard.Beautiful view with a view of the fjord and Kommersøya.With an N-mark at the back and a souvenir from Sweden on the rear window, one can probably conclude that this car must have been driven in Norway.Emblem: Beaulieu. Many vital details intact.Beaulieu. Simca Vedette series 2.Ancient French pride in a beautiful Norwegian agricultural landscape.It seems that the car in the background is a parts car. It has damage to the front and lacks glass, but has details that the "main car" lacks.
Facts about Simca Beaulieu
About the model
Year of production: 1958-61
Length: 4,70 metres
Width: 1,77 meters
Motor
Side vented, V8.
Displacement: 2351 ccm / 143 ci
Horsepower: 84 at 4800 rpm
Torque: 152 Nm at 2750 revolutions
Daily Simca Vedette Presidency has belonged to General De Gaulle. The car has been used by, among others, Queen Elisabeth, the Shah of Iran and John F. Kennedy. Here it is offered at auction in Paris in 2013. French authorities demanded that the historic vehicle remain on French soil. And the bonus? It was €117 (French speaking).
Chrysler 2 literA completely unique VedetteSimca Ariane
The Renault 5 was launched in 1972 as the first in what was to become a completely new series of small cars. The Volkswagen Polo was launched in 1975 and the Ford Fiesta in 1977.Viggo (Gaston Lagaffe)
I could tell that the French love their cars and their car history. They also love cartoons. I don't know of any country in the world that has such a large selection of car magazines and comic magazines as them. And if - like me - you like both cars and comics, you can enjoy the fact that the cartoon writers like to draw beautiful classic cars in their plots. We see that not only in Hergé's Tintin and Franquin's Viggo, but also several talented, younger cartoonists who have chosen the same drawing style as the aforementioned gentlemen. I will return to this in a later post.
But then, - while some French people live and breathe for their cars, others completely give up. They seem ignorant of everything to do with cars. They drive carelessly and park wherever they see fit, and don't seem to be bothered by a bump or two.
I have just been on an autumn visit to France. I have sought out a car gathering where several hundred car enthusiasts with and without a car meet. I have also photographed classic French cars that I have come across on the road. It is not only the cars that I have studied, but also the owners of these great vehicles. Some are of course aware that they are driving true French traditions knowing that an old 2CV or Renault 4 is one of the coolest things you can drive in these days. But the most beautiful cars, - the ones that are completely authentic, - are the ones driven by people who are hitchhiking, unaware of the wonderful treasures they are driving around.
Do you remember these French cars when they were on Norwegian roads?
Chrysler 2 liter. Chrysler in Europe has consisted of English Rootes and French Simca, among others. This model, designed in the USA and manufactured in France, was marketed as the Chrysler 160, Chrysler 180 and Chrysler 2 liter. Not a very exciting name. The cars lacked identity and were almost unsellable in Norway, despite active marketing. It sold poorly in its parent countries of France and the UK, too. Looking at this fine refurbished model, it amazes me that it didn't turn out better.Peugeot 403. A pontoon body with great similarities to the Mercedes-Benz of the 50s. These cars were popular as taxis - also in Norway. The station wagon was also extremely roomy, especially Familale which had an extra row of seats. Long after they stopped producing the 403, it became very popular with Moroccan migrant workers. Few cars handled the African roads better than these Peugeots.Renault R8S. 4 doors and 4 meter car. The Dauphine's successor got sharper and tougher lines. The Renault 8 was popular in motorsport, although I don't remember seeing very many here in Norway. Simca 1000, on the other hand, there were more of them. I remember the Renault 8 as a car for pensioners and old ladies. After I built myself a Renault 4, however, I opened my eyes to how good the Renault 8 really is for hobbyists. Today it is high on the wish list.Citroen GS. I think it cost from around NOK 30 when it arrived in 000. It competed with, among others, the Audi 1971, from 80 and the Passat the following year. Two models were available, one with a 1972 ccm engine and the 1015 Club. They are rare to see on the road today, even in France. Here at home they probably rusted away, - but in France, then?Citroën Dyane. Citroen intended the Dyane to be the successor to the 2CV. Diane var indeed, a slightly more lavish 2CV, but did not have the same appeal to customers as the 2CV. In retrospect, you can probably say that Dyane never reached the 2CV on the coolness factor.Renault 4 photographed outside the house where the artists Picasso and Braque developed their famous art style "Cubism" at the very beginning of the 1900th century. This Renault is a utility vehicle and means of transport. Note the special roof grill. (Céret)Renault 4 photographed along the canal in Perpignan city. Although they were extremely popular, it's getting to be a long time between each time you see a Renault 4 in good driving condition. The few that do exist attract attention in a positive sense. I think every street becomes a little more beautiful with a Renault 4 parked there.I had to take a picture of these two numbered Renault Twingos in the same color (Anis Yellow). Then it's easy to tell which car you're taking, one or two. But the Twingo, which also turns 25 this year, was never brought into Norway. Along the south of France, however, they are still very popular. Most have covered several hundred thousand km, and still roll well.Citroen Mehari. Another car that was never brought into Norway is the Mehari, here in the color Orange Kirghiz. The cars are based on the Citroen Dyane and have a body made of soft plastic. In France they are like cult cars and rain, but for many they are practical and unfussy cars in fresh colours. They are relatively simple restoration objects. Even the plastic can supposedly be replaced.
I cannot hide the fact that I am above average interested in French cars, - so much so that I am willing to see through the fingers of weaknesses that have given rise to many of the prejudices that many people have with regard to French cars. The prejudice stems from the time when many car manufacturers launched innovative technology and design to stand out from the crowd. Many of these models have been immortalized and are kept alive by car enthusiasts around the world.
Citroën 2CV, a car concept we Norwegians don't quite understand.
Over the course of 4 years, I have gotten to know the Citroën C4 more closely. It is not an extremely French car. Without the Citroën logo, it could have been any European car. The 90 HP HDi engine is shared by many other models in the PSA group, as well as Ford. The C4 is just as good as the permanently motorized Peugeot 308 or Ford Focus. It can compete well with the VAG group's Volkswagen Golf, Skoda Octavia and Seat Leon.
But it doesn't make a car enthusiast's heart beat faster.
In the small southern French town where I currently live, there are many old Citroëns, which have given rise to old prejudices. There are no cars for parades and exhibitions. They are used cars that are used in the same way as the C4 I drive, often as car number 2 in the family, or as a work car.
Dyane/Acadiane is a tiny bit less spartan than 2 CV. In front of the Citroen Nemo – a more modern van concept.
The most common old Citroëns I find in traffic are the air-cooled 2 CV and Dyane, as well as the Visa van – or C15 as it is called. Of the newer models, there are still a good number of ZX, Xantia and Xsara on the road, often with faded paint - but without rust. I have trawled the roads and alleys for large Citroëns such as the CX and XM, but they are almost impossible to drive up.
If you are looking for a used C4 - or other car brand - you should follow these two pieces of advice:
1. Choose a popular drivetrain
2. Simple is best
The C4 differs little from other cars in the same class.
The C4 with a 90-horsepower HDI engine is very widespread. It has now been replaced by a new engine with 100 HP, but the 90-horsepower has no known weaknesses. The only thing to be aware of is that engines with particulate filters require refilling with cleaning fluid, and that the particulate filter is changed as part of the service programme, - estimated at 120 km service. If you follow the service intervals carefully, you can drive several hundred thousand problem-free km. If you are going to buy a used C000, I recommend that you choose a 4 liter HDI.
Head cushions that can be adjusted correctly. An important safety detail.
Today, PSA supplies a turbocharged 3-cylinder engine series with 82 and 110 HP. PureTech are modern engines developed to provide high performance and low consumption based on small displacement. I think the 82-horsepower must work a lot, and it is difficult to follow the factory figures with regard to consumption. The 110 horse is better suited to the C4 family.
The C4 has – like its competitors – a long list of extras. If you are on the second-hand market, I would urge you to exercise caution. Drop robotic automatic transmission (EMG) on early models, or models with high mileage. The C4's drivetrain is not sporty, but manual gearboxes are easy to use and durable.
You get a good first impression in the C4.
"My" C4 has navigation, an electromechanical handbrake that automatically switches on and off, front and rear parking warnings, as well as warning of traffic in blind spots. The navigation system on the 2012 model is not up to par with the best. It is too inaccurate for city driving. You can safely ditch navigation and buy Tom-Tom instead.
I recommend C4. You get a lot of car for the money, and a solid, large and comfortable car that will last for many years, although perhaps not as long as the other Citroëns in this "Citroënad".
I have previously written a test report about the C4 that can can be read here
Keyword-wise summary
Engine feels powerful in traffic.
Good comfort and big car feel.
Pleasant noise level.
Good overview from the back seat.
Large luggage compartment for its class.
Durable engine (1,6 HDI).
Good brakes with emergency brake assistance.
High level of security.
Slightly weak acceleration from standstill to highway speed (90 HP HDI)
Lots of reflections in the instruments.
High mileage is no problem, but then avoid the EMG automatic transmission.
2012 Citroën C4 1,6 HDi 90 HPAn Ami 8 Break – family car concept from the 70s.The station wagon version was perhaps more practical than beautiful.This Xantia taxi was previously often seen on local roads with an aging owner behind the wheel. It's not often you see such a nice Xantia.The C4 is a nice long-distance companion.Not as fancy dashboard as in the 60s and 70s.Detail from 2 CVs.
