There are many more pure spectators at the French gatherings than in Norway.
If you are on a trip abroad, it is natural to visit museums. But how often are you left with the impression that the visit was just expensive and boring?
If you are in France, there is a good chance that there is a car collection nearby. Gathering of vintage cars is organized throughout France in the same spirit as Cars & Coffee elsewhere in the world, where owners of old and/or special cars gather to show the donnings to each other, - and to the public. At French gatherings, the audience makes up a larger proportion than here. It is simply very popular.
In my region of France, Le Pyrenees-Orientales, a gathering is held on the first Sunday of every month at the port of Canet-en-Roussillon outside the city of Perpignan. I have been there several times, and recognize several of the cars. I simply can't take any pictures of the biggest curiosities, because of all the people standing around.
You can find the car collections advertised online. Search Google for "rassemblement" or "rasso" combined with "voitures" or "vehicules" - and a location, for example region. Example:
Few cars are as grateful to work on as the Ford Escort Mk1 - but there can easily be a lot of rust. It was also on this original copy.
USA-inspired lines on this Taunus XL Coupé from 1971-73.
The Volkswagen Golf GTI 16 S (16V) is a special edition made only for the French market. The 102 horse had been replaced with an Oettinger-trimmed engine of 160 horses.
Golf mk1 with (probably) foiled bonnet to create a special effect of patina.
Renault 4 is becoming more and more rare. These are ideal beetles for do-it-yourself mechanics. In France, there are still workshops with people who know these cars inside and out.
At the marinas in Canet-en-Roussillon there are also some extremely beautiful boats.
One of the world's most durable cars - and one of the best built in France. Peugeot 403 Familiale or Commerciale. I think this is a Familiale because of the blank moldings around the side windows.
The Peugeot 403 Familiale has a third row of seats. There was a lot of discussion about this car as to whether it was a Familiale or a Commerciale - because the third row of seats was not folded up. What do you think?
Citroën Type H, or HY, is the world's coolest van - perhaps after the VW T1. In any case, the prices have skyrocketed, and today they are difficult to get hold of.
It's not every day you see a Honda Z. This is a 360 – the displacement of the 2-cylinder, air-cooled engine. The Honda Z could also be had with the 600 engine we had in the Honda 600 here at home - the forerunner of the Honda Civic. And if you remember the Honda 600, the Z is just as small.
A Citroën Dyane with sunroof is a typical summer car. The upgraded 2CV was not as successful as the original. Since Méhari shares technology with Dyane, there is still a good supply of new parts.
No sixes in the Dyane 6, - but a 602 cc 2-cylinder engine with air cooling and umbrella gear.
A nodding dog is, of course, a completely natural extra on a nice bourgeois car like this.
The BMW 1600 GT took over the body shapes of Glas – the car brand that was acquired by BMW – and which previously made the Goggomobil microcars. BMW Glas is automotive history.
Audi R8 Type 1 with 4,2 liter V8 is beautiful. A classic.
FACTS
Organiser: Rassemblement Vehicules Anciens du 66
Meets on the first Sunday of each month from 09.00-12.00. New cars arrive all the time, but many leave the place around 11.00 to be out in good time for Sunday lunch.
Meeting place is Pôle Nautique, north of the harbor area in the coastal/holiday town of Canet-en-Roussillon, outside Perpignan. The center of Canet is only a few minutes away from the exhibition grounds by car. Along the beach avenue there is a continuous beach and many restaurants.
Free admission. If you arrive in an ordinary car, you will be directed to the public car park.
In the south of France at the foot of the Pyrenees, towards Spain, the cars do not rust. Unbelievable but true. Therefore, it is possible to find cars that have long since turned into "biscuits" at home. Many of France's folk cars, such as the Citroën 2CV and Renault 4, are still alive and in daily use.
One of my previous cars was a 1977 Renault 4L, 850 ccm with 34 horses - if I remember correctly. A fun, easy-to-drive and comfortable car where you could operate the steering wheel, turn signals and umbrella gear at the same time with one hand. Few cars in Oslo managed to get up to 50 km/h faster than me, but overtaking had to be planned well in advance.
I have been around the streets and roads of France's 66th district, Pyrénées-Orientales, and taken snapshots of Southern French youngtimers - cars that are not so common here at home. The pictures also show some of the surroundings in the villages in the region.
Citroën 2CV - promotional model - which has been around for a long time. Photographed in Maureillas-las-Illas.
Citroën 2 CV FourgonnetteCitroën Dyane in Collioure
Mini, South European version with conventional instrument panel.
Peugeot 304Peugeot 304
Rally cars
While I was out cycling in Amelie-les-Bains I came across rally cars on a transport stage in connection with the Rally Vallespir . The actual race stages were up in the mountains. I wouldn't have made it there by bike – not even on closed roads. Taking pictures of cars at speed is difficult. Here are some of the cars that were there.
From Rally Vallespir. The widened Peugeot 206 that moves briskly through the street scene.One of the newer entrants: the Renault Clio built for rallying.Bringing a Ford Focus straight off the grid, with a Renault Zoe on display in the background (Amélie-les-Bains).A local Saxo.
Some more common cars
'75-77 Renault 4L in usable condition - ran very well.Renault 6 phase I (68-73) left to its own devices next to a tired Citroën ZX.The Renault Express (late 80s) was somewhat popular here at home, but extremely popular in Southern Europe with as many as 1,7 million produced in the period 1985-91.Finally brings an Englishman on French 66 signs. Triumph TR4. The car on the right is a 2010-2011 Reanult Wind, which is actually quite rare in France as well.
