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 in Europe has consisted of, among others, the English Rootes and the French Simca. This model, designed in the USA and produced in France, was marketed as the Chrysler 160, Chrylser 180 and Chrysler 2 litre. Not very exciting names. The cars lacked identity and were almost unsellable in Norway despite active marketing. It sold poorly in its mother countries France and Great Britain, too. When I look at this nice renovated model, I am surprised that it did not do better.

 

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 spacious, especially the 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 coped with the African roads better than these Peugeots.

 

4 doors and 4 meters long car. The sequel to the Dauphine got sharper and tougher lines. The Renault 8 was popular in motorsport, although I don't remember seeing very many here in Norway. The Simca 1000, on the other hand, was 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 realized how good the Renault 8 really is for hobbyists. Today it is high on my wish list.

 

I think it cost from about 30 kroner when it came out 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 cc 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?

 

Citroen had intended the Dyane to be the successor to the 2CV. Dyane 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.

 

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 transportation. Note the special roof rack. (Céret)

 

Although they were extremely popular, it's becoming increasingly rare to see a Renault 4 in good running 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.

 

Another car that was never imported to 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, but for many they are practical and unfussy cars in fresh colors. They are relatively easy restoration objects. Even the plastic can supposedly be replaced.