Gallic rarities go on show
Roadsters based on 2CVs wow the crowds at 3500-strong Paris classic-fest
’The main exhibition offered a wide spread of attractions’
More than 3500 classic owners descended on the Le Bourget Parc Des Expositions, on the outskirts of the French capital, to enjoy this always busy two-day show.
Stars at the event, now in its 18th year, included an incredibly rare 1950s lowered Dagonet 2CV, a 1970s’ wedged Marcadier Barzoi, a high-raise Dangle Peugeot 505 4x4 and an immaculate 1964 Studebaker Daytona Wagonaire, all of which were on show in the venue’s outdoor display areas. There were also countless rows of Citroën DSs, Renault 16s, Peugeot 205s, Fiat 500s, Minis, Volkswagen Beetles, and a notably big attendance of US classics.
For those visitors wishing to escape the Indian summer heat outside, the main exhibition inside offered a wide spread of attractions, with four themed areas – a celebration of French coachbuilders, special bodied Citroën Traction Avant-based roadsters, 50 years of the Ford RS, plus sporting Renaults – with a handful of cars once owned by the cult French rock and roll artist Johnny Hallyday thrown in for good measure, including his famous yellow and black Panther
De Ville and a selection of his also highly distinctive hot rods.
The French coachbuilders display included a mouth-watering array of Chapron-built specials, such as the ex-French presidential Peugeot 604 and Citroën SM Landaulettes, plus a variety of DS convertibles, a Renault Fregate Coupe, a one-off 1954 Hotchkiss Monceau saloon and a 1956 Salmson 2300 S cabriolet. An enormous 1938 Franay-bodied Packard Eight was also a pleasant surprise, as were a Facel Simca Aronde Plein Ciel and an imposing pair of Hispano-Suiza K6s.
The main themed display area was given over to seven special bodied Citroën Traction Avant roadsters, including a shortened body by Teisseries, a distinctive Renard et Bec interpretation, a Swiss Langenthal and the flamboyant De Clabot 11CV. Elsewhere a couple of other unusual Traction Avants, a wonderfully-named Splendilux Berline and a unique British-
modified Big 6 Break, built in 1960 using Vauxhall Victor Estate parts, caught much attention. Although Fords don’t quite enjoy the same cult following in France as they do this side of the Channel, a special exhibition of a dozen performance models, to mark the 50th anniversary since the first RS (a German-built Taunus 15M RS) was launched was very well received, including examples of the Capri RS2600, Escorts, Sierras and Fiestas. To satisfy local tastes, a quartet of sporting Renaults (a Dauphine 1093, R5 Alpine, American-specification Fuego and the Paris-Dakar rally-winning R20) also proved to be popular.
Among the many car clubs, highlights included a scarce Panhard Dyna Veritas, a Heuliez Renault 5 Le Car Van, a 1980s Duport Onyx microcar voiture sans
permis homage to the Citroën Mehari, a Christine 1958 Plymouth Fury, plus the 1955 Cadillac ‘bubble-top’ parade car used for the Belgian King Baudonin’ wedding to Fabiola Aragon during December 1960. Gary Axon