CC has seen photographs from this show in previous years before, both as a photo report and and as illustrations in various posts. But this year, the account will be slightly different, as we were able to participate with the 1996 Alfa Romeo Spider Twin Spark, as part of a summer holiday journey though France. Reportedly, 1200 cars and over 8000 visitors, though no one seemed to be counting or recording anything or anyone. Let’s take a gentle walk around and spot some of the highlights and my favourites, in no particular order.
First, because it was the first photo I took, my Spider, which happened to be alongside a Alfetta GTV. Purely coincidental…
The Peugeot 404 gets a lot of respect here on CC, quite rightly.
This coupe shows Pininfarina’s skills off well too.
Measured anecdotally, the Simca Aronde in its various guises is a popular French classic. Does the usual rule of affordability and relative simplicity apply?
This two tone looks a bit aftermarket but sort of works.
A Plein Ceil (clear skies is perhaps the best translation in this context) sports derivative of the Aronde.
The open top version of the Plein Air was the Oceane – a sort of Sunbeam Alpine for France.
I have said before, only slightly tongue in cheek, that a British car show is not legally complete without a Morris Minor. My impression from this show is that, perhaps because the show was organised by the local Peugeot club, was that the Peugeot 203 (1948-1960) fulfils that role in France. Saloon or convertible? To help your decision, it was 37 deg C.
The car’s North American derived styling is apparent. Still works for me though and, I suspect you too.
And with a 404 for company. But what’s hiding behind the 203?
A Matra-Simca Bagheera, a sports car built by Matra using a mid mounted Simca 1100 (Simca 1204) drivetrain and with three seats abreast.
Pretty striking from the rear too. A French take on the Triumph TR7 or Fiat X1/9 if you like.
Of course, the Citroen DS was represented, several times over, as it should be.
That shape will never lose its appeal, or its ability to remind us how this car, for all its advances, abilities and achievements, was introduced whilst Winston Churchill was Britain’s Prime Minister and before Charles De Gaulle was President of France.
These cars are all 1968 on Series 3 with the revised nose and headlights.
Never matched in its lifetime – discuss?
Look closely at this one though – a two door coupe. I’m hoping someone in the CC Commentariat will be able to tell me more.
Was this my favourite Citroen of the show? Very likely – this SM looked absolutely stunning in (unusual) bright red and the southern French sun light.
SM stood for “Sports Maserati”, as that was where the engine came from. My favourite six cylinder car of the 1970s? Very probably.
The Traction Avant alongside the SM was one of many.
I’ll defer to the CC Commentariat to spot the most special, though most appear to be post war to me.
And don’t forget to look in the background – there were some fascinating cars there, some of which will pop up in future posts.
There was a good selection of less exceptional but still interesting cars too.
A Renault 12 – once a regular sight but not now.
Is the Citroen Ami photobombing the 12? Behind a row of Renault Estafette vans?
Here’s the Citroen in all its own glory. Still ugly, though.
Most definitely not ugly is the Renault 17 – perhaps my favourite saloon to coupe of the 1970s.
Those rear grilles paired with frameless windows and a 1970s masterpiece of an interior are enough for me to be tempted…
A Simca 1100 (1204 in North America) with French hot rod supplementary yellow lamps. Up there with cold white wine and fish pate for me, somehow….
And the Renault that was supposed to beat it – the 14, nicknamed la poire (the pear). The advertising linked the shape to the fruit, the name of which is also French slang for gullible…..shakes head….
An early 2CV. How early? Someone will know.
Not the most indulgent car of the car by any means.
A 1976-80 Ford Taunus, the first Taunus completely twinned with the UK market Cortina, and built on the platform of the 1970 visually different Cortina and Taunus.
This is a 1.6litre Ghia, a specification not offered in the UK. Ghia was reserved for the 2.0 litre, and few let their neighbours and colleagues forget it.
A Peugoet 204, one of several, as well as the later, 204 derived, 304. This was France’s best seller in the mod-late 1960s, deservedly.
You may consider the styling a bit dull, understated or even dumpy. There was little else to object to.
A later attempt at a similar spot in the market – a Talbot Solara, the saloon derivative of the Simca 307/1308/Chrysler Alpine hatchback. Few remain anywhere.
Outside marque loyalists, few have much recollection either. And please, as Tatra87 has said before on CC, don’t confuse this Talbot with the original one.
There were many stars at this show, some of which will be coming in Part 2 soon and some in their own posts. And how did the Alfa do?
We did 2000 miles in France, all bar the first day with the roof down, travelling from the Channel Tunnel at Calais, round Le Mans to the south west, then across to Tournus in Burgundy, and back home through Troyes in the Champagne region and the Somme (and a British Commonwealth War Grave Commission memorial) with no mishaps beyond a blown fuse. Does every car have the interior accessory power socket and brake lights on the same 20 amp fuse? Anyone else driven 300 miles from western France to eastern France with no brake lights and not realised it?
And in 2000 miles, we didn’t see one other Alfa Romeo GTV or Spider (Tipo 916)!
Great pictures, Roger, and I’m envious of your vacation. You’re living the life for sure, and I’m glad that I’m not the only one who stops for car shows on a trip. I’d gladly own at least 75% of these cars.
The R12 always made me think it was designed as a wagon first, and the sedan derived by way of two flourishing sword cuts to the back of a quarter-scale clay model. The Simca 1200 and Peugeot 504 have similar droop-butted deck lids.
The Solara’s interesting in that a Horizon 3-box sedan was mocked up if not prototyped but they went with basing it on the older Alpine instead. I suppose it was felt that in Europe it was more important to compete for the Taunus/Cortina/Ascona market than to have a C-segment sedan while in America it’d be too close to the forthcoming K-car.
Lots to savor. I’ve got a thing for the Ami. And a few others too…
Strange that the name of the Simca coupé is «Plein ciel».(clear sky) It seems more appropriate on the convertible version (called «Oceane».)🤔
Wow ~ I love Peugeot 404’s, that convertible is stunning .
I like the 203’s too, I can’t believe I didn’t buy the 203 Sedan I ran across in Burbank, Ca. a few years ago, it was unrestored and ready to be loved back into daily driver & auto touring service .
The Citroen 2-CV is an early AZ model .
THANK YOU for all these grat pictures, I’m grooving on the back ground cars too .
-Nate
I had my C5 at a Citroen garage last week for a AC regas and as usual the other cars that wash up there are a show for free 2.3 DS 5 speed, BX 16 valve, Maserati something with no engine, a TA, plus some modern Citroens US readers dont get to see even a MK3 C5 break with 3.0 turbo diesel I’d buy in a heartbeat though when I’m car shopping are never for sale, Those Aronde/Etoile Simcas are getting very thin on the ground here now, yet another brand swallowed by PSA from Chryslers mess they made in Europe the first time round, the second time round PSA/Stellantis took the whole brand plus GM Europe for good measure now we buy Opels at the Peugeot/Citroen shop.
Very troubled that you would call the Ami ugly – I prefer to think of them as having an unconventional beauty! Certainly there’s nothing quite like them…
An SM in the flesh is always a magnificent sight. Few cars with such presence and charisma.
And I agree with you about the Simca – in a line up of exquisitely French vehicles, the Simca is perhaps as unapologetically and unselfconsciously French as they get. My dad had a 1501 estate and while not fully reliable, it was very characterful car.
I recently watched the movie “The Day Of The Jackal”. It was from maybe 1973 or so and was mostly filmed on location in France. My time at CC had me far more able to appreciate the French streetscape of that time than when I had seen the movie at a young age.
I have no idea on your fuse question. I can only imagine some Italian engineer asking “Stopping while using accessories plugged into the power port? Why would anyone want to stop an Alfa Romeo?” 🙂
The 404 Coupe is very beautiful
Great photos Roger – I have a growing appreciation for the 404 Coupe every time I see one.
The 404 Coupe is -almost- beautiful enough to make me choose one over a Bakkie .
-Nate
Is the two-door hardtop Citroen perhaps the work of Carrosserie Chapron? It is a beauty. But then the Citroen the Citroen DS, ID ans Pallas are always great to see. Thanks for the tour.
Renault Alpine A110 for me please.
A feast for the eyes, Roger-san!
As you know, I attended a car show in that area over the summer as well, but I’ve yet to make it into a post (probably two posts, come to the think of it.) Some similarities are to be expected: there were also a lot of old Simcas where I was. And an Ami 6 and the obligatory 203s. But Tractions were strangely absent, though I may not have seen everything. Incidentally, those are late-model (big boot + wipers at the base of the windshield, so 1952-57) 11CVs you photographed there.
Interesting you went by Tournus, the home of Gabriel Voisin. I lived there for a year when i was a boy and remember it pretty well — charming little town.
I’m a Citroen guy usually, but that 404 coupé is just a peach. Looking forward to the upcoming posts on some of the extras in the background…
Thanks for the Traction clarification.
Our hosts in Tournus mentioned Voisin. I’ve recently been reading a biography of Andre Lefebvre and of course Gabriel Voisin gets a mention or 2 in there…
Some really cool looking cars there. Thanks for the great article and pics.