Even though the weather feels more like autumn than a truly warm spring, vintage car events have indeed resumed. It is always a pleasure for us to exchange and to meet vintage car enthusiasts. So, between two rays of sunshine, we went to meet them in our region by participating in two major events: the Montauban Vintage Festival and the Bouchon de Lavaur.

Montauban Vintage Festival: Celebration of the Popular Car

Vintage Car Gathering: A Must-See Event

At 1:30 am ofAuch, the prefecture of Tarn-et-Garonne made a leap in time over the weekend of April 20 to 21 last year. . The association Ça Monte en BasIs the initiator of the festival that transforms, for the duration of a weekend, the Lalaque square into a place of sharing and exchange centered on the life of yesteryear.

A varied and rich program awaited us: photocall, vintage rides, retro merchant village, Tour de France exhibition, dances, and concerts from the belle époque. An atmosphere that evokes childhood memories for Christian., or even memories of a bygone era more authentic for our mascot Roger.He also remembers breaking down near Montauban while driving his Citroën DS.

What would a vintage event be without its classic car gatheringThe highlight of the Montauban Vintage Festival took place on Sunday with the exhibition of vintage vehicles. Cars, motorcycles, and even tractors from all nationalities were present.

The French Popular Cars Festival

Wandering through these events is always a pleasure for the senses.. Our eyes no longer know where to look among the many popular cars present., our ears are soothed by the music of yesteryear and by the roaring engines. Our sense of smell is stimulated by the scents of oil and gasoline. and the enticing aromas of dishes from various food trucks. At ALEPOC, we are food enthusiasts. The exhibition was divided into several themes, with a central section reserved for car clubs. It was the perfect opportunity to rediscover the local clubs that play a crucial role in preserving automotive heritage. We were able to meet:

Magnificent vintage French cars were displayed in this area. We particularly appreciated the rare Renault 4 phase 1, which reminded us that of our stand at Epoquauto 2023, as well as the duo of Peugeot 504 Coupe and 504 Cabriolet phase 1 for which we recently published a review. We also came across a rare Renault 5 "Le Car" edition, which incorporates the features of the American version with its decals and side lights. Only 6,000 numbered units have been produced!

Another special crossover series: the beauty Citroën 2CV France 3, Launched in 1983 to support the crew of the eponymous boat participating in the America's Cup. With its unique Meije White hue and blue stripes, it charms us and awakens our desire for an immediate vacation.

Speaking of vacations, many have experienced the long and joyful journeys – or not – with family aboard the vintage family cars. A beautiful selection was present:

Genuine Proust's madeleines that evoke strong emotions. Roger, a lover of great Citroën, notably owned a Citroën DS and a Citroën CX in his garage.

Among the less common cars on our roads, we came across a magnificent Peugeot 203 Pick-up survivor. For adventure enthusiasts off the beaten path, we stopped in front of a rare Renault 6 4X4 Sinpar, less broadcasted than its younger sister, the Renault 4 Sinpar. There was also a Jeep CJ7 from the AMC era.Renault, then distributed by the diamond-shaped brand and powered by the 2.0L 85 hp gasoline engine from the Renault 18.

Motorsport was represented by small sports cars that made us dream in our youth: Renault 5 Alpine, Renault Dauphine 1093, , Simca Rally, so many names that resonate with enthusiasts of French sports cars.

We ended by admiring a superb duo. Peugeot 203 Coupé and Peugeot 203 Convertible. Both Simca Aronde Grand Large and Aronde P60 Monaco were also sumptuousrediscover the 18th gathering of SimcaIn the face of these wonders, we regret the disappearance of the diversity of car bodies in French automobiles.

A true feast for the eyes, crowned by a magnificent example of Citroën Traction Cabriolet came to celebrate the 90 years of the Traction.

 

Bouchon de Lavaur: A Retro Vacation Departure

Vintage Car Gathering in Tarn

After Montauban, head towards the Tarn, more than 120 km fromAuch to participate in the Bouchon de Lavaur. Organized for several years by Lavaur Initiatives, this event is a a must-attend event for classic car enthusiasts. At ALEPOC, we love jams - the recreations, not those on the Toulouse ring road, to be clear. Sure! The text ":)" is an emoticon representing a smile or a wink. It is not specific to any language, so it remains the same in English.Last year, we participated in the first traffic jam on the N9 in Clermont-l'Hérault and were delighted by the friendly atmosphere.

It is now Lavaur's turn to relive the atmosphere of the grand departures. where the people of Toulouse encountered difficulties in the city to reach the Mediterranean via the Route d'Agde. The meeting was scheduled for Sunday, May 25th. We may have forgotten our swimsuit and beach umbrella, but we did not forget our camera to capture this moment for you.

The day started with a large gathering of participants around the Lavaur town hall, the cathedral and the charming Bishop's Garden. Just like in Montauban, there was a market village with numerous vintage activities. We came across magnificent Renault Juva 4 Break and Pick-up, of the convertiblesPeugeot 304 and Renault CaravelThat pleasantly evoked summer. Some participants fully embraced the event by decorating their cars and dressing as they did during the era of great departures.

Special mention for the Citroën 2CV Van, loaded as if just leaving the market. We were also amazed by the Citroën DS Break, already rare, with its trailer and loaded roof rack, as well as by the Simca P60 Aronde Etoile carrying a moped and the Citroën AMI 8 loaded with luggage. Among the curiosities, a very rare one Citroën SM USA Export who left the land of Uncle Sam for the lands of Tarn. On the side of the former Peugeot, three models particularly caught our attention:

  • A superb Peugeot 504 Break Cycles Peugeot, often seen as assistance during cycling racesread the history of break Peugeot)
  • A magnificent Peugeot 404 coupe Pininfarina in a bright red worthy of the most beautiful Italian designs.
  • A rare Peugeot 203 coupe with spoked rims and white sidewalls.

The Departure of the Lavaur Cork

At 11:30 am, participants were invited to rev up their 2, 4, 6-cylinder engines for a drive through the most beautiful streets of Lavaur. In a concert of honking horns, sirens, and engine noises, the cars took off.. This event attracts sympathy, and the numerous spectators were sporting broad smiles.

In the narrow streets of Lavaur, The vehicles passed by each other with millimeter precision, and the exchanges energized the crowd and the participants.. We could see the nuns in their Citroën 2CV and the gendarmes in their Renault Estafette.

Suddenly, the sound of a starter echoed. The Peugeot 204 refused to restart. Although we did not take any spare parts for old French cars, the public fortunately rallied to help us, and the 4-cylinder engine eventually restarted. Unfortunately, this was not the case for a certain Peugeot 504 coupe, which leaked its coolant onto the road.

Indeed, a vacation trip in a vintage car requires preparation. Moreover, We have created a guide on our website to inspect certain mechanical parts. and avoid worries. To relive the atmosphere of this restaurant, check out our dedicated video. Good mood guaranteed !

ALEPOC: Close to Antique Car Collectors

It is always with pleasure and a passionate outlook that we participated in these two local events. They allowed us to meet those who keep the passion for classic popular cars alive. . Alépoc strongly recommends that you participate in the upcoming editions of the Montauban Vintage Festival and the Bouchon de Lavaur, true time travels for vintage car enthusiasts. Stay connected on our social media for Follow our upcoming events live.