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Aug
08
A hot summer day in 2014. Heading towards the Nürburgring for the annual Oldtimer Grand Prix, we decided to stop at a rest area to buy refreshments. The petrol station was filled to the brim with travelers, their (mostly humdrum) cars, and a couple of trucks for good measure. But there is always a nugget to be found somewhere, if you just look hard enough. Actually, we didn’t really have to look hard, because the nugget occupied one of the prime spots. The owner and his friend just wanted to leave, but happily stopped and agreed to answer some questions and let me take a few pictures. Thank you, guys!
Jun
15
In the 1960’s the internet wasn’t invented yet and only a few people had a black and white TV. Apart from advertising in newspapers and cinemas, companies had to come up with different ideas to get the attention of potential customers. In France, many companies ordered special re-bodied vehicles from coach builders to gain attention at events like the Tour de France and the 24 Heures du Mans. These vehicles drove along the circuit before the races began. Concerning the Tour de France, the tradition lives on even today, but unfortunately most vehicles are not purpose-built solely for advertising duty any more.
Sep
07
Discovering a defunct service station displaying a sign saying Station Ouverte was already weird in its’ own right. The place looked like it had been left in a hurry and the proprietors haven’t returned since. Being the kind of person who is always keen to figure out what might have happened, I walked around the building and found… the carcass of a little vehicle the French call La Deuche.
Jun
01
A field with fading beauties from various countries in southern France. So far, vehicles from Germany, Italy and the UK have been featured here on Drive-by Snapshots. But this little series of posts couldn’t be complete without the French, or could it? Non monsieur! Pas du tout!
OK then, we’ll start this post with the colors of the French flag: bleu, blanc et rouge. Fun fact: you can see the Italian colors in the background (with a little help from a gentle Brit).
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May
23
Deux Deuches Custom: A pair of Citroën 2CV at the beach in Cap de l’Homy – modified beautifully in the typical and tasteful French customizing style. The best paintjobs I have ever seen on a 2CV, absolutely spotless! On the red/pink 2CV I especially like the widened fenders that are integrated nicely into the flipfront. The deep dish steelies are a great touch as well.
May
23
Worldwide the Citroën 2CV unites many enthusiasts. There are plenty of clubs and interest groups. They even organize huge meetings each year, one of which I visited in 2009 in Lit-et-Mixe while being on a surfing holiday nearby. But wait… the 2Cv has a sister even most Citroën enthusiasts describe as being rather… ugly.
May
23
At first glance this might be a vintage something-or-another. And even at the second and third glance most people will still be fooled. If you look closely, you might spot a few hints here and there: three lug wheels and familiar headlights. But only if you open the hood does it dawn on you, that this might not be that vintage at all. This vehicle was actually built in 2007! The base is a classic Citroën 2CV, that has been extensively modified by the Burton Car Company in the Netherlands. This is the most elegant 2CV conversion ever, in my opinion. I just love the attention to detail and the tasty color combination. Well done, guys!
May
31
Todays post is something for classic car fans who love challenges. I found this French hot rod with a mock-up concrete mixer on the back in rural France back in 2007. Ever since then, I’ve been wondering what the hell this is actually based on.
