Yesterday and this Sunday, at the exhibition center, more than 10,000 enthusiasts are expected at the wheel of their vintage cars, in the aisles also to discover racing cars.
Started yesterday, the sixth edition of the Auto-moto retro show highlights the historic cars that have animated many rallies. Clubs and collectors have therefore responded to the invitation of Alain Boyer and his organizing team to exhibit part of their collection. The members of Nîmes auto retro chose for their part a Panhard (the 24 BT), a brand which won the Monte Carlo fifty years ago.
The president of the club, Philippe Gey, has become a loyal supporter of this meeting place for car enthusiasts. Former driver on the Tour of Senegal driving a Renault R16 TS, he readily evokes the golden age of rallies in the 1970s and 1980s, more generally this nostalgia for historic vehicles: “ When we start to be in our fifties, we put aside a little, the children are gone, and we then buy the car we dreamed of being younger. It’s reminiscent of childhood, when you remember family trips in the backseat of the DS. “
Some have chosen to go even further in their passion for car rallying, like Jean-Paul Bonnecaze. The latter provides reports during rallies in the region and provides them free of charge, on digital media, to licensees of the French Motorsport Federation: “The pilots, co-pilots, but also those who raced, the marshals, the mechanics, all those who do the rallies.”
R8 from the 1960s at still affordable prices
He embarked on a five-year adventure to publish a precious book on the Critérium des Cévennes with photos, given by year, list of those who took part. The former co-organizer of this renowned event continues to follow any automobile event.
These enthusiasts do not cool those who intend to acquire later an exceptional car: “ It is necessarily more expensive depending on the type of vehicle “, points out Philippe Gey. However, the latter ensures: “ The R8s from the 1960s are affordable. It is more expensive for the R8 Gordini or Berlinette Alpine. The maintenance is not more complicated than another historic vehicle even if there may be the constraint of the federation to pose for example a roll bar in the event of participation in an event. We can have fun around the 10 000 €. ” Jean-Paul Bonnecaze even emphasizes that it is an investment “ because the old vehicle over the years can increase in value “. Notice to amateurs.
The illustrious pilot Bruno Sabyen dedication
Available, smiling and warm, the illustrious rally driver Bruno Saby (our edition of November 26) was happy to sign photos and books this Saturday at the exhibition center. He also took the opportunity to present the association he sponsors: Espoir cancer. The public can also make a donation during the show. “It is important to be there to talk about the automobile, which is becoming increasingly rare today”, underlined the former winner of the Paris Dakar. Bruno Saby will also be present this Sunday for new signings with a smile.
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