My Favourite Road.

A car fan may spend lots of time in their garage, but to truly appreciate their car they need to hit the road too. I consider myself very lucky, as I have a super road not too far from my house.

The 'Departmental Road 6' runs from Blérancourt to Soissons, in the north of France, starting in the Oise department (equivalent of a small province or state) and finishing in the Aisne department. It is a lazy, meandering 2-lane country road that crosses through a dozen villages and towns along its 40 km path. A good part of the countryside is relatively flat farmers fields, though it rises up a first time to cross one plateau and then back down into the Aisne valley before climbing up over a second plateau and then going back down one more time at the city of Soissons.

While I rarely have any real reason to head that way, I'm not against taking a drive out that way just for fun. Any time I am looking to purchase a new car I make a point of testing it out on that road. With lots of good curves and hairpin turns and long straight stretches, it really is a great way to put a new ride to the test. When you're as much of a car geek as me, it's nice to have a road that you know very well when trying out a different car. It lets you get a feel for any differences or problems. And while one must always fall all rules and laws in the name of safety, a road like this can be rather entertaining.

Not only is the road itself enjoyable to drive, but the scenery is quite lovely. This time of year it is especially nice, as the yellow canola flowers in the fields really catch your eye. The small towns offer lots of traditional stone houses, some well maintained and others falling apart, to add to the visual enjoyment of the drive.

For those that consider driving a chore this may sound like crazy talk, but I think that most of the dedicated cars fans like me out there would understand, and probably have their own favourite road.

 

My Father Would Be Proud.

Turns out dad was right. I spent most of my teen years trying to win the GM versus Ford fight. I was on the GM side, a fan of cars like the Firebird, Fiero, and Corvette. My father was in the Ford camp, having owned a Mustang, Thunderbird, and F-150. My first Ford was a Tempo, which, as those who know it can imagine, didn't go far in swaying my opinion.

A few years back I caved again and bought a 2009 Ford Ka, more on price than anything else. I have been very happy with this car, and as a result will definitely consider Ford for my next purchase. If my dad were around I know that he would be happy, and certainly a bit smug.

And a photo of a Ford jump-starting a GM product? I guarantee you this photo would have made it onto the mantel above the fireplace.

 

I Love Lamp.

Another automotive-related garage sale find! This time it's something functional: a lamp. This headlight-shaped lamp caught my attention at the last garage sale I visited. From a distance I thought that it might be plastic, but it turns out that it is steel. I quite like the off-white finish and contrasting bright-red cord. And the lens is real glass, not a plastic copy.

I didn't particularly need a new lamp, but I obviously couldn't turn this down. Now I just have to find some automotive artwork to hang on the wall and light up with my new lamp!

 

European Hair Dryer.

After a very slow start to the summer, it has arrived and is in full swing. We have had several weeks of hot weather and, more importantly sunny days. What better way to enjoy it then pop the top on your Fiat 500 convertible! 

Not a full convertible, the original Fiat 500 still did offer a large opening canvas sunroof. In such a small car, it really opens up the cabin and gives the occupants the feeling of being right out there in the summer weather. And while the 500 was always a fun, nimble car to drive, it is not the fastest car out there, so the driver is encouraged to take the slow roads and enjoy the scenery.

The 500 is still a popular car in Europe, even though it has been out of production since 1975. Production started in 1957, and as there were over 3,800,000 units sold, it remains a fairly common sight. In my travels the 500 is certainly more common than the Beetle, though less common than the Mini. Even if it's not a rare car to see, it always turns my head. If you think that the current, modern Fiat 500 is small, you really need to see one parked next to the original. Only then can you appreciate how small this vintage car is!

If I was picking a little classic to bomb around the European countryside this summer, a 500 with the folding roof would definitely be near the top of the list.

 

Haunted by Trabant.

Just when I thought that I had forgotten about the little Trabant I was interested in, a friend stumbled across one and sent me some pictures, rekindling the desire for this tiny polymer-bodied Eastern-European wonder.

This particular 601 (the same model as the one I wrote about a few weeks back) was apparently on display in a D-Day beach museum on the Normandy coast in the north-east of France. A friend was thoughtful (or is that devious?) enough to grab a few shots, knowing full well that it would get me thinking about the one for sale near my house.

From what I can see this model is in very nice shape. While it would appear that the paint is missing some shine, this is the case with all Trabants. The rough finish of the low-tech polymer panels (a mix of resin and assorted scraps of old clothes and cotten, according to legend!) didn't lend itself to a smooth, mirror finish, even when the cars rolled off the assembly line decades ago.

As a bonus, I also was sent a picture of the specifications of the car, including engine type and displacement (2 cylinder, 596 cm3), power (26 horsepower), weight (680 kg)... and even the percentage of oil in the gas-oil mix for the 2-cycle engine (2%). This is the kind of data that a car guy loves.

It is a good thing that it is late right now, otherwise I don't know how I could have resisted calling to see if the local one is still looking for a new home...

 

My Inbox Overfloweth.

I think that my friends have me figured out. Not a week goes by that one doesn't send me a car-related picture. Sometimes it's a bright new sports car, sometimes it's a beautiful old collectible, and sometimes it's a beat-up rustbucket. Other times it is a shot of an old garage or gas station or advertisement. 

While it is not always easy to find time to blog about all of them, I always file them away in my automotive attic to pull out at a later date. Many of the pictures I get are from cars I don't know much about, so it is a great opportunity to do some research and learn more about other interesting vehicles.

 

Just a few of the pictures I received this week...

 

 

So feel free to send away! Who knows, maybe one of you will send along a picture of a car I have never even heard of, and will be able to add to my "Want" list...

 

How Useful.

The name 'utilitaire' is used in French to denote any type of utility vehicle, like a van or station wagon or small enclosed truck. The term comes from the word 'utile', which means 'useful', a fitting name for this type of vehicle. Some of these utilitaires are purpose-built to be used for contractors and professionals and businesses: large boxy vans with large hinged doors in the back and usually one or more side sliding doors. These are similar to big Express and Econoline vans used in North America.

Europeans also have smaller classes of utilitaires, sometimes these are specifically built for work use, but other times they are based on regular passenger vehicles. One example that is now available in North America is the Ford Transit Connect. Most versions only have seats in the front, and the rear is a large unfinished cargo space. Family versions also exist with seats in the back and carpeting and trim, basically a regular car for everday use.

But some take it further. Not content with this 'midsize' class of utilitaires, many European automakers have for years been converting, well, just about anything into a cargo-hauling machine! One of my favourites is the Peugeot 205 Multi. The 205 is a legendary small Peugeot 2-door hatchback from the 1980s and 1990s, and the Multi was a tiny utilitaire spin-off of the regular car. It added a taller roof and squared off rear hatch area that significantly increased not only the shape but the usefuleness of the cargo area. Some might question the point of such a small 'work' vehicle, but in small European cities where parking space is at a premium and fuel prices are high, it often makes sense for small businesses to have a small utilitaire.

This one I stumbled across the other day has seen better days, but at least we can tell that it was properly used as a work vehicle throughout its life, as intended. No one will say that it's an attractive design, but when it comes to utilitaires, it's all about how it works, not how it looks.

Looks like my 'Cars I Want' list just got a bit longer...!

 

Unfaithful.

 

I have a coworker who is unfaithful. Everyone knows it; she doesn't even try to hide it. It's so blatant that one can't help but see it. And I'm reminded of it every morning in the parking lot. Yes, she's that brash... in front of everyone, for all to see.

And the worst part? Her husband (another coworker) not only knows, but approves of it. He actually encourages it! This week I overheard him telling someone that he likes to help choose the objects of his wifes indiscretions, that he has come to know what she likes!

While I don't like to pry into peoples personal lives, I can't help but comment on this persons habits: she's an unfaithful car buyer. It all started around four years ago when a shiny white Nissan Qashqai crossover showed up in the parking lot. A tall, attractive vehicle, it really stood out in a sea of Renault and Peugeot and Citroen small cars that populated the parking lot.

Then about two years ago the Qashqai was no longer to be seen. It had been replaced by a newer, younger Kia Sportage. Still a crossover, still a midsize 5-door, still a diesel... it seemed that Mrs. had a 'type', but wasn't particularly faithful to one particular brand. Many people have a favourite brand, and when it's time to trade in their old car they go back to the same brand for their newest model. I asked the person in question and she said that, while she had been very happy with the Nissan, this new Kia had really caught her attention.

Two times doesn't make a pattern, so I had kind of forgotten about this until I saw Mrs. climb out of her newest vehicle the other day... this time, a brand new Chevrolet Captiva. Once again we could see that she definitely had a preference for roomy white 5-door crossovers...

My curiosity got the better of me; I had to ask. Had she had a bad experience with the Kia? Did it turn out to be a lemon? No, she had quite enjoyed it, but when it was time to swap, she just didn't feel a particular attraction to any specific brand, and fell for the handsome looks of the Captiva.

Perhaps being 'faihtful' to a brand is a thing of the past. I know that in my father's generation a young boy often had a favourite car, and tended to stick with that brand for life. In my father's case it was Ford, and so when it came time for me to pick my favourite brand, it was obvious: anything BUT Ford! I was a Pontiac fan from as earlier as I can remember. In that era, a Chrysler guy was a Chrysler guy. A Plymouth fan loved Plymouth for life. Someone who rooted for team Buick did so without fail.

I have owned many different brands in my lifetime, so I suppose I'm as unfaithful as my coworker. But I know that if I was looking for another brand new car, I would be inclined to stay with Ford, as I have been very satisfied with my current one. To each their own; people should drive what they like. But I am going to keep my eyes peeled over the next few years for any new shiny white 5-door crossovers in the parking lot, because I'm on to my coworker, and am curious to see where her wandering eyes will fall next time...

 

I Don't Deserve My Car.

I don't know if the equivalent of 'Child Services' for cars exists, but if they do, I should call them and turn myself in. My poor old car has been sitting for almost two months, alone and forgotten in the yard. Covered in dust, it even has cobwebs growing on it.

To be fair, I haven't been home much over the past little while, but I know that's just an excuse to make me feel better. I parked my 1983 Opel Corsa TR back in May and haven't touched it since. It may not be a collectors car, but the TR is quite rare. While 1980's Corsa hatchbacks are a dime a dozen here, my two-door model with a proper trunk was never sold in France. In fact, I have never even seen another one.

With the nice weather here I am excited to get get back to work. The most urgent task is to replace the master cylinder, as the last time I drove the Corsa the brakes were getting quite spongy, which is never a good sign! After that, the car really needs a good paint job. The faded brown paint has lost all shine, and not even a wax job can bring it back.

With luck I will be able to redeem myself, and my baby will forgive me for the months of neglect. I think I'll spring for a tank of high-octane gas if I can ever get her started! It's the least I can do, right? Though that might not be enough... maybe I can spring for one of those pine-tree air fresheners too...

Anti Aerodynamic.

 

Forget a sleek, air-cheating design, this Citroen Type H van ('fourgon') was the automotive equivalent of a brick wall. There was no question that the name of the game was utility with this corrugated steel vehicle.

Apparently the idea of these vans started during the Second World War, but it had to be designed in secret during the occupation of France. After the war the designs were quickly finalized, and the Type H would become the choice for many businesses and services (police, fire, ambulance) due to its very rugged and robust construction and huge interior volume. Almost 500,000 examples would be produced between 1948 and 1981.

Today you still occasionally seem them around, and quite often they are used as moving billboards, like this example I stumbled across the other day (with an ad for a café). The very strange design stands out next to all the other cars in the street, especially with the corrugated body panels. While it is understandable that today automotive designers aim to make vehicles as aerodynamic as possible so that they use less fuel, it is fun to see squared-off relics like this that are 100% function over form.

Didn't I say the other day that I was looking for a tiny ice cream van? Maybe I should think bigger...