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Journey in 1972, the era of carefreeness (part 1)
I am talking to you about a time that those under twenty years old have not known. A period of carefree living and liberation in a society focused on technical progress and the hope of a better life. That time is the year 1972. Our new mascot, Roger, has borrowed a comfortable Mercedes to travel back in time and take you on a journey to France 50 years ago. A journey that will remind some of their youth or childhood. For others, it will be an opportunity to dream of a period they have not experienced.
A France of entertainment in 1972
Consonant, vowel. Did you recognize it? At the beginning of 1972, the French discovered a new television game show called "Des chiffres et des lettres," which remains to this day the longest-running TV game show still being broadcast, but it is not enough to surpass the years of activity of Michel Drucker...
This beginning of the year also marks the presentation of a new car, which will be a success, the Renault 5. A revolutionary car for the manufacturer whose history you can find here
During this period of the Trente Glorieuses, the French are consuming more and more entertainment. Movie theaters are thriving, with the anticipation and science fiction film topping the box office that year. A Clockwork Orange which totals 7,602,396 entries. A cult film that still ranks in the top 10 American science fiction films. The French comedy The Madmen of the Stadium is in second place, but Roger prefers the French-Italian film, the Last Tango in Paris, who completes the podium. The viewers also discover the film The Godfather, the highly celebrated film that will propel Al Pacino's career and perhaps that of black Cadillacs.
The world of cinema mourns the death of actor Pierre Brasseur, father of Claude Brasseur But without knowing it, the year 1972 is also prolific for the birth of future movie stars such as Vanessa Paradis, Gilles Lellouche, Barbara Schulz, and Jean Dujardin, who would become the first Frenchman to receive the Oscar for Best Actor in 2012. A great gift for his 40th birthday !
On transistor radios, the sweet voice of Véronique Sanson can be heard with her debut album. In love that will propel her career. Music lovers also need love with the first song Les gens ont besoin d'amour the young group ABBA. The lucky drivers who have a car radio (3 million, or 1 in 4) can hear, in the already crowded streets of the capital, C. Jerome singing with Kiss me ! which song will be the most listened to on the Hit Parade. On the podium steps, we find the very well-known song Popcorn Hot Butter and the latest hit by Michel Polnareff with Vacations. New artists who are not quite to Roger's liking, as he prefers the unique voices of Tino Rossi and Luis Mariano.
The music world mourns the passing of Maurice Chevalier, a great music hall artist during the Roaring Twenties. Boby Lapointe also bids farewell, leaving behind his songs with a unique style, notably featuring spoonerisms: "Il boude au lieu de chanter" ("He sulks instead of singing").
In 1972, people sing, dance, laugh, and look towards the future with numerous technological advancements.
Technological progress in 1972
France launches the first Airbus in history into the air, theA300 which will make its inaugural flight in Toulouse October 28th. An industrial saga is launched, similar to the one on the rail with the TGV 001 prototype, which will undergo numerous experimental tests throughout the year, leading to the commissioning of the TGV 9 years later. Many speed records are set, with a peak reaching 318 km/h on December 8th.
The world also progresses with the first public presentation of theARPANET, the ancestor of the Internet. Did they know that one day they could order parts for their vintage cars directly on the Internet ?
The world is once again focused on the sky and particularly the Moon with the two missions, Apollo 16 and Apollo 17, who will lead the last men on our natural satellite.
At his own level, Roger is fascinated by his uncle and aunt who moved to live the American dream in Florida as housekeepers. A culture very different from his native Gers, but in 1972, he can almost grasp it when his family arrives from the United States with a typically American style and car. They look proud with their colorful clothes, hairstyles worthy of Hollywood stars and their Plymouth Valiant. This large American car proudly displays its chrome and aviation-style wings. A true UFO on the departmental roads of Gers with its numerous comfort options worthy of science fiction. Air conditioning, automatic transmission, power windows, and power steering. Our small French cars seem from another era.
1972, the year of Renault 5 and Peugeot 104
A space conquest that fascinates and inspires dreams. With stars in our eyes, we also find them in the showrooms of our national manufacturers who are presenting new versions of their already marketed models. We note the introduction of injection on the SM, increasing the power to 178 hp, and an engine modification also for the Citroën DS, which becomes the DS 23 with its 4-cylinder engine of 2,347 cm3 producing 115 hp. At the Sochaux competitor, they are presenting the brand new 104 at the Paris Motor Show. With its 3.58 m length, it is the smallest four-door sedan on the market. A car that will give rise to the Talbot Samba and to the Citroën LN. Peugeot also offers a power increase (+9.5 hp) on its 304 range with the S versions. On the Renault side, the teams are busy launching with great fanfare the new R5, but they do not forget the rest of the range with the appearance of the luxury version of the R12, TS and the new Rodéo 6 designed and manufactured by ACL. It expands the Rodéo range upwards by adopting the 1108 cm3 Cléon engine from the Renault 6.
Roger doesn't know where to turn anymore, but the line and innovations of the Super Maserati eyeing him, like the Gendarmerie's BRI. He eventually set his sights on a second-hand DS 21. It's the first recent car he bought, but it's very innovative with its Bosch electronic fuel injection allowing for better performance. In this vintage photo, the DS proudly displays a Carrefour sticker on its rear window. Yes, the year 1972 marks the appearance of the Carrefour Portet, in the suburbs of Toulouse, which will be the largest French store of the brand until 2008. Quite an event for a company discovering the consumer society.
Fashion in 1972
Cars are increasingly adopting plastic and the pop colors and vibrant earth, like the new R5, which proudly displays its plastic bumpers. A trend that spreads to all sectors during the 1970s. The interiors of homes and clothing are adorned with orange, purple, red, brown, mustard, and original prints make their entrance. Oriental, floral, or psychedelic patterns, all tastes are allowed (not necessarily the good ones) and reflect the hippie spirit and new freedoms. Patterns that are found on walls with wallpaper or on printed t-shirts, a very American revolution.
Morals are loosening, and fashion is taking a new turn. Fashion reflects peaceful inclinations and disco trends. Bell-bottom pants are alongside new types of skirts. The wrap dress is created by the fashion designer Diane Von Fürstenberg that suits all body types. Men are daring new trends with tight-fitting faux leather pants and mismatched sweaters that would not look out of place today in an ugly Christmas sweater contest. The famous designer Cristobal Balenciaga disappears That year.
Roger went to explore this new trend in the vast aisles of Carrefour Portet. A hypermarket so vast that one can get lost for a moment.
Discover the rest of the story here -->
Published on
21-09-2022