At ALEPOC, we recently returned from our break. No pens or backpacks for this year, but a return marked by classic cars. Take out your car and Michelin map for an overview of some Automotive events in the Southwest.

The crossing of Bordeaux by car

The first stop of our road trip, Bordeaux. This city, rich in history with traces dating back to the 3rd century BCE, is the birthplace of the famous designer Paul Bracq, who ended his career at Peugeot. Cars are not left behind with well-kept gems. At the beginning of this September, theAtlantic OldTimer Association, who is used to organizing a monthly gathering at the Darwin Eco-system, hosted a weekend of festivities with vintage vehicles with the 19th crossing of Bordeaux. An enticing program for participants with the discovery of the city's rich heritage behind the wheel of their vintage cars. One wouldn't say no to a stop at a Bordeaux wine cellar!

On Sunday, the famous Quinconces Square and its monument, in memory of the Girondins who were victims of the Terror, had been transformed into an open-air salon. The numerous participants and exhibitors were present under a radiant sun.  A dream setting to discover our popular French models. The sports cars were out with a beautiful CX GTI Turbo 2, a Renault R8 Gordini ready to fight and a beautiful Alpine GTA. Around the corner of an alley, it was possible to admire a singular 505 XRD Dangel ready to bite the dust of the deserts. If you don't really like rallying and prefer moving, there was a very beautiful example of Peugeot D3. He never had the popularity of the Renault Estafette or the Citroën HY, so it’s quite rare to encounter one.

Finally, the highlight of this event was the concours d'élégance, which allowed attendees to admire numerous cars, each with its own unique history. One of them is one of the 159 examples of Panhard CD derived from the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This amazing car, designed by Charles Deutsch, was able to reach 180 km/h despite its two-cylinder engine, thanks to its record-breaking drag coefficient of 0.19.  On the opposite side, a monumental Lincoln V12 left a lasting impression on us. Manufactured in only twelve units, it was intended for presidents and kings. Its distinctive feature is its twelve-cylinder engine that idles at 450 rpm, allowing for a silent operation worthy of an electric car. We haven't invented anything new!

After such a show, it was time to head back on the national road 124. We couldn't resist bringing back a case of wine for our mascot... good old Roger!

Oh Toulouse, how beautiful your old cars are!

Next stop on our overview tour is a city that was also built around the Garonne, the beautiful pink city of Toulouse. The legendary disagreements between people from Bordeaux and Toulouse, often under the guise of a Top 14 rugby match, haven't come along in our baggage. We've simply come to enjoy a good cassoulet, but also the 5th...Auto Moto Classic Show which takes place at the new exhibition park. The program includes more than 150 exhibitors, over 500 vehicles on display, and especially a parking area for visitors with vintage cars, offering a spectacular sight. The festivities revolved around cars that played leading roles in cinema, shiny American models, as well as beautiful Italian cars with The Fairy-rare event.

Inside, there was a retrospective on the 60 years of the Berlinette next to the latest A110 of the Gendarmerie. We prefer to see it here than in the rearview mirror. The lion was well represented with the 504, 203, and 403 clubs, as well as the 104 for the 50th anniversary of the smallest 4-door car of its time. Over at Citroën, a magnificent stand was present with the 1922 Scarabée d'or half-track, which was the first motorized vehicle to cross the Sahara in only six days. There was also a 2CV 007, a very beautiful CX Turbo, and a DS 21 rally car that won the Morocco Rally in 1969.

Magnificent collectible pieces were present, including numerous Talbots as well as the iconic Mercedes 300 SL next to a Porsche 904. Outside, a parade of vintage cars from all nationalities took place. A feast for the eyes, which we let you enjoy below.

An always pleasant event that continues to grow year after year.

Aveyron in vintage cars

Third stage of our road trip, heading to the land of Aligot with the 35th Requista meeting. This small village in Aveyron, overlooking the Ségala, experiences a weekend dedicated to vintage. On the agenda are a flea market and a gathering of classic cars. It's the perfect place to find a Christmas gift for your mother-in-law!

On Sunday morning, on the esplanade above the town hall, about a hundred cars gathered before setting off for a 50 km drive to explore the scenic roads. A fine lineup was present, mostly represented by our beautiful French cars. Simca, , Peugeot, , Renault, , Citroën and Panhard, they are all there. From the magnificent 203 Familiale to the elegant 404 convertible Peugeot and cut 504 (read Peugeot 504 coupé: the commoner in an evening dress) including a rare Caravelle coupe that was restored 20 years ago and hasn't been converted into a convertible like the majority of its contemporaries. A beautiful A110 1600 S was present next to a radiant orange-yellow 2CV. A friendly and relaxed atmosphere that is the strength of these local gatherings.

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Aveyron still with a gathering organized for the Heritage Days, at The Monastery, on Sunday, September 18th. An opportunity to discover many beautiful French cars, including magnificent 2CVs in showroom condition and a Very beautiful Matra 530. By the way, did you know that its name was taken from the R530 air-to-air missile produced by Matra's armament branch? A real bomb that we let you appreciate in images.

The World of Cars in Gers

Fourth and final stop in our beautiful Gers department. For this return home, head to the Samatan Auto World. This event, created in the late 1990s, celebrates automobiles in all their forms. Under the fat and poultry market halls, the latest innovations from local dealerships are showcased. Outside, the festivities are in full swing with food trucks, concerts, vintage car exhibitions, and rides benefiting the cancer league. All the elements are in place to enjoy an exciting time under a radiant sun.

Outside, Alpines of all shapes and forms had come:  A110, A310, A610, and R5 AlpineRead "50 Years of the R5: It Doesn't Lack Air"Make your choice for your Christmas list. If you prefer popular ones, there's a beautiful 2CV in Charleston style that was on display for the first time after two months of intense restoration. Also popular is an uncommon Trabant that escaped from the former GDR. It's surprising to come across one in the Gers next to another popular German car, the Golf in its GTi version. Even more surprising, we had a visit from Mexico with one of the very last examples of the Vocho, the local Beetle. It's incredible to see the 21,529,092nd example out of 21,529,464 built in 2003. We suddenly had a craving for tacos.

A well-deserved taco after these hundreds of kilometers of this overview tour with numerous meetings and discoveries. It was time for the ALEPOC team to rest the Connecting rods and pistons. Just enough time to recover before heading off to new adventures.