Even though the Southwest lacks impressive museums dedicated to classic cars, the region remains an ideal setting for Automotive events thanks to its climate, its historic sites, and a community of enthusiasts who keep these beautiful machines running.

This year, ALEPOC attended three major events to meet with you. Pull the choke, settle in comfortably behind the wheel, and set off to explore the Tarn, Haute-Garonne, and Aquitaine at your own pace classic cars.

 

26th Classic Car Show in Villemur-sur-Tarn

Located on the border between the Tarn and Tarn-et-Garonne departments, Villemur-sur-Tarn is a charming little town steeped in a rich industrial history, shaped by the river that runs through it. Its former Brusson pasta factory, with its structure designed by Eiffel, stands as an iconic testament to this history.

For many years, the members of the association Passion for Mechanics are organizing a large gathering in the Bernadou Park, featuring nearly 600 vehicles of all ages and origins.

In this beautiful, shaded setting, there’s always something new to discover…

Meeting with the Albigeois Young Team

As we passed by a beautiful Talbot Samba Rallye, we met a warm-hearted gentleman whose lilting Southern accent instantly put us in a good mood. Daniel Donadille, founding president of the Young Team from Albi, introduces us to his club dedicated to youngtimers—as the name suggests. Active at numerous events, the club also organizes dynamic road trips.

There’s a friendly, laid-back atmosphere within this team, which didn’t hesitate to invite us to share an aperitif: the Southern tradition is alive and well !

Some members were there with beautiful French women of the time, such as a Renault Fuego Turbo bright red or one Renault 5 Alpine Turbo full of charm.

Beautiful French cars

As at every gathering, there’s no shortage of French classics: from Renault, , Peugeot, , Citroën and Simca. Here is a selection of the gems we've found for you.

The summery atmosphere makes you want to head to the coast behind the wheel of this magnificent Renault JP4. Produced by CAR System using Renault The JP4 is a used recreational vehicle available in three versions. Here is the JP4 “Nœud papillon,” which retains its original body, shortened by 27 cm, with polyester fender extensions.

Vacation's over: back to work! And what could be better than some beautiful vintage utility vehicles? Our eyes were immediately drawn to a beautiful Peugeot 203 pickup trucks two-tone, a Simca 1,100 pickup trucks or even two Renault Estafette Phase 2, identifiable by their license plates mounted on the bumper. One of them was an authentic model "Alouette" of the Gendarmerie, with its windows and eight seats. To prevent police officers from breaking down while on duty, it is best to replace the mechanical parts with our replacement parts for Renault Relay.

If you like the practicality but are looking for a smoother ride, you might want to opt for a rare Matra Rancho or a beautiful Simca 1500 station wagon green, unless the ingenious tailgate of the Renault 16 — and its little sister, the R6 — is your favorite.

The little bombs were well represented, with Simca 1000 Rally 1, Rally 2, and Rally 3. That adds up! Check out our spare parts for Simca 1000.

A magnificent Renault 5 Turbo 2 Iridescent Brown had made the trip, as had a rare R12 Gordini and an R17 in the same tuner’s colors.

On the other end of the spectrum, we came across the first Renault Douvrin diesel motorboat: the Renault 20 GTD. Initially offered as a naturally aspirated model, it was equipped with a turbocharger in 1983, featuring an 85-horsepower 2,068-cc engine.

We’ll let you explore other popular spots through photos as our journey takes us to Albi.

 

Albi Auto Classic 2025


The second edition of this new event, which celebrates motorsport on the historic Albi circuit, took place from May 31 to June 1.
The program looked promising: a classic car show, a sightseeing tour, a classic car drive, a parade around the track, and a festive cocktail reception in the pit lane.
That was all it took to go out, for the first time, our Renault 12 Gordini in track mode, which has become ALEPOC’s signature feature. We’ll tell you more about it very soon.

 

Classic cars in Albi


When you think of a circuit, you think of classic sports cars competing in the tournament. Renault 8 Gordini and Simca 1,000 Rallye cars were there, as was a stunning Renault 5 Alpine Coupe in configuration Gr.2. It was an exact copy of the Calberson livery the one that made a name for itself in rallying under the driving of Jean Ragnotti and Guy Fréquelin.

The visitor parking lot for classic cars also had its share of surprises, featuring some beautiful coupes Peugeot 504 in Series 1 and Series 2. Absolutely wonderful !

We also fell in love with a rare Peugeot 505 Turbo Injection. It was this model that enabled Peugeot to refresh its image before the arrival of the legendary 205 (Read "40 Years of the" Peugeot 205). To give this traditional sedan some character, the engineers reworked the engine Simca-A 2,155 cc Talbot engine with overhead camshafts, renowned for its durability in handling the increased performance. Engine development was entrusted to Porsche’s engineering department, and the chassis to Danielson. The result: Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection, a Garrett T3 turbocharger, 150 hp, and a top speed of 200 km/h.

In that warm light, the shade could be compared to Orange Ténéré of a Citroën 2CV in the Orange Acropolis of an Alpine A310. Which one do you prefer ?
The sun also made the convertibles shine: an elegant Peugeot 404 convertible sky blue, but also an incredible Peugeot 402 Darl’Mat Special Sport Roadster, the same color as the sky. Having these two icons side by side in your garage… that must be something !

A little Renault 4CV convertible could easily steal the show, given how rare this chic version has become. In its Vert Ondine shade, it’s impossible not to fall for it. It paved the way for a beautiful series of Citroën popular which you can find spare parts in our catalog.

And since we were on their home turf, there was no way we could miss the Young Team Albigeois, which turned out in force with many members. Among them was a stunning Peugeot 504 Series 1 Coupe (Read Peugeot 504 Coupe: The Everywoman in an Evening Gown).
Finally, to wrap up the section on visitors and clubs, two Citroën DS – a sedan and a station wagon – were used to celebrate the 70th anniversary of this automotive oddity.

But the festivities didn't end there…

 

MEP Celebrates Its 60th Anniversary


It’s mid-afternoon, engines are roaring, and the visitor parking lot is bustling. What’s going on? The cars are getting ready to leave, heading toward the Albi city center for a memorable moment.

We let ourselves be swept up in the atmosphere: the R12 Gordini is ready, its Devil exhaust making the air vibrate. Ahead of us, a beautiful Italian car—the one that used to make us dream when we’d spot it back in the day among the popular French models. The procession sets off and comes to a stop Gambetta Avenue.

 

A few minutes later, the police clear the way… and a ballet by MEP Citroën gets going. Watching those little single-seaters race on open roads was simply magical.

These cars were returning to the place where it all began 60 years earlier. Maurice Émile Pézous, then an agent Citroën on Gambetta Avenue, had come up with the idea of creating a an affordable single-seater to make motorsports more accessible. The first ones were powered by an engine block Citroën Ami 6, which was quickly replaced by a Panhard 24 TC engine, on the advice of Maurice Trintignant who had had the opportunity to test the car at Le Mans. In 1971, a series adopted the engine from the Citroën GS.


These MEPs first ran in Albi on September 24, 1967, and in 1969, they were approved by the FFSA such as entry-level single-seaters. The famous “Formule Bleue,” sponsored by Citroën and Total, gave many drivers the chance to gain experience before launching their careers.

To celebrate this rich history, a commemorative plaque was inaugurated 60 years later, as part of the FFVE program “Places in Automotive History”, at the very site where the MEPs were manufactured. Descendants of the Pézous family, the mayor of Albi, and representatives of the FFVE were present for this wonderful tribute.

We were fortunate to take part in this ceremony with Élodie Rosier, granddaughter of the famous Louis Rosier. He won the Albi Grand Prix four times and still holds a record that stands the test of time: 23 hours and 10 minutes of consecutive driving at the 1950 24 Hours of Le Mans, before handing the wheel over to his son for just two laps… and clinching the victory !

When History meets history, we love it. Just like Spare parts help bring our beloved classic cars back to life, These symbols and ceremonies pass on a cultural heritage to future generations.

 

Rétromobile Bazadais

Head to Bazas in the Gironde region for an event no car enthusiast should miss. While this small medieval town is known for its Saint-Jean-Baptiste Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is also famous for its Rétromobile Bazadais, which has become a major event. This gathering brings together nearly 1,200 cars and 400 motorcycles from all walks of life. It was under mixed weather conditions—had summer gone into hiding?—that we took part in this wonderful automotive festival on July 27.

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The charming little streets were bustling on this Sunday. For those who usually exercise on Sundays, there was plenty to enjoy with a rare Renault 4 Jogging which, at the time, was trying to attract young people with its satin Blanc Cime paint, colorful stripes, blue soft top, unique interior, and the GTL’s “big” 1,108 cc engine. It was in excellent condition! If you, too, would like to To get your R4 up and running again, visit our dedicated page.

The Citroën BX Sport proudly displayed its special body kit. This edition was created to reflect the brand’s involvement in Group B. Under the hood was the BX GT’s XU9 engine, tuned to 126 hp by the tuning firm Danielson.

For fans of Citroën as for the typeface, there was a fine example of CX 2400 GTI Phase 1 with its 2,347-cc 4-cylinder engine producing 128 hp.

If you look to the left, you’ll see the evolution of Renault popular with, parked side by side, a 4CV, a Dauphine and a 4 tsp. Right next to it was a Renault 15 TL wearing workout clothes with his really cool Devil sticker.

If you look to the right, you’ll see a comparison of old-school family cars with a group of friends who had brought a Renault Frigate, a Peugeot 203 and a Citroën Traction. No doubt this clash sparked some heated conversations over drinks. Which one are you taking home ?

 

On another street, you'll come across well-known clubs such as Universal Traction or even the Club Simca from France, featuring an eclectic lineup that showcases the brand’s highlights. We’re still torn between a charming Simca 1100 or its derivative Matra Rancho.

In the center of the village, surrounded by sports cars, there were various displays, including one featuring the Citroën DS and Alpine to celebrate their 70th birthdays.

We didn't know where to look. We almost missed a pretty Peugeot 504, a reenactment of the one that took part in the Dakar 1984 in the hands of Yann Duffillot, Patrick Mitchell, and Jean-Jacques Martinez.

A spiffy Renault 4CV convertible Rouge Bordeaux—since we’re in the region—made us wish the sun had been out so we could admire its interior.

 

On another street, there were vehicles from the National Gendarmerie who were in the spotlight with a Renault "Alouette" Relay and an iconic Renault 4. The R4 was used by the Gendarmerie starting in 1963, and nearly 14,000 units were delivered to law enforcement. It was thanks to its low maintenance requirements, its maneuverability, and its headroom—which allowed officers to fit inside while wearing their kepis—that the little Renault was widely acclaimed.

 

In a corner dedicated to the automotive retrospective, a hidden gem had found its place. A true Renault 4CV initiated by Renault to 1951 24 Hours of Le Mans. As early as 1949, the small Renault It set out to conquer the Le Mans circuit as part of a private team, thereby becoming the first rear-engine car to compete in the race. In 1951, it was officially entered by the manufacturer and won its class.

Before leaving this lovely gathering, we ran into two Peugeot 203 burgundy red, a pretty Renault 16 TS powered by the 85-hp Cléon-Alu 1.6L engine, or a lineup of 2CV and variations in every color. So, blue, red, or green—watch out for pinches—your Citroën 2CV ? ?

Once we had passed through the entrance gates, we had just a few more meters to go, accompanied by a few French cars, including a beautiful line-up of R8, , Simca 1000 Rally 2 andAlpine A110 and A310.

It is under a light rain—which belies the reputation of the Southwest for fine weather—that we wrap up this tour of events in the region. The passion for classic cars is far from dead and continues to thrill people of all ages.

 

Check out our coverage of other automotive events:

-          Traffic Jam in Lapalisse: Relive Your Vacation on the Legendary N7

-          Losange Passion International: Renault is celebrating its 125th anniversary in Montlhéry

-          Traffic Jam on Route 9, 2024: A Closer Look at Classic Car Enthusiasts

-          ALEPOC: Meeting French Classic Car Enthusiasts – 2024 Edition

-          The Gazoline Festival: A Retro-Themed Vacation

-          18th gathering Simca : The 60th Anniversary of the 1300/1500

-          Exploring the Southwest in Classic Cars with ALEPOC