French Car Day, Perth 2012

French Car Day was held in Perth on Sunday 21st October 2012 at Supreme Court Gardens in Perth.

Renault R8s

A Renault 4, which was in production from 1961 to 1993, and Peter's CV4 (46-61)

A pair of sleek Renault Alpine A110s.

Renault Caravelle, manufactured between 1958 and 68.

I've always loved the Citroen DS and I'd not say no to an early model.

My mother told me I'd never be allowed home again if I bought one!

The wonderful Citroen Traction Avant.  The Traction Avant was one of the

first cars to use front wheel drive (after DKW).  Traction Avants were in

production from 1934 to 1957 when they were replaced by the DS.  

This beautiful Traction Avant limosine was imported from Europe.

Notice the gear lever mountered in the dashboard like early DKWs.

The ubiquitous Citroen CV2 was first designed in the late 1930s. Some early models, called the TPV were built during the prewar years. In 1948 production started again and continued, with few changes right through to 1990.

A very handsome CV2 convertible

A very lonely SIMCA Vedette (1954-61). 

A Peugeot 403 (1955-1962) and Peugeot 404 Super Luxe

A marvellous Bugatti racer

This gorgeous 1924 Amilcar is regular attendee at vintage events.

I came across this 1925 Amilcar in Fremantle about a year

ago.  I was riding the Ariel, saw it parked on the roadside

and stopped to take some pictures.  When I was done I

surprised to find the Amilcar's owners were standing by the

Ariel admiring it.  We all had a very good chat.

Another rare French bird - a 1926 Salmson Val Series 6 Tourer.

1906 De Dion Bouton

German Car Day, Perth 2012

The 2012 German Car Day is on this year, taking it out of the traditional middle of winter date for the first year. The Mercedes-Benz Car Club has hosted this event for over a decade. It has seen strong turnouts of Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, BMW, Audi and Volkswagen cars, as well as examples of Borgward, NSU, Opel and even Messerschmitt – and German made models such as the Ford Focus XR5. The event has previously been held in York and Northam, but starting this year we’re making it a moving feast, with a different destination each year.

The event begins with meeting at the car park corner of Plain Street and Nelson Crescent in Perth, near the WACA at 9.30am, and from there a drive will set off to our secret destination. The convoy should reach the destination in about an hour and a half. There, cars will be parked by marque and on public display. There are plenty of places to eat nearby, or you’re welcome to bring a picnic lunch. And no, the destination will not be divulged until the day…

The cost is just $10 per car - regardless of how many people are on board - which includes a raffle ticket with some excellent prizes. Part proceeds will go to CanTeen.

You don’t have to be a club member to participate. And you don’t need a show-car, all German cars are welcome. Spread the word – the more the merrier...

When: Sunday, September 23

Where: Car park corner of Plain Street and Nelson Crescent in Perth, near the WACA - drive to secret destination

More Info: http://www.mbccwa.org.au/calendar.htm

At the rendezvous at the WACA

There was a strong showing by the Porsche Club

There were a small number of classic VWs,

This Mercedes-Benz 500K replica created a sensation on arrival.

Although it's a replica it is still a very expensive car.

A nice, unmolested 56 Type 1 Volkswagen beetle with oval window.

Daisy drew some attention.  Along with the few VWs it was the only classic.

Farmobil 700

SIVA member Mark unveiled the completion of his 12 year Farmobil restoration project at a recent meeting. The Farmobil was a farm utility vehicle designed by the Fahr tractor company in the late 1950s. Engines and drive trains were supplied by BMW and the vehicles themselves were assembled by the Greek Farco company. The Farmobil's were sold in Greece, Austria, Germany (as the BMW Farmobil) and in France, where they were relatively successful. Unfortunately only 900 Farmobil's were ever manufactured and are quite rare nowadays.
Mark's Farmobil was bought in Lyon, France in 1990 and imported to Australia. It was running at the time and had its original BMW Farco engine.

Over the past 12 years Mark has undertaken an epic complete nut and bolt restoration that included the re-manufacture of floor plans and body panels.

The result is simply amazing. Every single element has been exquisitely restored to pristine condition. The engine bay is spotless!

Mark takes it for a test drive.

Mark's recently completed Renault

A few interesting machines invariably show up at SIVA meetings. Two Renaults and a Messerschmitt.

Peter's Renault 4CV

Zig's Messerschmitt

Berkeley sports car. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berkeley_Cars

An Aussie legend - the Leyland P76. Wheel's Magazine's 1973 car of the year. It would become the great Australian lemon. http://www.webtrade.com.au/p76/

Wheels Magazine's DKW reviews

DKW cars and motorcycles enjoyed a good reputation in Australia in the inter-war period and many motoring enthusiasts hoped DKW would make a return to the Australian market after the war. In January 1958 Australia's premier motoring magazine, Wheels, sent their reporter to Germany to test the new DKW 3=6. It received a very positive review but sales never eventuated and less than ten cars were ever imported into Australia.




The following year, in January 1959 Wheels had a four page feature on the DKW 3=6. The article even questioned Mercedes-Benz' failure to promote the DKW in the Australian market.





By 1962 DKW had still not returned to the Australian market but in their August issue Wheels Magazine again sent a writer to Germany to review the new Junior model.




In 1965 Wheels reviewed the DKW F102. Once again it was a positive review and it was forecast that the larger DKW would receive a positive welcome back in Australia. Later the same year the F102 was replaced by the new Audi F103. It would be several more years before Audi's reached Australian shores.