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Hooniverse Asks- What’s Your Favorite French Car?

Robert Emslie July 27, 2010 Hooniverse Asks

If you caught this week’s Top Gear, you would might have seen the News segment where Jezza brings up the fact that Citroën’s new UK Sales Director is named Charles Peugeot. That coincidental happenstance was good for a lark, but it did get me thinking about French cars – all suspension like warm brie and Louvre-appropriate styling –  and started the little chin pull in contemplation of which one’s my favorite.

Now I’m saving that for a little later here, but wanted to open the floor to you all in casting a vote for your favorite French car. Of course you may not have a favorite, you may in fact have a general dislike for Gallic rides, considering the French. . . well, there’s lots of stereotypes that we just don’t need to get into right now. However, if you lack an appreciation for French cars due to an unfamiliarity, may I suggest you rent Goddard’s Week End, or perhaps a trip to a serious wine merchant, as they typically like to drive French cars.

As I had said, I wanted to keep my selection until the end, and as we are now nearing that point, I can let on that my favorite French car is the Traction Avant. That car’s sweeping fender line and wheels at the corners stance has always resonated with me. Sure, I know that the French also produced the spectacular Figoni and Falaschi-bodied Talbot Lago T150, as well as brilliant cars from Delage and Delahaye, but the lack of pretense inherent in the T/A makes me gravitate to the Citroën.

Is there such a French beauty to which you feel a similar pull?

Image source: [Hubgarage.com]

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Currently there are "39 comments" on this Article:

  1. P161911 says:
    July 27, 2010 at 3:06 pm

    Bugatti Royale <img src="http://www.thehistoryblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/Bugatti-Royale-Coupe-Napoleon.jpg"&gt;

    Reply
  2. engineerd says:
    July 27, 2010 at 3:07 pm

    This:

    <img width=500 src="http://www.supercars.net/carpics/2705/1936_Bugatti_Type57SCAtlantic3.jpg"&gt;

    I finally saw not one, but two of them at the Meadow Brook Concours this weekend. Pure. Sex.

    The Citroen DS is second, but it's not really that close.

    Reply
  3. Tanshanomi says:
    July 27, 2010 at 3:08 pm

    Peugeot 205 Turbo 16. mmmmm.
    <img src="http://www.carbodydesign.com/archive/2006/07/11-peugeot-207-super-2000/1984-Peugeot-205-Turbo-16.jpg"&gt;

    Reply
  4. rikadyn says:
    July 27, 2010 at 3:14 pm

    Venturi Atlantique

    Reply
  5. Hopman says:
    July 27, 2010 at 3:25 pm

    http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/200…

    Renualt Espace F1

    V10 mid-engined minivan! Not quite a car, but damn effin' fast!

    Reply
  6. SSurfer321 says:
    July 27, 2010 at 3:31 pm

    <img src="http://image.europeancarweb.com/f/9066629/0610_ec_167_Z+Peugeot_207_R_Cup+front_side.jpg&quot;, width=500>
    Peugot 207 R Cup/S1000

    Reply
  7. Armand4 says:
    July 27, 2010 at 3:32 pm

    People in North America usually only get exposed to French cars if they're (a) of French descent or (b) a little weird. If, like me, one is (c) both of the above, the French car addiction can be quite strong and, indeed, a bit disturbing. If you're strange enough, you'll even bypass the truly great French cars (Bugatti, Facel, Alpine A110, Citroen SM) for something more mediocre, just because it means something to you.
    My grandfather bought one of these in 1961. Picked it up at the factory, which meant that his first experience with his new car was on the Champs-Elysees at 4:30 on a Friday afternoon. He had it shipped back to New York, and drove it home to San Francisco. He liked it so much that he suggested that my great-grandfather get one too; that car got passed on to my dad, who sold it just before I was born. Someday, I'll have one too. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Peugeot_40…

    Reply
  8. Seth L says:
    July 27, 2010 at 3:56 pm

    I really want a C6

    [img Reply

  • dwegmull says:
    July 27, 2010 at 3:57 pm

    Where to begin? I was raised in France and now live in California. My view of French car is somewhat biased by the fact that my father was a mechanic who hated working on French cars due to their needless complexity. I'm not talking about things like hydro-pneumatic suspensions, but everything else like the way simple things such as a glove box door is put together with hinges and latches made of 25 different special parts…
    I've been away from France long enough that I'm falling victim of the greener grass on the other side of the ocean syndrome and find myself browsing Ebay motors for Deux Chevaux and Déesses…
    When it comes to pure fantasy and solid unobtanium, Bugatti, Delahaye and Talbot Lago come to mind. SO here is just one picture, to drool over:
    <img src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4075/4827532347_d2b4eba744.jpg"&gt;

    Reply
  • damnelantra™[!] says:
    July 27, 2010 at 4:03 pm

    who would not love a citreon van?
    http://www.francethisway.com/top10lists/images/ci…

    Reply
  • ZomBee Racer says:
    July 27, 2010 at 9:05 am

    In the late 70's our neighbor had a "Le Car" which I thought was pretty cool. He was evidently the president of the regional Renault 5 car club, and on random Saturday mornings I would emerge from watching morning cartoons to find the house surrounded by these tiny Le Cars in every color imaginable. I even remember seeing Turbos once or twice.

    <img src="http://www.superfunpatrol.net/images/lecar.jpg"&gt;

    My only real experience with a French car however is this one. I gotta say, I'm surprised how much I actually like it.

    <img src="http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs106.ash2/38662_1540820204996_1369652107_1420158_4332757_n.jpg&quot; width="500" />

    Reply
    • packratmatt says:
      July 28, 2010 at 12:30 am

      I think I'm more impressed with the bike. Is that a Mongoose with Moto Mags?

      Reply
      • ZomBee Racer says:
        July 28, 2010 at 1:17 am

        Ha-ha, Good eye! It's a '78 JAG BMX, Licorice-Black with Pineapple-Gold Moto Mag II wheels. I bought it new in 78 and just liberated it from storage this week. I plan on restoring it over the winter.

        Even sharper eyes will notice the ass-end of the infamous Killer Bee Lemons racer sticking out between the smart and the orange MGB. I hope to have the JAG in service as my next pit-bike.

        Reply
  • Alff says:
    July 27, 2010 at 9:27 am

    Voisin C20 Mylord Demi Berline

    &lt;DIV style="OVERFLOW: auto"&gt;
    <DIV style="OVERFLOW: auto"><img src="http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/images/large/2926/Voisin-C20–Mylord–Demi-Berline_1.jpg&quot; width=500>

    Apparently taken at the same Concours as Engineerd's

    Reply
  • scroggzilla says:
    July 27, 2010 at 4:40 pm

    I'm sorry….but you're all wrong. The correct answer is the Alpine A110.
    <img src="http://www.classicandperformancecar.com/front_website/octane_interact/modelpicture.php?id=3142"&gt;

    Reply
  • BGW says:
    July 27, 2010 at 4:55 pm

    Clearly.

    <img src="http://img844.imageshack.us/img844/3368/faf2.jpg"&gt;

    Reply
  • muthalovin says:
    July 27, 2010 at 10:04 am

    <img src="http://www.thecartorialist.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/renault_5_turbo2_angle_front_2.jpg&quot; width=523.5 height=288.5>

    I really, really like the Le Car. A lot.

    Reply
  • Feds_II says:
    July 27, 2010 at 10:27 am

    Good enough for Schumy, good enough for me:

    <img src="http://www.carspage.info/images/Bugatti09.jpg&quot; width=500>

    Reply
  • LTDScott says:
    July 27, 2010 at 5:54 pm

    I've been fascinated with these ever since I had a Matchbox toy of one.

    <img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c3/1977_Simca_Matra_Rancho.jpg/800px-1977_Simca_Matra_Rancho.jpg"&gt;

    Reply
  • Number_Six says:
    July 27, 2010 at 6:15 pm

    Facel Vegas, Alpine 110s, and Citroen C6s may be my French dream cars, but the Peugeot 505 remains my favourite French car.

    <img src="http://mobilretro.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/peugeot_505_turbo_familiale_1991.jpg&quot; />

    Reply
    • BGW says:
      July 27, 2010 at 6:37 pm

      At least I'm not the only 505-loving weirdo around here. I always wanted a diesel 505 Wagon, which I think would have made me the Most Hated Man In Virginia.

      And I'd have been OK with that.

      Reply
    • dustin_driver says:
      July 27, 2010 at 7:22 pm

      YES

      Reply
    • dr zero says:
      July 29, 2010 at 2:28 am

      When I was growing up, on trips to Indonesia to see my Grandmother, we would stay at my Uncle's place. He had a 505 which was forever breaking down, so much so that they had their own mechanic to look after it (this was Indonesia, with low labour costs, and my Aunt was a doctor). It was magnificently comfortable though, and I have fond memories of that car.

      Reply
  • tonyola says:
    July 27, 2010 at 6:24 pm

    Yeah, I know that owning an SM is just begging for trouble, but I still love it.

    <img src="http://www.automovilismoblog.com.ar/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/1970_citroen_sm.jpg&quot; width=400>

    Reply
  • dustin_driver says:
    July 27, 2010 at 12:24 pm

    <img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/48/MatraSimcaBagheera.jpg&quot; width="500">

    Matra Simca Bagheera.

    But of course, the DS is the best French car ever.

    Reply
  • alcology says:
    July 27, 2010 at 8:11 pm

    Ever watch the Disney movie Ratatouille? Watch it again, or for the first time, and just watch the cars they use. You see them all!

    Reply
    • joshuman says:
      July 27, 2010 at 9:35 pm

      I have it loaded on my phone at all times just in case I need to bust out a movie for the kids. I do enjoy the cars and, for some reason, always want a snack part way through.

      Reply
  • Mark Goddard says:
    July 27, 2010 at 10:38 pm

    Bugatti T35.

    Reply
  • packratmatt says:
    July 28, 2010 at 12:31 am

    Citroen 2cv. Everything you need in a car and nothing you don't.

    Reply
  • JoeDunlap says:
    July 28, 2010 at 4:31 am

    Ha, pikers! Ah speet een yaor general dierectzion! Zer ees only won French pastree zat will do! Er naam ees…..__Caravelle!_____

    Reply
  • Greg Newman says:
    July 28, 2010 at 8:18 am

    avantime, avantime, avantime, avantime…

    this is my one, and i love it!
    http://www.est.lu/images/img-occ-avantime_2002-bi…

    Reply
  • David says:
    July 28, 2010 at 5:48 am

    Citroën BX 4TC. “4TC” is French for “WRX STi.”

    Reply

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