Les voitures de Reims – Part 4

The final batch of pictures from the carpark at the Reims Salon Champenois du Véhicule de Collection. The rest of the gallery is after the jump!

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March 28, 2009 6:06 am | RatDat | 1 Comment »
Filed under: Events | French Cars

Smashing Datsuns

These days we take it for granted that a 25mph shunt in a modern car would be not only survivable but unlikely to even inflict any injuries at all. Not so in the late 1960’s. Back in an era when the use of seatbelts wasn’t universal and crumple zones were but a glimmer in the designers imagination, even a relatively low speed crash could put passengers at great risk of injury and even death. Manufacturers at this time had started their research into making passenger cars safer as the first film below shows. Although the speed of the test of Datsun Bluebirds is quite low at just 40kmh (24mph) the scenario is actually quite realistic. It’s clear to see that whilst the cars remain relatively intact, the lack of any energy absorbing made for a rough ride to the crash test dummies! Films after the jump…

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March 27, 2009 11:27 am | RatDat | 1 Comment »
Filed under: Accidents | Bluebird

Les voitures de Reims – Part 3

More pictures from the carpark at the Reims Salon Champenois du Véhicule de Collection. The rest of the gallery is after the jump!

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Filed under: Events | French Cars

Les voitures de Reims – Part 2

More pictures from the carpark at the Reims Salon Champenois du Véhicule de Collection. The rest of the gallery is after the jump!

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March 26, 2009 6:00 am | RatDat | No Comments »
Filed under: Events | French Cars

Les voitures de Reims – Part 1

Variety was in abundance at the Reims Salon Champenois du Véhicule de Collection, particularly in the car park out the front. Although I couldn’t snap everything there I still managed to take over 400 pictures in the car park. I’ll be posting the pictures in four separate posts as there’s a few too many for one post! You can check out rest of pictures after the jump…

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March 25, 2009 6:00 am | RatDat | No Comments »
Filed under: Events | French Cars

Reims Salon Swapmeet

As I’ve previously mentioned, the swapmeet at the 22nd Salon Champenois du Véhicule de Collection in Reims was a little pricey but offered a staggering wealth of parts and memorabilia, much of which would be hard, if not impossible to find outside of France. Obviously the bulk of the parts on offer from both business and private traders catered for French and European marques. I saw very little on offer to suit Japanese cars but that’s hardly surprising really. I did see a nice metal “Datsun Concessionnaire” sign but it was Sadly way to large to fit in our car! The sheer quantity and variety of the automobilia on offer was awesome, from enamel signs to pedal cars, it was all to be found. In fact I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many pedal cars in my life! After the jump you can take a look at some of the wares on offer. I can thoroughly recommend this swapmeet but if you do attend, take plenty of Euros!

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March 24, 2009 5:55 pm | RatDat | No Comments »
Filed under: Automobilia | Car Accessories | Events | French Cars