Season opens with a bang

Say the name ‘Reims’ and devotees of Renault classic cars know exactly what you are talking about. 'Are you going to Reims?’ means ‘Are you going to the 'Les Belles Champenoises d’ Epoque' exhibition in Reims’. But, beware, because it’s addictive: everyone, who goes, will want to go again. The official opening of the French ‘oldtimer’ season is the Rétromobile show in February in Paris. But, as fairs go, Paris and Reims are very different. Reims is held over a weekend and is much easier to access for exhibitors, for clubs and for visitors. The Reims event is spread over three different exhibition halls and, in two of those, visitors will find mostly car clubs’ and organisations’ stands. The third hall is full of spare parts, brochures and miniatures and that was how the fair started thirty-one years ago. In those days, visitors with their own classic cars could park them outside, but still within the exhibition’s grounds. However, for the past few years, this hard standing area has been crammed with tents protecting the exhibitors’ wares against the weather.

Although there is no certainty at fairs that visitors will find what they are looking for, regular visitors know what to expect. For ‘youngtimers’, in particular, Reims offers rich pickings.  In comparison, Paris tends to be too exclusive. The event in Reims has three main components. Firstly, there are the enthusiasts’ clubs, whose stands follow a set theme, for which the exhibition organisers offer prizes. Some clubs are fanatical about this, whilst others offer just a stand with one car and a counter. Dutch enthusiasts have been visiting Reims for many years. A good illustration is the Amicale Renault 16 which showed off two Dutch cars on their stand and members explained that the best French models had already had that honour…

The second component at Reims is the stands offering almost everything to do with motorcars. Heaps of spare parts, of course, - some of them new and in their original boxes, others, which appear to be junk. Rows of lamps and lighting parts, bits of coachwork, dashboards and upholstery, not to mention key rings and make and model badges and emblems. Items passed over by one person are a discovery for someone else. Thousands of model cars ensure successful shopping. Pamphlets, manuals, books and posters - all are in great demand.

Finally, there is the outside area, where a wide range of classic cars and ‘youngtimers’ are parked. Be sure to stroll around this part, as there are many wonderful and special models to be seen, including plenty of Renaults and Alpines, too. Discover which models are hot collectors’ items in France, in Belgium and in the Netherlands. The list of cars grows every year. There are no pre-war cars outside, although the occasional Renault 4CV or Dauphine may have dared to make the trip. Renaults from the ‘Seventies and ‘Eighties abound, such as the 4L and the R5, as well as quite a few 14s.  There are also examples of the 6, 12, 16, 18, the Estafette, 20, 30 and of the 25.  Besides this, a handful of Frégates, Clios and of the original Espace I makes the outside area well worth a visit!