On Thursday 29th May, the Lycaons association of Valbonne, a group of bikers who raise money for people struggling to pay their medical bills, organised the Festival des Vieilles Roues: a gathering of classic cars and Harley Davidsons enlivened with live music, food and drinks. This particular event was held in aid of seven-year-old Swan, who is suffering from leukaemia.
There was an eclectic mix of vehicles on display. Fans of the 1992 film Wayne’s World would immediately have spotted the AMC Pacer, the same car that featured in the famous Bohemian Rhapsody headbanging scene. Alongside it was an original Fiat 500, highlighting the contrast between the European and American ideas of how big a small car should be. The contrast was further illustrated by a huge yellow Dodge Ram pickup truck that towered over the French equivalent: a Citroën 2CV Fourgonnette van from the 1970s.
Some beautiful sports cars attempted to steal the show. An AC Ace, with its long bonnet and wire wheels, was elegant but subtle.
A red Fiat Dino coupé from the 1970s, adorned with Ferrari badges, served as a reminder of a time when Italian sports cars were more concerned with glamour than technology. A gold Citroën DS23 epitomised the stylish French design of the 1960s.
Perhaps none of them could rival the purity of engineering embodied by the original Mini, of which there were several examples on show. It’s a car that raises a smile, kindles feelings of nostalgia, and illustrates how bloated modern vehicles have become. It is rivalled only by some of the best hot hatches that France and Germany have to offer: the Peugeot 205 GTI and the Volkswagen Golf GTI, with both Mark I and Mark II versions on display.
The Festival des Vieilles Roues was a lot of fun, had plenty for car lovers to inspect, and raised money for a good cause. That’s not a bad day out.
Monaco Life is produced by a team of real multi-media journalists writing original content. See more in our free newsletter, follow our Podcasts on Spotify, and check us out on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Tik Tok.
Main photo credit: Richard McCreery