The Online Magazine for Italian and French Classic Car Enthusiasts
1948 Panhard Dynavia.
By Gijsbert-Paul Berk
Since the mid-thirties, when he had developed the body of the Dynamic, Bionier had been interested in aerodynamics. He loved to watch birds in the air and fish in aquaria. Their movements and shapes fascinated him. During the war years he had studied and even made some scale models to determine how the postwar Panhards should look. [Read more…] about Louis Bionier, French Designer, Part 3
By Pete Vack
Read Part II
All images are from the book “Delage, France’s Finest Car”
It is not our goal here to provide any kind of in-depth history of Delage; that is the purpose of the two volume set we describe. The following are just a few highlights of the fantastic cars from this distinguished French manufacturer. Part I will deal with the years up to 1920, in Part II will briefly cover the 1920-1935 years, the difference between Delage and Delahaye, and why. All of this is based on information and images from “Delage, France’s Finest Car, Volume 1 and 2 by Cabart, Rouxel and Burgess-Wise.
By Pete Vack
Read Part I
All images are from the book “Delage, France’s Finest Car”
The Great War came and went, and the fortunes of Louis Delage increased manifold as the factory turned out bullets. A failure to ensure munitions quality which caused a scandal. After the devasting war profiteering became an issue, and the French government would argue over how to tax excess war profits until the start of World War II.
This turn of the century tiller Peugeot was typical of their 19th century products. Five cars were sold in 1891 and by 1899 the firm was selling over 300 cars per year. The history of Peugeot tracks the entire history of the automobile from three wheel steam cars of the 1870s to the energy efficient cars of the 21st century.
Photographs by Alessandro Gerelli
Text and captions by Pete Vack
Although an international event, Retro is nevertheless a French event first and foremost. The automotive history of France may have more length, depth, variety, and engineering excellence than any other country in the world. [Read more…] about French History at Retro 2009