FR

In 2008 the classic Tulip Rally returned to Annecy, France, to commemorate the fact that 60 years ago the famous Dutch rally driver Maus (Maurice) Gatsonides (later known for the speed cameras that bear his name) and French rally ace Marc Angelvin came up with the idea of the Tulip Rallye whilst sitting on the shore of the beautiful Lac d'Annecy. All the contestants were parked at the huge and imposing Impérial Palace Hotel.

Shown here are shots taken on 4 May, the evening before the start.

The National Museum - Schlumpf Collection, is chronicalled all over the web and in hundreds if not thousands of books.

Simca 1000 Rallye I & II

Both models were fitted with the 1294 cc engine, the Rallye 1 producing 60 hp and the Rallye 2 82 hp. The twin carbs on the Rallye 2 must have helped! The 2's roadholding was noticeably better than that of the Rallye 1 - one reason being the very sticky tyres (not exactly long-lasting if I remember correctly).

Matra Simca 530 and Bagheera 1968-1980

Matra Sports was established in 1965 when Matra (aerospace company) took over the René Bonnet company (Matra built the fibre-glass bodies for Bonnet). In 1969 Matra was taken over by Simca. 

The Matra 530 LX was fitted with an 85 hp 1700cc V4 Ford Taunus engine

Simca Sports models 1951-1960

Simca produced a number of coupés and convertibles, starting with the Simca Huit Sport in 1949. Bodywork was by Facel Metallon (who later built cars of their own under the Facel Vega name).

Vedette (1955-1961)

The Vedette started off life as a Ford (France) Vedette. Simca took over the Ford works in 1954 but the Vedette was sold as a Ford for some time after the take-over. The 1956 models below sport a Ford badge.

Chrysler 160, 180, 2 litres 1970-1976

Chrysler's big saloon was designed in Coventry and manufactured in France. Later it was produced in Spain. The main differences between the models were the level of trim and the engine size: the 160 had a 1600 cc engine, the 180 an 1800 and the 2L a 2-litre unit. The 2 litres was only availble with automatic transmission.

Ariane (1957-1963)

The Ariane had the body style of the (old) Vedette coupled with the reliable and economical 4 cylinder Flash engine.

Simca 1300 / 1301 1500/1501 1963-1976

Simca 1100 1967-1982