2020 Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique - Départ Reims - Cars of the Fifties & Sixties

The Bouchets' 1966 Alfa Romeo Guilia Sprint leaving Reims on the Monte Carlo Rally Historic.

Reims is a favourite city of mine with its history, motor racing connections, champagne, variety of architecture and great food.  Thus, this year I thought it was time to return for the start of the Monte Carlo Rally which Reims shares with six other cities.  Reims has the greater number of starters plus has the advantage of the Glasgow starters coming through as well. Thus a great place to see these historic rally cars start or continue on their their rally.  This year it was on Friday January 31st.

The Monte Carlo Rallye Historique has cars from the fifties, sixties and seventies compete in this regularity competition.  Joining the Historique competitors were those taking part in the Monte Carlo Rallye Classique as well, which do just the first part of the rally.  Cars from both events that were built up to 1969 feature in this blog post (other posts will follow).

My day in Reims following the event started at the verifications in the Parc des Expositions and then moved on to the gathering in the Place du Boulingrin and then finished with them driving off into the night on their way to the south of France.   I also caught up with one of the cars in the old pits at the Reims-Geux circuit.

I have to say I really enjoyed seeing these cars and my favourite was the Saab Sonett II but all of them helped make an enjoyable day.

A 1952 MG YB entering the square at Boulengrin in Reims after its journey from Glasgow.  Note the Welsh leek!

The 1958 Renault Fregate Amiral of the Bessons.

The 1958 Austin A35 of De Varine and Domange awaiting scrutineering.

A 1958 Triumph TR3 joins the queue as it arrives from Glasgow.

Another 1958 car arrives from Glasgow, a MG A.

Two Russian Volga M21s.

A 1962 Volga M21M

A 1963 Porsche 356C ready for its crew of Di Egidio and Ferrari.

A 1964 Morris Mini Cooper S visits the pits at Reims-Geux.

The 1964 Bond Equipe of De Varine and Santarossa.

A 1965 Porsche 911 leaves the podium on its way to the South of France driven by Cornet de Ways Ruart.

The 1965 Lancia Fulvia Coupé of Peccenini and Darre.

The Raffin's 1965 Lotus Cortina Mk1.

The 1966 Lotus Elan of Ordord and O'Brien.

The 1967 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia of the Durins drives through the night.

The Mockridge/Varney crew prepare for their journey in this 1967 Austin A40.

A 1967 Triumph Spitfire.

The 1968 Peugeot 404 speeds through Reims.

The Herman and Robert 1968 Saab Sonett II undergoing scrutineering.

The Vilalta/Vanderstraeten 1968 Saab 96 V4.

The 1968 Fiat Moretti 850S of Lambert and Sylvan.

The 1969 NSU 1200 TT of Leplaideur and Payre.

A 1969 MG B GT waiting for its crew of Deleas and Durand.

A 1969 Austin Mini Cooper receives its rally number from the Pradeau crew.

John Etherton asserts his copyright to all of the photos on this blogpost.  However, you may post the photos elsewhere on the web as long as you credit the photographer, John Etherton, and this blog post, Rouenlesafx@blogspot.com and provide a link to this page.

John Etherton affirme son droit d'auteur à l'ensemble des photos sur ce billet de blog. Cependant, vous pouvez poster des photos ailleurs sur le web aussi longtemps que vous créditez le photographe, John Etherton, et ce blog, Rouenlesafx@blogspot.com et fournissez un lien vers cette page.

The lovely Peugeot 404 of Thierry and Emeline Emptas.