Delectable delights from France’s largest classic show

Held annually on the outskirts of Lyon, Epoqu’Auto is one of the largest classic car shows in France.

Collectors from all over Europe attend the three-day event to swap cars, parts and tales from the road. While the actual show takes place inside a convention center, the panoply of cars displayed in the parking lot is mind-boggling.The French car contingent is extremely well represented, as you’d expect from an event taking place in the heart of France, but there is normally something on display to captivate the attention of every enthusiast. Here are some of the highlights from this year’s edition.

Automotive melting pot

Epoqu’Auto draws collectors and enthusiasts from all over France and neighboring countries. It’s a veritable melting pot of classic cars where anything goes as long as it’s interesting. Where else can you find an unrestored Fiat 900E, a flawless Honda S800 and a Peugeot 505 still used daily parked next to each other?

Jaguar XJS-based Lynx Eventer

Jaguar never showed an interest in turning the XJS into a shooting brake, so English coachbuilder Lynx stepped in to perform the conversion. The long-roof model offered space for four passengers in a comfortable, luxurious atmosphere and enough room behind the rear seats for a weekend’s worth of gear. Approximately 67 examples of the XJS became a Lynx Eventer. Jaguar took notice, but it didn’t dabble into the station wagon segment until it launched the X-Type Sportwagon in 2004.

Renault 5 Turbo

No one believed Renault would dare build something as crazy as a mid-engined economy car. Against all odds, the French company fuelled pub talk for nights on end when it began producing the 400 examples of the 5 Turbo it needed for homologation purposes in 1980. The model was such a big hit that Renault followed up with a more affordable model named Turbo 2.

Pontiac Firebird

With a black vinyl top and a pair of big scoops above the grille, this Pontiac Firebird is the quintessential American muscle car from the 1970s. Its 6.5-litre V8 engine makes just 185hp due to power-leeching emissions equipment but it draws a crowd every time it roars to life.

Opel Kadett Convertible

The Opel Kadett Convertible takes us back to the time when car companies gambled on low-volume models like an oil baron playing penny slots. Built by Bertone in Italy, it competed in the same segment as the Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet and the topless Ford Escort. We can’t imagine Opel or Vauxhall building a two-door Astra today, let alone a convertible.

Toyota Supra

It’s rare to see a third-generation Toyota Supra that hasn’t been modified to look like it starred in a Fast & Furious movie. This example is completely original, down to the black paint and the alloy wheels - excellent.

Renault 4

The Renault 4 is barely beginning to achieve classic car status and appreciate in value. Late models with the plastic grille are now common, but a lot of the early examples were crushed before collectors began paying attention to the model. The rust on this first-generation example suggests it has led a rough life.

Citroën Ami 8 service van

Citroën turned the Ami 8 station wagon into a service van by welding in the rear doors and the rear windows. The 2CV-based AK van largely overshadowed the Ami 8 so production remained low, and the few built were mercilessly driven into the ground by a succession of owners. Only a small handful of examples remain today.

Wiesmann GT MF5

Epoqu’Auto isn’t exclusively open to classic cars. Old and new supercars are welcomed to join but the contingent is usually underrepresented. This Wiesmann GT MF5 is one of the few high-end models we spotted at the show this year. It’s powered by an uprated 547hp version of the marvellous V10 engine borrowed from the E60 BMW M5.

MG RV8

MG surprised everyone in October of 1992 by bringing the B back from the dead. Instead of building cars immune to change like Morgan Motors, it took the more expensive route of redesigning the B inside, outside and under the hood. Consequently, the RV8 shares very few parts with the B it’s based on.

The classic lines that wooed buyers in the 1960s were re-imagined with lots more plastic bits. Designers made the cabin more luxurious, while engineers dropped Rover’s 3.9-litre V8 under the hood. MG built less than 2000 examples of the RV8, and a majority of the production run went to Japan.

BMW 8 Series

The 8 Series filled the gap left by the original 6 Series in the BMW line-up, but it wasn’t the coupe’s direct successor. It was a bigger, more luxurious grand tourer offered with powerful eight- or 12-cylinder engines. Extensive wind tunnel testing gave the 8 a 0.29 drag co-efficient, on par with a modern-day 3 Series.

BMW is preparing to re-launch the 8 Series nameplate on a brand-new flagship coupe aimed at the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe. We expect interest in the original model will spike when its intended successor reaches showrooms.

Volkswagen Golf GTI 16s

Volkswagen’s French division stepped up to the challenge of building a more powerful first-generation GTI. With input from tuner Oettinger, it designed a 136hp evolution of the GTI’s four-cylinder engine with a higher compression ratio and, importantly, a 16-valve cylinder head. About 1600 examples were built starting in 1981, but the model was only distributed on the French and Swiss markets. Decision-makers in Wolfsburg must have liked what they saw because a 16-valve model joined the second-generation GTI line-up in 1986.

Chevrolet Corvair vs. Volkswagen 1303

Epoqu’Auto is where old rivals set aside their differences. Chevrolet introduced the Corvair in response to the Volkswagen Beetle, which became wildly popular in America during the 1950s. The Corvair was bigger and much more modern than the Beetle, but it never achieved the same degree of popularity as its German rival due in part to Ralph Nader’s damning 1965 book “Unsafe at Any Speed.”

Renault Alpine V6 GT

The Renault Alpine V6 GT attempted to entice buyers out of Porsche showrooms by providing an alternative to the 944 with an unmistakably Gallic flavor. The 2+2 coupe received a rear-mounted, 2.8-litre PRV V6 tuned to make 160hp in its most basic version. Twin Solex carburetors fed the six, which raised eyebrows in an era when fuel-injected sports cars were common.

The V6 GT wasn’t the hit Renault hoped for, partly because buyers expected more than a visual evolution of the A310. Alpine did, too; the A310’s replacement was originally supposed to take the form of a Ferrari Mondial-esque mid-engined four-seater, but executives canned the project.

Mercedes-Benz SL (R107)

Collectors turned to the R107-generation Mercedes-Benz SL when its predecessor, the W113 SL 'Pagoda', began trading hands for six-digit sums. There are two types of SL collectors: those who prefer the early cars with the smaller bumpers, like the dark red example pictured above, and those who lust after the later, contemporary-looking models with more power and a nicer interior.

Oldsmobile Super 88

The Oldsmobile Super 88 is the archetypical 1950s American car. It’s long and wide, with numerous chrome accents and a silhouette accented by generously-sized fins out back. Oldsmobile built a small handful of cars in Switzerland during the 1950s, but this example was recently imported from the US.

Citroën Traction Avant

The Citroën Traction Avant is tenured in the classic car world, though it attracts less attention than it used to. This unrestored recently emerged from a 30-year stint in a barn. While it looks worse for the wear, the owner notes it still drives like new.

Simca 1000 Rallye 2

The 1000-based Rallye models are among the most collectible cars ever to wear a Simca badge. Long frowned upon by enthusiasts who preferred the Renault 8 Gordini, the three Rallye variants are now treasured collector’s items that get treated to painstakingly thorough restorations.

Born in the 1980s

Cars built in the 1980s are slowly but surely making the transition from daily drivers to classic cars sought after by enthusiasts. The XJ-generation Jeep Cherokee, the second-generation Volkswagen Golf and the original Saab 900 are creeping up in value, as are the Peugeot 205 and the excellent Mercedes-Benz W124. Tempted? We suggest picking up a clean one while you still can.

Renault 21 Olympique 92

Special-edition variants of the Renault 21 are beginning to pique the interest of collectors. The example pictured here is a limited-edition “Olympique 92” model built to celebrate the 1992 Olympic Games in Albertville, France. Limited to 300 examples, it received white alloy wheels, edition-specific decals, gray leather upholstery and additional standard features.

Renault’s Clio, 19 and 25 models received the same treatment, as did the Jeep Cherokee and just two examples of the Alpine A610.

Fiat Uno Turbo i.e.

Hot hatches from the 1980s are the next big thing in the collector car market. This Fiat Uno Turbo i.e. looks clean enough to appear on the cover of a sales brochure. Finding one in this condition is easier said than done; the Uno Turbo i.e. had a bad tendency to either receive extreme modifications from the tuner crowd, or get spit-balled into a roadside ditch by a driver unfamiliar with the concept of turbo lag.

Chrysler 1308

The Chrysler 1308 has completely missed the transition from an affordable daily driver transporting its third or fourth owner to a collectible car. Website HowManyLeft notes just seven examples are left in the UK, where the model goes by the name Chrysler Alpine. It’s much rarer than the Bugatti Chiron will ever be.

Talbot-Matra Rancho

With a rugged design and an adventurous flair, the Matra Rancho was well ahead of its time when it made its debut in 1977. It was one of the few affordable leisure-oriented vehicles on the market, though its front-wheel drive layout limited its ability to go down a trail.

Production ended after Matra built a little over 56,000 examples and the Rancho died without a successor, at least not in the Peugeot line-up. Matra’s intended replacement ultimately morphed into the original Renault Espace. Look closely at the current Peugeot 2008’s roof line and you’ll spot the Rancho’s influence, however.

Technical support

There are far worse places to break down in an Alfa Romeo 33 than in the parking lot outside of Epoqu’Auto. You’re certain to find the part you need, source the tools required to swap it out and find someone to lend a hand if necessary.

Parts galore

Vendors travel from all over Europe to sell parts at Epoqu’Auto. Some specialize in a specific type of car, like classic British cars or air-cooled Volkswagens, while others try peddling what they’ve stashed away in their garage over the past couple of decades. It’s amazing that collectors can still find original, un-restored parts for pre-war cars like the Citroën Traction Avant.

Supersize me

American cars are normally well represented at Epoqu’Auto. Seeing Chevrolet Bel Air parked next to a European car from roughly the same era (like the Mini) really puts the size difference into context. It’s no wonder American manufacturers had a difficult time selling cars in Europe in the 1950s and 1960s – and vice versa.

Fiat Ritmo Abarth 130TC

The Fiat Ritmo has exited the automotive landscape, and it seems the Abarth-badged model has gone with it. It’s one of the most underappreciated and underrated hot hatches from the 1980s. Twin Weber carburetors bumped the Ritmo’s output up to 130hp, a figure which placed it in direct competition with the Peugeot 205 GTI.

Renault 18

“Come as you are” is the name of the game at Epoqu’Auto. This post-facelift Renault 18 looks like it was pulled out of a chicken coop and driven straight to the event. It’s not the best example left, but we give it points for simply existing. The 18 is one of those mass-produced, mass-destroyed cars that have vanished from European roads.

Citroën BX

The BX stood out as the black sheep of the Citroën family up until recently. Collectors deemed it unworthy of attention due to its boxy lines and the “hand-me-down from a dead relative” image associated with it. That’s changed quickly, and we spotted at least half a dozen examples at Epoqu’Auto. The BX pictured here is a pre-facelift GT model with orange turn signals.

Peugeot P4

The Peugeot P4 is the Mercedes-Benz G-Class’s more rustic cousin. The French army still runs thousands of P4s, though the example pictured here is a pick-up that recently retired from fire-fighting duty. Square headlights help set it apart from its Mercedes-branded sibling.

Chevrolet 3100

Lowered and weathered, this Chevrolet 3100 from the 1950s perfectly illustrates the popular “rat rod” look. The mirror-like chrome on the bumpers and the grille and the aftermarket alloy wheels suggest this truck has benefited from a complete restoration in spite of what the tattered bodywork suggests.

All shapes and sizes

Epoqu’Auto is a great place to add a new car to your fleet, even if you’re out of garage space. Dozens of vendors sell a dizzying array of model cars, from the smallest Micro Machines to the most detailed 1/12-scale replicas. There is something for every taste and budget.

Volkswagen New Beetle RSi

Volkswagen tried ditching the New Beetle’s image with the RSi, a super-Beetle with a 3.2-litre, 24-valve VR6 engine that made 225hp. The six channeled its output to all four wheels via a six-speed manual transmission borrowed from the Audi TT and Volkswagen’s 4Motion all-wheel drive system. 250 examples were built, all painted silver except for a dark blue one for VW mogul Ferdinand Piëch - of course.

Volkswagen Polo G40

Volkswagen added the Polo to its growing arsenal of hot hatches by bolting a supercharger to the model’s 1.3-litre four-cylinder engine. The original Polo G40 arrived as a limited-edition model sold only in select markets, but the facelifted version (pictured here) launched as a regular-production addition to the German brand’s catalog.

Renault Twingo

Renault celebrated the Twingo’s 25th anniversary with a special display at Epoqu’Auto. The company re-created its booth at the 1992 Paris motor show by bringing out four examples of the Twingo each painted in one of the launch colors. The quartet has lived in Renault’s official collection since new.

Renault Twingo Cup prototype

Renault built three experimental Twingo cup cars shortly after launching the model in 1992. The company wanted its new city car to replace the Clio as its performance ambassador. Some prototypes used a 135hp 1.6-litre engine, but the example pictured here is equipped with 2.0-litre four-cylinder tuned to 150hp. Renault abandoned the project for reasons that remain murky.

Renault JP4

The Renault JP4 started life as a home-made beach car based on the venerable 4. It turned heads everywhere it went, so its creators launched a company named Car Système and began taking orders from customers. The brand filed for bankruptcy in 1983, changed its name to Car Système Style and filed for bankruptcy a second time the following year.

To avoid a third bankruptcy, one of the founders decided to obtain permission to sell the car outside of France. Renault caught wind of the project at about the same time. It agreed to provide donor vehicles and distribute the car through its dealer network as a replacement for the Rodeo. The car-maker’s Italian division ordered 600 examples. Car Système Style built about 2500 JP4s between 1981 and 1990.

Citroën 2CV 4x4 by Voisin

Citroën 2CVs are a dime a dozen at classic car shows, but this one stands out from the rest. It’s a four-wheel drive model modified by a small French company named Voisin. Unlike the twin-engined 2CV Sahara, Voisin’s model utilizes a more basic layout which adds a power take-off unit to the four-speed manual transmission, a driveshaft and a rear axle. Company founder Marc Voisin noted he has converted about 680 2CVs to four-wheel drive.

Chevrolet C/K-Series

Fueled by nostalgia, the third generation of Chevrolet’s successful C/K-Series pickup truck is finally retiring and settling into a new life as a starter classic truck. Period-correct paint colors like the brown and beige two-tone pictured here boost the model’s desirability. The C/K-Series trucks are still relatively affordable in the US, but they command a premium abroad due to their scarcity.

Alfa Romeo GTV 1750

No classic car show would be complete without a Bertone-designed Alfa Romeo GTV. Sky-rocketing value have convinced collectors to restore even the roughest examples left, and there’s a common train of thought that stresses a classic Alfa needs to be red. Spotting an un-restored example finished in yellow is appreciably unusual.