July 14, 2014

  • My oldest cars / July 14th,National Day in France

    Mes plus ancienne automobiles

    My oldest cars

     

    Engkish version below the pictures

    • 1960 – 1964  la 4 CV Renault  The 4 horsepowers Renault ( the number of horsepowers in France is a an administrative word for the taxes . In the reality the power of the car is much higher . This notice is the same for the following cars )

    Cette photo a été prise lendemain de notre mariage le 18 février 1961. Nous partions dire bonjour à ma grand ‘ mère . Il y avait avec nous un oncle (qui prit la photo), une tante et un cousin. . On pouvait déjà mettre du monde dans cette petite voiture d ‘ occasion que j ‘ avais achetée quelque temps plus tôt avanr de partir en Algérie. Sur cette petite voiture le moteur était à l ‘ arrière et le petit coffre à l ‘ avant !! Pour nous deux cette petite auto suffisait largement . Et quand notre premier enfant Carole naquit en 1962 c ‘ était encore facile . Pas de problèmes .

    4 Cv Renault with Michel and Janine            Photo taken on the 19 february 1961

    This picture was taken the tomorrow of our wedding on the 18 february 1961 . We started to say hello to my grand mother . There were with us an uncle ( who took the picture ) , an aunt and a cousin . We could locate some people in that small used car that I had bought a few months before in 1960 gefore to go to Algeria . This small car had the motor on the back and the boot ( trunk ) was in front . For both Janine and me this car was largely sufficient . And when our first child Carole was born in 1962, it was easy yet . No problem !

     

    • 1964 – 1969  La Panhard PL 17        5 CV

    Notre second enfant était annoncé pour Décembre 1964 . Nous avions à acheter une voiture plus grande : une Panhard PL  17 neuve . cette voiture n ‘ avait pas de sièges séparés du tout , même devant . I y avait deux banquettes et le levier des vitesses était au tableau de bord .  C ‘ était une voiture à traction avant avec un moteur flat- twins bi- cylindre rfroidi par air . Très en avavce sur son temps . Elle était rapide , confortable et il y avait de la place . Nous avons transporté dans cette voiture Carole , Thierry né en 1964 , Véronique née en 1966 et Pierre né en Avril 1968 . Nous étions trois devant et trois derrière , sans oublié le chien arrivé en 1966 . Mais nous avions atteint les limites de capacité .

    Panhard PL 17 with  Janine : double elegance                         photo taken in 1968

    Our second child was announced for December 1964 . We had to buy a much larger car : a Panhard P L 17 brand new . This car had not separated seats at all even in the front . There were two ” banchs ” and the lever gear was on the board . It was a car with front wheels drive with a air – cooled motor bi cylinder flat- twin . Very in advance at this time . It was speedy , comfortable and with much space . We drove with this Panhard Carole , Thierry ( born in 1964 ) Véronique ( born in 1966 ) and Pierre born in April 1968 . We were 3 in the front and 3 in the back without to forget the dog Netta  arrived in 1966  . But we had reached the limit of space

     

    • 1969 – 1971 La Renault R16       ( 9 CV horsepowers but see my notice above )

    Nous avons acheté une Renault R 16 neuve plus large et plus puissante que la Panhard . C ' était une Renault haut de game Nous avions plus   d ‘ aisance .Mais nous venions juste de l ‘ acheter que notre 5 ème enfant s ‘ annonçait Isabelle née le 12 Août 1971 . Nous avons revendu la Renault pour acheter une voiture réellement  adaptée aux grandes familles :

    Renault R 16 decorated for a wedding . The young boy is our son Thierry .He is 6 years and half old .( he is 49, now )

     We bought a Renault R 16 brand new at the top , wider and more powerful than the Panhard . We had more space . but we had just bought that our 5 th child announced herself : Isabelle born on the 12th of august 1971 . We had to sell the Renault to buy a car really adapted to the large families

     

    • 1971 – 1983 The familial Citroën  ID 20 ( 11 CV )

    Nous transportions facilement nos cinq enfants et le chien . Il y avait 6 sièges derrière .Et on mettait 9 valises sur la galerie de toit pour partir en vacance . Notre 6ème enfant Jean – Baptiste né en 1974 avait encore sa place . Le chien se logeait où il pouvait .Cette voiture était une traction avant et en plus elle avait la célèbre suspension hydro – pneumatique Citroen . On pouvait charger , elle ne s ‘ écrasait pas . Nous avions l ‘ impression de rouler sur un coussin d ‘ air .

    We carried easily our five children ( whom Isabelle ) and the dog . There were 6 seats back . And we put 9 suit cases on the roof where a roof rack .was intalled in the factory . Our 6th child  , Jean – Baptiste born in 1974 had his place yet . The dog located where he could . This car was with front wheels drive and more , it had the famous suspension hydro – pneumatique ( oil + air ) Citroën . We can load , the car didn’ t crush on the ground . We had the impression to drive on a cushon of air . It was a pleasure to drive this car.

    ______________________

    Après cette merveilleuse auto  nous avons encore eu 6 automobiles Citroën souvent grandes  mais la liste deviendrait fastidieuse

    mais il peut -être intéressant de connaître leur prix à ces époques ( pour quelques voitures achetées neuves )

    Panhard 30 Janvier 1964 : 9184 francs soit en euros actuels 1400 euros ( 1900 dollars US)

    la grosse Citroën, familiale Décembre 1971: 24326 francs soit en euros actuels 3408 euros mais qui serait vendue de nos jours autour de 29000 euros

    famimiale 1971
    Bill  of the familial car  facture de la familiale

      Afterwards we still got cars of the brand Citroën, always will sized but It would be boring to make this list of cars
    But il can be interesting to know their price at those times for some new cars  ( not used cars )

     Panhard 30 Janvier 1964 :9184 francs converted  in our present euros 1400 euros, converted in USD 1900 dollars at this time. Nowaday this car would be priced around 29000 euros or more .

     The big famial Citroën,  Décembre 1971: 24326 francs converted in our present euros : 3708 euros (  5309  dollars ). Nowadays, this car would be sold around 29000 euros ( 34500 dollars )

     

     This gives matter to ponder on the value of the money along the time .

    Ceci donne matière à réfléchir sur la valeur de la monnaie au fil du temps.

    ___________________________________________________________

    14 Juillet 2014

    July 14th  2014

    Today July 14 th is National Day in France ( known to the US under the name of Bastile Day )  . This morning a  big military parade attracted the crowd on the Champs Elysées in Paris . And it was also the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the war I in 1914. Soldiers and flags of   almost 70 countries that participated to this war were present in the parade . All fighters for freedom . And how many young men  have been killed ? Millions of them .

    http://www.francetvinfo.fr/france/14-juillet/video-14-juillet-defile-pour-le-centenaire-de-la-premiere-guerre-mondiale_647135.html
    Aujourd'hui 14 Juillet est fête nationale en France ( connue en Amérique sous le nom de Bastille Day . Ce matin un grand défilé militaire sur les Champs Elysées à Paris a attiré une foule énorme. Et c' était aussi le 100ème anniversaire du début de la première guerre mondiale en 1914. Des soldats et les drapeaux de près de 70 pays qui participèrent à cette guerre étaient présents . Les combattants de la liberté . Et combien de de jeunes hommes ont été tués dans cette guerre ? des millions !

Comments (30)

  • Dear Michel,

    What a great post! I LOVED seeing the cars. My uncle had a Citroen in the early '60's and we loved riding it. It was small, and only four people could sit in it comfortably.
    I loved the picture of you and Janine on the eve of your wedding. She is so beautiful and you look so dashing for the great event the next day.
    The picture of your son is such a vintage kind of photo with him standing alongside the new Renault. How good.
    Unbelievable the price we paid five decades ago for good cars. It is impossible to imagine getting anything for that kind of money now.

    Love,
    Zakiah.

  • What wonderful photos of your memories and my first car was a 1957 chef.
    If we would have known how much we would be paying for cars today the shock would have kept us bicycling and busing.

  • TY so very much for your comment on my photo this buds for you.
    The rose bud is growing in the community garden out back in our apt. complex.

  • Nice!! I loved looking at the pictures, of the cars....Kind of brings back fond memories of the cars, my Dad drove, when we were young children....

  • Hi Michel, I enjoyed this post. :-)
    Are these all French made autos?

    The first car reminds me of the Volkswagon's that were popular here. They were tiny, and had motor in back and 'boot';-) in front also.

    Janine looks wonderful posing with the cars. I especially liked the day-after wedding photo, and the one of your young son, looking so dapper in his fine dress clothes.

    I giggled when I saw the progression to the... what we would call, the station wagon... the largest, last car, pictured. :-)

    What a fun trip back in time. Thanks for sharing.
    Hope you are having a blessed day,
    Lynn

  • yeah, the price of today's cars is more than houses were back then ~ kinda scary ~ :)

  • Wonderful photos and Janine looks lovely, like a model posing with the cars.

  • My first car cost $3965 (American). When we sold it we figured it was one dollar a day. Of course the latest car was not anywhere near that price... Love the photos!

  • Another delightful bit of history I know your grandchildren and their children will enjoy. I enjoyed it too.

  • Hi Michel.

    I loved this post about your cars. We drove mostly old used cars for much of our marriage, but they met our needs. I love being able to buy new cars now.

    Those are beautiful cars and one was very big. That was nice for family and travel.

    blessings

    frank

  • Mornin Glorie...it seems they made a car for all your family sizes and Netta too of course! I have been absent for quite awhile, seems life gets busier and busier...I have missed you and my xanga friends very much, hopefully things will be back to normal soon! ilym

  • What wonderful cars and memories!
    Love the last photo...and thinking about all the kids, and the doggie, piling in for a ride! :-)
    HUGS!!! :-)

  • sporty cars.
    I bet at the time it seemed like a lot.
    I remember my first home was $5,500 furniture included. LOL
    Payments of $50 a month

    • I agree with you, it is difficult to compare the prices in 1964 or 1971 with the prices nowadays. The value of the money changed
      and we have to measure the prices with a different scale .

  • Ty so very much for your comments on my post of photos of the alley.

  • I was just learning about 'Day of Remembrance' last night... and the wearing of the blue cornflower in France. :-)

  • Gee Michel my husband had just purchased a Renault and got a shipment overseas. I could not drive shift, tour unaccompanied. So he sold it to his brother and his wife wrecked it.

    ryc: Michel you did not cause me any concern about the cat. I was explaining I agreed with you! what upsets me are people who dump them. I love cats more than dogs I think so I am sensitive. I can no longer have a cat.

  • Hi Michel...
    ryc: I listen to the Salve Regina :-D , but I did not realize it was the same as what I had posted. I posted a common prayer. :-)

  • Ty so very much for your well wishes for Td on my post about sundowners and his dementia. I am blessed with in home nurse and in home caregivers.

  • Love the old cars but wondering about the taxes. It sounds like you said the bigger the horsepower the more the taxes? Going down memory lanes is fun but sometimes sad because time is slipping by so fast. :-)

  • This blog brings back lots of memories of our family car. How times have changed , I remember Damian being in the back of the car in just has baby basket. Even when Louise was little she loved to sit on the arm rest in the back of her grandad's car, now George and Vincent are well strapped into the car in their special car seats

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  • I enjoyed seeing the photos of your past automobiles.

  • Une histoire familiale et automobile magnifiquement présentée. Merci Michel!

    Chez nous, une Renault 12 de 73-77 au Caire; une Lancia Beta de 77-81 à Barcelone; Berne ensuite sans voiture utilisant les transports en commun ou louant quelques fois un véhicule; puis Ottawa avec un Chrysler Voyageur + une petite Plymouth permettant de mener les enfants au Lycée Français; à Marseille une Renault Espace, revendue par la suite à Stockholm suite à quelques pannes et remplacée par un nouveau Chrysler Voyageur; New York de 97-2001 sans voiture; Stuttgart avec un 3ème Chrysler Voyageur; Hong Kong sans voiture; puis Barcelone avec une Mercedes Klass B, très pratique et dont nous sommes encore très heureux aujourd'hui. Voili, voilà ... et j'ajouterai encore pour la petite histoire, la première voiture de mes parents était en 1963 une Lancia Flavia (15'000 frs CH) qui était un peu délicate mais faisait la fierté de mon papa qui la soignait bien et nous permit plusieurs voyages découvertes jusqu'à Paris et même Londres en 1969. Avec une banquette avant où souvent nous emmenions des amis et bien sûr sans ceintures de sécurité ... Elle fut remplacée par 2 Saab.

    Amitiés souvenirs

  • About your comment on the 109 grandchildren? Yes, they must work hard! They have a store and a farm they run too. I think their children and grandchildren help them! :-) Makes me feel tired.

  • Fascinating to see those old cars. Citroens and other French cars always seemed strangely designed to me. In Colombia there were a few Citroens and a lot of Simcas and Renaults, especially the Renault 4.

  • What fun to see your cars. It's like a history lesson. And to compare costs from then to now--almost frightening!
    Your previous post about berries made me hungry! And thirsty! Homemade treats are always the best!
    And about WWI: truly horrendous. And the peace didn't last. We're there yet scars on the land from this conflict when you were young?
    Our vacation at the National parks was very uplifting and energizing. Nature has given us so much to love.

  • Again dear Michel... such a very enjoyable post to read and to see your cars... and the history about your family as relates to them!
    I'm very late coming to wish to you a good National Day in France. War is always so hard, and so costly ... even when necessary and noble.
    Love,
    Carolyn

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