Pioneers of preservation: France's original amis des teuf-teuf

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If you'd asked me when the preservation movement for early cars really started in earnest, I would have said in the late 1920s, based on a few landmark events:

• 1912 - An attempt was made to establish a permanent exhibition of early cars, first on Oxford Street and then at the Crystal Palace but, after the interruption of war, there was insufficient interest in resuming the project and a handful of the cars selected for preservation were later destroyed
• 1927 - The Daily Sketch asked what were the oldest cars still in use, and the first 'Old Crocks Race' from London to Brighton was staged for those which had thus far been maintained
• 1930 - After the fourth Brighton Run, the Veteran Car Club is founded for the sake of preserving and promoting cars of a type produced prior to 1919.

It will be noted, however, that I am an Englishman, and my knowledge only extends as far as English preservation efforts. Of the preservation movement abroad I am shamefully ignorant, but I might have presumed things on the Continent were progressing at much the same pace. All the same, I am acquainted with the Club des Teuf-Teuf, France's own veteran car club, which was founded in 1935.

This photograph, however, has opened my eyes to what appears to be a far earlier group of preservationists. The assembly of veteran and perhaps a few early Edwardian cars took place in Touraine, and the year is thought to be circa 1920. Unfortunately, we have no further details, but we are inclined to think that it shows a rally organised by a motor club of some description. It may have formed part of some sort of Bastille Day celebration. There certainly seems to be a patriotic element to the event, as several of the cars are sporting the French tricolore.

Now we come to the cars. Who's going to have a go at identifying them? The one on the far left might be a Darracq, and maybe the veteran with the coil radiator is, too, but the rest pose something of a challenge for one who isn't as well up on French cars as he ought to be. They've all been captured very clearly, though, so we're sure it'll be an easy task for our French veteran enthusiasts.

It would also be nice to know more about the event itself. Does anyone have any knowledge of any rallies taking place for early cars c.1920? A bit more detail with regard to the location would be nice, too. The church is pretty distinctive - is anyone able to pinpoint it to a particular town or village?

Words: Zack Stiling
 

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