In leaving Paris for the winter I gave up seeing two events that I normally would really enjoy attending. The first event would've been in January with la traversee de Paris. The second would've been in February with the Retromobile show. Both tend to be filled with cars that'll make motorheads turn. I often dream of owning a vintage automobile after seeing so many great things running the streets of the city.
It should come as no surprise that I've over-compensated a bit in coming to Nice. I've been looking for every motor-related event and museum I can find along the cote d'Azur. A little diligence with elbow-grease and I've hit paydirt.
Walking back from a visit to Coco Beach I spied the garages of the Classic Car Club of Nice. I enquired to see if I could take photos. Before Jude and I could see what there was to be seen a little Teckel a Poil Dur came up to us to say "hello" and he captured our hearts. He is such a sweet little dog. After our first visit we've taken to stopping by once a week to pay our Favorite Dog a wee-visit.
Somehow I came across an affiche for a motorcycle show and decided I had to go. We boarded the Bus 100 en direction Menton one cold Sunday afternoon to go see a few old motorcycles in Roquebrune Cap Martin. There is a club in the area that plays host to a salon de motos.
The very first motorcycle I saw on entering the show was a fabulous Egli Vincent. Words escape me. There are no descriptions worthy of the beauty of that beast. It was the very first time I've ever seen one in the flesh.
After spending an hour at the show we returned to Nice where I plotted and planned another adventure.
Not long after the salon de motos I came across a description of a monthly rassemblement out in Saint Laurent du Var. Leaving Jude with our American Guest, Missy, I jumped a TER from Riquier out to the other side of Nice. It was a bit of a hike down to the port, but I found the cars I was looking for.
It didn't take long for me to uncover a very fine Alfa Romeo 1300 Sprint Junior. Oh, she was beautiful. Her owner was sharing his pride and joy with several couples who stopped to ask questions, and I got to take a peek at the motor. The Junior was correct in nearly every possible way.
Soon there was a deep rumble as only an American V8 from the '60's can rumble and, sure enough, up drove a bright red Shelby Cobra 427. She slid in not too far from a wonderful blue '68 'Vette. The French seem to love American heavy iron.
All this happened in the first month our being here. With these out of the way, perhaps we can return to exploring a bit of Nice, right? Alas, there's the Prince's private automobile collection in Monaco that I must go see.
Ah, the never-ending glories of personal transportation. I was certainly not prepared for any of this.
Have I mentioned the Ferraris and Lamborghinis that pass below our front window that overlooks the Moyen Corniche?
It should come as no surprise that I've over-compensated a bit in coming to Nice. I've been looking for every motor-related event and museum I can find along the cote d'Azur. A little diligence with elbow-grease and I've hit paydirt.
Walking back from a visit to Coco Beach I spied the garages of the Classic Car Club of Nice. I enquired to see if I could take photos. Before Jude and I could see what there was to be seen a little Teckel a Poil Dur came up to us to say "hello" and he captured our hearts. He is such a sweet little dog. After our first visit we've taken to stopping by once a week to pay our Favorite Dog a wee-visit.
Somehow I came across an affiche for a motorcycle show and decided I had to go. We boarded the Bus 100 en direction Menton one cold Sunday afternoon to go see a few old motorcycles in Roquebrune Cap Martin. There is a club in the area that plays host to a salon de motos.
The very first motorcycle I saw on entering the show was a fabulous Egli Vincent. Words escape me. There are no descriptions worthy of the beauty of that beast. It was the very first time I've ever seen one in the flesh.
After spending an hour at the show we returned to Nice where I plotted and planned another adventure.
Not long after the salon de motos I came across a description of a monthly rassemblement out in Saint Laurent du Var. Leaving Jude with our American Guest, Missy, I jumped a TER from Riquier out to the other side of Nice. It was a bit of a hike down to the port, but I found the cars I was looking for.
It didn't take long for me to uncover a very fine Alfa Romeo 1300 Sprint Junior. Oh, she was beautiful. Her owner was sharing his pride and joy with several couples who stopped to ask questions, and I got to take a peek at the motor. The Junior was correct in nearly every possible way.
Soon there was a deep rumble as only an American V8 from the '60's can rumble and, sure enough, up drove a bright red Shelby Cobra 427. She slid in not too far from a wonderful blue '68 'Vette. The French seem to love American heavy iron.
All this happened in the first month our being here. With these out of the way, perhaps we can return to exploring a bit of Nice, right? Alas, there's the Prince's private automobile collection in Monaco that I must go see.
Ah, the never-ending glories of personal transportation. I was certainly not prepared for any of this.
Have I mentioned the Ferraris and Lamborghinis that pass below our front window that overlooks the Moyen Corniche?
