From Paris to Andorra via La Baule, Limoges, Bordeaux and Pau, the 31st edition is fast approaching. Discover without further delay the new list of competitors and some of the flagship vehicles of this long awaited rally.
Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Groupe 4 (1972)
In 2022, we will celebrate the 50thanniversary of the 365 GTB4 Gr. IV Ferrari’s double in 1972 and Jean-Claude Andruet’s victory in the Tour de France Automobile driving the one already nicknamed “Daytona”. A success confirmed with 3 victories in the GT class in 72,73 and 74 at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Considered as the last GT cars built for competition, they could also perform very well on the road, hence their numerous participations in the Tour de France Automobile. A prototype, 15 cars prepared by Ferrari, eight by private teams and recognized by the brand were built. For this 31stedition, seven cars are expected at the start on 25 April, five of them already enroled in Competition and Regularity.
Panhard Dyna X87 (1953)
Charles Beau de Lomenie enters his Dyna X87 Panhard with co-driver Stéphane Philippeau. Launched in 1946 at the Paris Motor Show, Panhard marketed its first production car. It has a very small 850cc engine equipped with the famous twin-cylinder Panhard, producing 38HP. Its aluminum bodywork and low weight allowed it to achieve a decent performance between 100 and 130 km/h. Although not the fastest race car, the Dyna X87 Panhard is a regular in competitions. Indeed, various versions of this car will be seen on track, between the 24 Hours of Le Mans where the battle with the 4CV Renault in 1950 was harsh, or the Tour de France where it ranked fourth in the overall classification!
BMW Isetta 600 (1957)
In the “small” cars category to follow this year, we will discover the 600 Isetta BMW, a three-wheeled model that still accommodates four people! As unusual as it is exceptional, this mini-car was produced in 35,000 units between 1957 and 1959. The legs will be long for Marie-Christine Perin and co-pilot. Nevertheless, they will be able to enjoy the magnificent landscapes and we will be pleased to see them travelling along the roads from Paris to Andorra.
Volvo PV 544 (1960)
The 1960 PV 544 Volvo is entered by Peter Kappelle and Marie Tourneur. This small 2-door sedan is a model derived from the mythical PV 444 and produced alongside the Amazon series released in 1958. The particularity of the PV 544 comes from the unprecedented reliability of its mechanics and its legendary engine, the B18 (1,800 cc) which develops 75 HP. It is even said that some have reached 3 million kilometres! Coupled with its performance, the PV 544 was a real success in rallying between 1959 and 1965.
Porsche 911 Carrera 3.0 RSR (1975)
Since its beginnings in competition, in 1965 until today, the 911, a real winning machine, is one of motor-racing flagship cars. This year, we will closely monitor the times of the 911 Carrera 3.0 RSR from 1975, a model specially designed for competition. The “Christine Laure“ 911 presented here is enrolled by Richard Hywel Evans and Richard Chapman. This car is not unknown to us with its three participations in the Tour de France in 1975, 1976 and 1978. In 1976, it was Thierry Sabine, the famous driver behind the creation of the Paris-Dakar in 1978, who was at the wheel of this racing bomb.
Ligier JS2 (1975)
After the impressive Matra MS 650, Mr John of B will be back this year with the brand’s most emblematic car before the Formula 1 adventure, a JS2 Ligier. With 460 horsepower under the hood, this rocket is a regular in rallies and circuit races: Mugello, Dijon, Monza, Spa or even the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In 2018, we were lucky enough to have 2 Ligiers, a 1973 JS2 in BP colors and the famous JS 2 DFV in a 1975 Le Mans configuration that we will be seeing again this year.
