When I visit brocantes and flea markets quite often they'll be other attractions besides the regular stalls such as dancing, singing, animal petting stalls, tractor-shows full of beautiful antique machines, or sometimes other vintage vehicles.
The Citroen van below is one of my favourites. These were manufactured from the late-1940s to the beginning of the 1980s. While not particularly attractive to many, and some might even argue their corrugated bodies are nothing more than unsightly, to my eyes there is something alluring about that short snout and little headlight eyes; in France she's affectionately known as the, 'Nez de Cochon' (Pig Nose), which perhaps explains why I like these vans - I love pigs! Unfortunate for me then that these vans fetch high prices even when in what I call 'relic' condition; they're a nice alternative to the much-loved vintage VW camper vans and certainly very different.
And below are some lovely Citroen Traction Avants, manufactured from the early 1930s to the 1950s - they don't make them like these any more! Popular in black as you can see, although there was a burgundy one right on the end.
These cars were very often used by German forces when they occupied France, so it's common to see them in WWII photos, many of which show them in far-flung corners of Europe and enduring all types of terrain and weather conditions. In the photo below the Citroen wears German camouflage but has been recaptured by Allied forces who have quickly adorned the vehicle with a rather crude allied star.
 |
| Photo for conversational purposes only - internet photo. |
More soon......................
