MEETINGS
MECHANICAL HERITAGE ACTORS IN AUVERGNE
Discovering the heritage of a region also means meeting its collectors who are also the
actors in the conservation of the material data of our history as are the means of
locomotion such as the automobile which arouse passions as I observed in the cities
of BELLENAVES , CHATEL DE NEUVRE as in MURAT located respectively in the departments of Allier and Cantal in the heart of the AUVERGNE RHONE ALPES region
“Created in 2016 and located on the banks of the Allier between Moulins and Saint Pourçain sur Sioule in CHATEL DE
CHATEL DE NEUVRE Founded in Allier by two vintage vehicle enthusiasts, the Club Passion Auto Retro 03 was a
resounding success from the outset since the 2 initiators of the project were quickly joined by other vintage car
enthusiasts who made it currently, the club has 38 members and a fleet of 40 cars. We mainly welcome vehicles that
are more than 30 years old with a significant number of cars from the 30s, 50s, 60s and 70s taking into account in particular the economic boom of the post-war years with its significant automobile production represented by Renault 4CVs, Traction Avants from the 30s and 50s, Citroën DS including one put into service in 1955 like Peugeot 104, 204 or 304, Méharis and also Renault R8 Gordini as well as more recent cars of more than 20 years that we nickname "The
Young Timers " Being a member of our club is about sharing
a passion for the “Bagnole”
but also experience moments
of conviviality and exchanges as during our outings in past years which led us to travel and visit shimmering places as was the case in Saint Etienne in 2017, in Bourges and Beaune in 2018 and 2019 and more recently in the Morvan and in Beaujolais in the years 2023 and 2024 in parallel with the related events such as La Ronde Bourbonnaise and the 7th
walk in Bourbonnais which took place on May 25 and September 14, 2025. Also an active member of the Auvergne
League for Vintage Vehicles, Passion Auto Retro 03 also participates in exchanges with clubs of enthusiasts of vintage
vehicles whether they are based in Auvergne Rhône Alpes or in other departments of France which are beneficial
beneficial because they allow cooperation and partnerships, particularly at the level of parts mechanics in parallel with
the use of the Internet allowing the dissemination of information exchanges and transfers between members". Marc
Monnier, President of the Club, tells me with a smile and passion.
The Happy Years of the Thirty Glorious Years
After a detour to BELLENAVES located in the heart of Bourbonnais to visit its automobile museum which presents superb collections of vintage vehicles that we enjoy visiting, especially every year during the
Days
European Heritage Days like the 2025 edition on September 20 and 21, 2025, heading south of Auvergne and the Cantal to join MURAT
a charming town of character labeled Town and Crafts in parallel with the network Villes Et Villages Fleuris located in
the heart of the Monts Du Cantal near Puy Mary and Plomb Du Cantal which is also an atypical place for classic cars
as Marine Pignol, communications Manager and cultural affairs at the town hall of Murat tells me "Initially a club
designated the Alagnon torpedo Club and the city of Murat were the first to organize an event presenting vintage
vehicles in the city which met with great success with the public and subsequently initiated the creation of the
association "Murat Mécanique Rétro "still very active in its annual events as was the case during that of Sunday June 8
2025 with the presentation of more than 400 collector vehicles, including motorcycles and buses, on display in the old
quarter as well as to Murat station alongside attractive additional activities for visitors and the public.
noted Marine
Pignol showing me pictures of the 2025 edition on her computer screen. "In short, we want make Murat a reference
place for classic cars, enhanced by a local environment conducive to history and culture" Philippe Andrieu and Jean
Boucher, members of the “Murat Mécanique Rétro” association tells me."Many of the vehicles on display date from
what is known as "The Happy Years of the Thirty Glorious Years" with cars from the 50s, 60s and 70s in addition to the
facilities offered by the remaining stocks of mechanical parts that are easier to find compared to models from the 20s and 30s. We also have a network of partners as part of our cooperation with other collectors clubs alongside other
operations that we carry out, such as exchanges."
Philippe Andrieu tells me, placing a hand on the hood of a 1956 Renault 4 CV. Meeting passionate people who work on exciting projects that are also useful to the community is always pleasant, in addition to the fact that they are the guardians of our heritage and also the curators of our history very
often morning good memories and pleasant nostalgia.
Report: Gabriel PAGE
Photos Credit: Gabriel PAGE/Passion Auto Retro 03/La Montagne/Getty Images
TERROIR AND TRADITIONS
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