Curbside Classic Outtakes: Petites Voitures De Paris Et Plus

Paul Niedermeyer
by Paul Niedermeyer

I may eventually get around to writing up my epistle from the Paris Auto Show, but then it was incidental to our (first) vacation to the City of Lights. It’s a bit challenging to think of staying inside writing in the midst of this endlessly stimulating, charming and superbly beautiful city. We rented a 6th floor apartment (no elevator) in one of the most colorful old neighborhoods on the Left Bank, St. Germain de Pres. Many of the streets, like ours, is closed to cars. And when there are cars, they’re inevitably small. Suddenly, the Smart seems brilliant. It’s not uncommon to see five or more of them on any given block. And all of them have dings and tears on the their “fender” corners, thanks to the “parking by feel”. They should just put bumper-car bumpers on them all. BTW, that’s a Ligier micro-car in front of the Smart.

There’s a surprising number of original minis in our neighborhood, which is dominated by art galleries, book stores, and of course endless little cafes, restaurants, bakeries, etc. As is all too obvious, the original mini looks almost dwarfed by its modern successors. And this one sports a boat bumper to help protect its fragile grille.

This old Fiat 500 also looks right at home, and makes the very compact (by modern standards) Mercedes A-Class look positively huge.

Here’s an all-too typical parking scenario; in fact it’s almost ubiquitous . How you’re supposed to get your car out, is beyond me. Needless to say, scooters are enormously popular, with drivers of all ages. Velib rental bikes are available. And of course, the Metro is the practical way to get anywhere beyond walking distance.

Yes, I know this is a car site, but since sex is the theme de jour, let’s just say that the “people” watching is more compelling than the cars. I could generate some superb Curbside Classics very quickly, but my subjects might not be as willing.

And yes, I’ve seen several 2 CVs on the road, but none parked yet. There’s even a tour company that uses old 2CVs exclusively. Compelling, except they don’t have room for four passengers.

Since we’re deviating from cars, here’s a couple of quick shots from our balcony, on the Rue de Buci, taken early this Sunday morning. Normally, it’s jammed with people, and the night life from the sidewalk bars and cafes goes on with a din roar until shortly before the daily garbage and delivery trucks start clattering around six. A bit challenging with our street-facing bedroom, even with the French doors closed; remind me not to come back in the heat of the summer without ear plugs.

But everything we could possibly want to consume or look at is available within a block or two, after a quick trot down the six flights stairs:

Here’s the view to the other direction. Enough of my travel log; time to run across the street to the bakery for some goodies.

Paul Niedermeyer
Paul Niedermeyer

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  • Martin schwoerer Martin schwoerer on Oct 04, 2010

    Stingray: it's a Peugeot 107 Ay-dentical-go reviewed here: http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/toyota-aygo-review/

    • Stingray Stingray on Oct 04, 2010

      Thanks. That's a Toyota I could buy. And IIRC, some Chinese company already copied it. I think it was Chery, but not sure.

  • Geggamoya Geggamoya on Oct 04, 2010

    It´s interesting how common the Aygo is, but i very rarely see a 107 or C1 around here. Considering they are basically the same car and the French versions are cheaper, it´s weird. Or maybe it says something about what non-French people think of French cars in general.. Even though it's just a bagde in this case. Anyway, nice pictures. And im sure it's a much more interesting city when you are an adult and not 10 years old as i was when i was there :) I remember that inflatable chairs and penis-shaped pasta was hilarious. And when it rained it really rained, 15cm of water in the hostel lobby was also really fun!

  • MaintenanceCosts It's not a Benz or a Jag / it's a 5-0 with a rag /And I don't wanna brag / but I could never be stag
  • 3-On-The-Tree Son has a 2016 Mustang GT 5.0 and I have a 2009 C6 Corvette LS3 6spd. And on paper they are pretty close.
  • 3-On-The-Tree Same as the Land Cruiser, emissions. I have a 1985 FJ60 Land Cruiser and it’s a beast off-roading.
  • CanadaCraig I would like for this anniversary special to be a bare-bones Plain-Jane model offered in Dynasty Green and Vintage Burgundy.
  • ToolGuy Ford is good at drifting all right... 😉
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