Absent for two years, Les Puces Nantaises, held in La Beaujoire, hence the nickname “Bourse de La Beaujoire”, have been relaunched for the 22nd edition by the usual Asso des “Vaillantes Pétarelles de l’Ouest”. The VPO group has not been spared the reduction of its active members. So we had to roll up our sleeves to bring their favorite event back to life. Exhibitors, clubs, the public, enthusiasts of old mechanics from all walks of life helped us to forget those dark years.
You are there at Parc Expo, Au Grand Palace of La Beaujoire…Let’s go for the day, for the Chips 22 Nantes.
Let’s start with the La Beaujoire Stock Exchange
This is the most coveted part of the event and kicks off at 8 o’clock. For your cycles, motorcycles or vintage cars, there are numerous used and new spare parts. Like the Fodot family of Tours, who specialize in old parts and reworks, some exhibitors have come from far away.
Abundance towards Cycles and Motorcycles
The Puces Nantaises have quite a reputation among bargain hunters in the West. Whether it’s two-wheeler parts, motorized or not, there’s something for everyone. Because it must be said that cars sometimes take second place on the La Beaujoire Stock Exchange. A few photos here and there…
Make way for auto parts
These famous and very specific pieces will always be missing, but with such a choice, it may be possible to find the rare pearl. Whether it’s a story of upholstery restoration, or electricity, here are, among others, the specialists.
In this way, Documents/Toys/Decorations
We must not forget them. At the Bourse de La Beaujoire, as in the other exchanges, we are not ONLY looking for coins. Like everywhere, we seek the true, the experienced, the essential… But now we find beautiful things that are not lacking in interest.
The La Beaujoire Stock Exchange is also the Expo des Clubs
It is on Level 2 that the Expo takes shape. This year the theme is open to old vehicle clubs. The Western Region is quite well stocked in the field, so let’s take a closer look.
Let’s start with the two-wheeler clubs, the Valiant Petarelle Club of the West being a mixed club with a majority of bikers. Let’s be fair in approaching these beautiful mechanics on display.
Three clubs share the reserved space, first of all the Amicale des Vieux Guidons Nantais, theAVGN.
Several beautiful cars animate this stand of the Bourse de La Beaujoire. We must have noticed this English woman Unparalleled G80, this harley davidson D45 from 1929, this one Triumph of Rickman T140. He recalls that the two ancestors, the BSA extension from the 1920s and Peugeot Brothers of 1905, have not escaped us.
In Airbus Nantes motorcycle club, there is one that has not gone unnoticed. A nice monster with a displacement of 1043 cm³, with 2 overhead camshafts. It’s your turn to admire this beautiful panel of motorcycles, including this superb 6-cylinder Honda-Martin CB extension. Another nice motorcycle noticed, this one Motobecane sports car, a 1976 124cc LT3 coupe.
We conclude this exhibition with ” Old Swamp Engines ». The Club has exhibited some famous ones at the Bourse de La Beaujoire, including this pairing Motocomfort.
As for cars, we took advantage of a dozen clubs during the Bourse de La Beaujoire.
the Club Matraassociated with the Amicale 530 and the Club Djet, it colors the event with a beautiful array of vehicles. baghera, moray eel530, Rancho and two Djets.
Around the club tree camwhich makes us discover in particular a Launch Beta HPE it’s a Alpine Renault A310 V6 version.
L’Ideal Friendly/DS stands out with two generations of DSincluding a replica Ivanoff convertible… and a magnificent skewer of SM.
L’DOES (Alpine Grand Ouest) exhibited two extraordinary cars at the La Beaujoire Stock Exchange. First a youngtimer model, a Renault R25 top of the range, the Baccara version… Then a sports competition, a Alpine Renault V6Turbo European Cup.
In Club Bretagne Florida/Caravelletwo beautiful Renaults Caravel 1100 convertible, then Renault Florida, they quickly make us forget the bad weather of the weekend.
The Workshop of Time, portrays us, the evolution of a restoration, through three vehicles. First with a chassis/engine of MGA extension 1957, and still a hardworking one Citroën B14 G of 1928 well finished, then a terminal phase with Citroen 2cv France 3, just got back on wheels.
On the stand ABC (Alpine Bretagne Club) an Alpine GTA is also presented to us. Here is the most advanced version of the car, the Turbo in its Le Mans series.
Motorcycles, cars, but the Bourse de La Beaujoire also offered interesting utility vehicles on display. Two Clubs have centered their theme on our dear old work vehicles.
Still no retirement for them, indeed they are back in service. The Retro Peugeot Atlantique Association (HARP) presents us with a covered model 203 ua pickup 504 dandelion and a fantastic find in a Peugeot barn 403 “Packet of Tobacco”, former Red Cross ambulance. FYI, its name “pack of tobacco” is due to the cubic shape of its rear case, which recalled the gray pack of rolling tobacco of the time.
Retro car Nantes Atlantic (THE ARNO) as for him, three French brands are in the spotlight with a station wagon peugeot 204a rare Citroën Traction in commercial version, then a model Renault Estafette extensive and covered, equally rare in the West.
My favorite is on the Club Salmson side
First off, let’s salute the merits of this one Salmon Clubwhich at each Bourse de La Beaujoire rewards us not only with historical documents but also, like this year, with a new car on display.
It is a Cyclecar version (car under 350kg) Salmon AL 22 of 1922 which is being honored this year. Apart from its somewhat modern interior, the car is quite complete with its leather in very good condition, inside the tiny doors, and its dissolved acetylene lighting system, placed on the running board.
In their Stand, thanks to period documents, we witness the history of Salmon AL3 of 1924 by Monsieur Hulot, during the filming of the film “Mr. Hulot’s Vacation”… But ! Could the Club rebuild this car?
In short
This is a very good edition of Chips from Nantes / Bag of La Beaujoire. We regret a certain lack of lighting in this Grand Palais, just to highlight the organizers of such an exhibition. Rediscovering this world of old mechanics has, in a certain sense, comforted us for this beginning of the year. Best wishes to the group of Valiant Petarelles of the West.
Let’s start with photos… See you soon.