Fougères International Rally: All Under The Sun
Images: Thierry Quédillac
Fields in Brittany and Normandy are very green, which implies a substantial amount of rain to keep them that way. For that reason, the Fougères touring rally, based in these rural areas, usually shows a rather modest climatic performance but, in 2023, participants couldn’t spot a single cloud during the whole rally. A great treat!
![](https://magazine.derivaz-ives.com/content/images/2023/07/2-This-1937-Alvis-bodied-by-Offord-was-an-exceptional-beauty.jpg)
Over 170 plaques were delivered to regularly registered entrants, but at no point in time were there more than 150 cars together, since the rally is à la carte, meaning that each participant can select the various sequences he likes over the four-day event.
![](https://magazine.derivaz-ives.com/content/images/2023/07/3-An-Alvis-TD21-flying-through-the-French-countryside.jpg)
Some hard-working locals may thus only appear on the Sunday, while pensioners from far away would stay for the whole event.
![](https://magazine.derivaz-ives.com/content/images/2023/07/1-Cover---4-Aston-DB2-4-MkII-Coup--Tickford-1956-1.jpg)
The Fougères rally is a purely touring proposition and is traditionally inserted on the FIVA world calendar of events. Created in 1995, its aim is to expose historic vehicle enthusiasts to the under-rated architectural, historic, cultural and… gastronomic heritage of this part of the world.
![](https://magazine.derivaz-ives.com/content/images/2023/07/5-Austin-7-Saloon-1932.jpg)
For the 2023 edition, the 27th since the creation of the event, entrants could enjoy the spa resort of Bagnoles de l’Orne, the Mont Saint-Michel bay, the Avranches historic museum or some private châteaux, greeted by a group of French horn players.
![](https://magazine.derivaz-ives.com/content/images/2023/07/6-Garden-party-at-the-chateau-of-Bois-Cornille.jpg)
All cars were pre-1970 and Delahaye was the 2023 marque of honour. Nearly 40 percent of the cars were pre-war, which is quite an achievement these days. Participants came from half a dozen European countries, as well as from the US and Australia.
![](https://magazine.derivaz-ives.com/content/images/2023/07/7-The-exceotional-1963-Bristol-407-with-Viotti-body.jpg)
The best represented marques were Alvis and Lagonda (18 each, all pre-war for the latter), MG, Citroën and Delahaye.
![](https://magazine.derivaz-ives.com/content/images/2023/07/8-A-CD-Panhard-from-1962-owned-by-Robert-Panhard-himself.jpg)
As always, illustrator Patrick Brunet designed the rally poster, representing a car of the marque of honour in front of the medieval Fougères castle.
![](https://magazine.derivaz-ives.com/content/images/2023/07/9-Inside-Chateau-Felger.jpg)
A jury of experts closely examined the cars during the various exhibits or presentations to the public and delivered awards to impeccably restored or preserved cars.
![](https://magazine.derivaz-ives.com/content/images/2023/07/10-A-magnificent-Rolls-Royce-entering-the-Chateau-Felger.jpg)
A delightful Austin 7 won the pre-war small cars trophy, while a gorgeous Alvis Speed bodied in 1937 by Offord of London snatched the pre-war large cars trophy.
![](https://magazine.derivaz-ives.com/content/images/2023/07/11-A-1948-Delahaye-135MS-with-body-by-Chapron.jpg)
Post-war, the trophies went to a rare CD Panhard, personal property of Robert Panhard, and a spotless Aston-Martin DB2/4 MkII Tickford Coupe.
![](https://magazine.derivaz-ives.com/content/images/2023/07/12-The-other-Delahaye-was-a-235-Coach-from-1954.jpg)
The Mayor of Bagnoles de l’Orne fell for a glorious 1948 Delahaye 135MS Chapron, while his colleague from Avranches spotted a modest 1948 Simca 8 Cabriolet.
The Fougères City Council, partner of the event, rewarded a huge 1929 4½ Litre Bentley from Australia.
![](https://magazine.derivaz-ives.com/content/images/2023/07/13-French-horns-to-welcome-the-participants.jpg)
Laurent Hériou, FIVA Vice President, Technical and Yannick Plantin, technical guru of APPF, the organising club, presented awards to the owners of a spotless 1937 Lagonda LG45 and that of actor Peter Sellers’ unique 1963 Bristol 407, bodied by Viotti, in Torino.
![](https://magazine.derivaz-ives.com/content/images/2023/07/14-A-1964-Jaguar-E-Type-at-the-Mont-Saint-Michel-bay.jpg)
A very good year for the Fougères rally!
![](https://magazine.derivaz-ives.com/content/images/2023/07/15-A-Lagonda-LG45-from-1937.jpg)
The APPF team is all set for the next edition, to take place on May 24th-27th of 2024 in the Cherbourg-Cotentin area.
![](https://magazine.derivaz-ives.com/content/images/2023/07/16-A-1948-Simca-8-cabriolet.jpg)
Technical trophies:
o Austin 7 Saloon 1932 (UK)
o Alvis Speed 25 SC Offord 1937 (USA)
o CD Panhard Coach Rally 1962 (F)
o Aston Martin DB2/4 MkII Coupe Tickford 1956 (F)
![](https://magazine.derivaz-ives.com/content/images/2023/07/17-Cars-lined-up-at-Bagnoles-de-l_Orne.jpg)
FIVA trophies:
o Lagonda LG45 Coupé 1937 (UK)
o Bristol 407 Viotti 1963 (UK)
• Mayors « coup de cœur »
o Bagnoles de l’Orne : Delahaye 135MS Chapron 1948 (F)
o Fougères : Bentley 4.5litre 1929 (AUS)
o Avranches : Simca 8 cabriolet 1948 (F)
![](https://magazine.derivaz-ives.com/content/images/2023/07/18-Cars-at-the-Mont-Saint-Michel-race-course.jpg)
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