by "Clemsie McKenzie" (thestirringcolumn)
Published 05/22/2017 at 13:02
by "Clemsie McKenzie" (thestirringcolumn)
Published 05/22/2017 at 13:02
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STARS: 8
You don’t know “fine” until you’ve experienced “Classic Rolls-Royce Meet-up In Sunny French Countryside” fine, my personal favorite Fine brand.
Yesterday I went to a meet of the French branch of the RREC, the Rolls-Royce Enthusiast’s Club, which is of course the official RR (and Bentley) owner’s club.
There weren’t too many cars, just about a dozen or so. But I kinda appreciate that, since it left me time to spend up close and personal with each car.
Now, this isn’t exactly the kind of gritty, Oppo-like meet that I usually enjoy more, but my god was it a fine day. Perfect weather, a surprising variety of cars (as much as you can given the theme of the meet), and gorgeous locations nestled about 30mn east of Paris. I grew up not very far from that area, but I had absolutely no idea the places we went to even existed. Really great job by the gentleman who set about picking our itinerary for the day.
We first met up at a very impressive chateau built by one of France’s richest families in the early 20th century. The gravel alley, the impecable grass and the whole park were a perfect setting for such a refined group of automobiles.
After a brief tour of the cars (and their servants) we set off to our next location, an old farm reconverted into a very lovely stable.
After a brief tour of the place it was time to move our little group through some narrow countryside roads to our lunch location, itself quite fitting of our car aristocracy status.
And after a couple of hours spent eating a great meal, chatting with the owners and circling each car like a famished bird of prey, we started the startlingly silent engines and headed to our final destination for the day. Honestly I have never witnessed a quieter classic car meet. These put hybrids to shame.
We gathered our esteemed herd of noble steeds (sorry I must have caught something) in a 14th century castle, in which a dude actually sort of lives, with no electricity or even properly sealed windows. Fascinating discovery, and again, perfectly fitting of our pack!
And after that, it was time to go home, mesmerized by all that luxury. Truly one the finest ways to spend a Sunday.
As usual, to see more pics from that day you can check out my album on Flickr:
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"arl" (arl1968)
05/22/2017 at 13:20, STARS: 1
Very cool story and pics. Tre’ beautiful! Now I’m off to AutoTrader to look up used Rolls Royces.
"Clemsie McKenzie" (thestirringcolumn)
05/22/2017 at 13:21, STARS: 0
Thanks! And be careful, that sounds like a dangerous road...
"fintail" (fintail)
05/22/2017 at 13:29, STARS: 0
Maybe a few ex-USA cars here, by the bumpers and sidemarkers? Not sure if they were a thing elsewhere.
Old Corniches and 90s Continentals are quite stylish to me, too bad about the running costs. If you have to ask, you can’t afford it :)
"Clemsie McKenzie" (thestirringcolumn)
05/22/2017 at 13:32, STARS: 0
Yes there were a couple ex-US cars there, because it was one of the cheaper ways to get LHD here as I understand it. And yeah, I’m a big Continental and Turbo R fan, but to think of what it would take to live with one is quite... humbling.
"BvdV - The Dutch Engineer" (dutchengineer)
05/22/2017 at 13:49, STARS: 1
Looks like you had an exquisite outing, with all the splendid machinery. (See I’m adapting to the fancy-ness) I didn’t know the 20/25 is black/brown, looks quite unusual but very fitting to a Rolls Royce.
Also, I saw a Rolls Royce Silver Seraph today, which was a welcome surprise to see, as I expected it to be the more common Bentley Arnage. Newer Rolls Royces are quite a common sight(like 1 a week), as Eindhoven is home to the Netherlands’ only Rolls Royce dealership, but late pre-BMW ones, like the Silver Seraph, are a rare sight.
"Clemsie McKenzie" (thestirringcolumn)
05/22/2017 at 13:54, STARS: 2
I love this era of luxury car! I do have more of a penchant for Bentleys though, but I love that they look relatively normal from the outside. Luxury sleeper! We don’t see many on the roads though, and I’m sure reliability has
nothing
to do with that...
"arl" (arl1968)
05/22/2017 at 14:08, STARS: 0
I’m amazed at the number of 1980's and 1990's used Rolls there are for under 30K that (look like) they’re in great shape. I assume the cost of entry is low, but the cost of ownership is sky-high on these magnificent old beasts.
"AuthiCooper1300" (rexrod)
05/22/2017 at 14:12, STARS: 0
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A fine example of “the right crowd and no crowding”, I daresay.
"Clemsie McKenzie" (thestirringcolumn)
05/22/2017 at 14:12, STARS: 0
Yeah that’s pretty much it! They all sounds like “why buy a new Prius when you could get bankrupt by an old Rolls” Tavarish special kind of deal. But on the days they work, I assume it’s all worth it.
"Clemsie McKenzie" (thestirringcolumn)
05/22/2017 at 14:14, STARS: 1
Exactly! And the diversity was very surprising. From 1934 to the nineties with pretty much everything in between, which is pretty incredible given how few we were.
"AuthiCooper1300" (rexrod)
05/22/2017 at 14:16, STARS: 0
Old Bentleys (OK,
Royces too, if you have to insist)
were proper motors. Nowadays, however...
"Clemsie McKenzie" (thestirringcolumn)
05/22/2017 at 14:20, STARS: 0
I do love modern Bentleys too. Not that much of a fan of the Continental or the Bentayga, but hey as long as they bankroll the company, I’m fine with the Mulsannes of this world!
"AuthiCooper1300" (rexrod)
05/22/2017 at 14:31, STARS: 0
We can agree to disagree on that one. I am happy that Bentley (or Rolls-Royce, for that matter) do continue to exist, but I deeply dislike like the direction they have taken.
(On the other hand, that’s more or less what the Cricklewood chaps started saying about the Derby gang a few decades ago so...)
"DipodomysDeserti" (dipodomysdeserti)
05/22/2017 at 14:55, STARS: 0
Is that a John Deere tractor in one of those pics?
"Kiltedpadre" (kiltedpadre)
05/22/2017 at 14:56, STARS: 1
Reminds me of watch James May’s first appearance on TG. He talks about buying an 80's Bentley after realizing he could find one for the same price as a Ford Mondeo. He goes over the finer points of owning and driving it. Then cuts to him in the studio talking about all the various reasons it was such a terrible idea.
"Clemsie McKenzie" (thestirringcolumn)
05/22/2017 at 15:26, STARS: 1
Yes it is! As a matter of fact, my father in law works at a John Deere factory here in France.
"Clemsie McKenzie" (thestirringcolumn)
05/22/2017 at 15:29, STARS: 0
Well, disagreeing is pretty much what Oppo’s for anyway!
"fintail" (fintail)
05/22/2017 at 21:12, STARS: 0
No doubt, many were sold here, and they are unwanted today.
I knew a guy who had an early (67) Shadow. Black on biscuit/beige, excellent body and pristine interior, hydraulics overhauled (you know what that can cost), tons of history, put it up for sale at $15K, and no takers. I was almost tempted, but I don’t want to deal with a black car or what happens when the hydraulics go again.