EREWASH is gearing up for a wacky French invasion this weekend by quirky old cars that were last made decades ago in one of its twin towns across the Channel.
Proud drivers of ageing Renault Avantimes are preparing to flock to Long Eaton – where they will be joined by owners of ultra rare sporty Matras.
The pilgrimage on Saturday – 25 July – is because the town is twinned with Romorantin-Lanthenay in the Loire. It is where the Matra factory, which also made the luxury Renault model, used to stand.
The last vehicles rolled off the production line in 2003 when the plant closed. The unprecedented gathering in Long Eaton of examples still on the road is being staged by two UK clubs dedicated to the vehicles – the Avantime Alliance and the Matra Enthusiasts Club.
The cars will be on display at the Tappers Harker pub on the town’s Main Street from 9am before setting off in a cavalcade to a street named Romorantin Place. Vanishingly rare Avantimes were strikingly-designed full-size MPVs that were spacious enough for five – but which had only two doors. The model was first unveiled to the public at the Louvre in Paris in 1999. A YouTube video featuring an example with more than 140,000 miles on the clock is here: RENAULT AVANTIME REVIEW | The Quirky French Two Door MPV We All Secretly Love
Among the 30 vehicles in Erewash will be some making the trip from France – with others coming from as far away as Austria. Show organiser Simon Farmer, who owns an Avantime, said: “We are expecting a full line-up of all the models built by Matra Automobile – the first time this has been done in one place at one time in the UK.”
Erewash’s Mayor Cllr Greg Maskalick will be attending the gathering – which is taking place ahead of the even more spectacular Ilkeston Heritage and Classic Vehicle Show on Sunday 9 August. Greg said: “It promises to be a treat for all the family. Let’s hope the summer weather continues to be glorious.” The borough’s previous mayor Cllr Harry Atkinson, who became the youngest ever when he was appointed at the age of 25 in May last year, also hopes to be there. Towards the end of his term of office he boosted relations with all three of the borough’s twin towns by completing a three-wheel grand tour of them in a pal’s 34-year-old Reliant Robin.
The self-funded trip with three of his friends raised more than £2,500 for his Mayoral charities – the 1st Sawley Scouts in their mission to build a new hut and the youth academy of Cotmanhay-based community radio station Erewash Sound. Harry’s stop in Romorantin-Lanthenay included a visit to the Matra museum.
Next month’s annual Ilkeston motor show – which features all kinds of exhibits including buses, trucks, tanks and motorcycles – is again poised to attract thousands as it takes over the Market Place and surrounding streets. It has become the town’s second-biggest event of the year – beaten only by the iconic annual charter fair.
