Another mystery car at the Hotel de France

[S100HP]

Doofus said:

S100HP said:

I love that you know this, but how?! There were 500 made in the 1950s, and that is it apparently!

Well firstly, knowing that particular format of registration plate was introduced in 1950 is helpful, but mainly it's because of the Salmson badge on the bootlid.

[Allan L]

I think the late, great Russell Brockbank's take on bonnet portholes sums it all up:

[nicanary]

I've just checked images of a 4-door, and it's definitely and without doubt a Salmson. RHD swung it towards an upmarket French car - the portholes mean sweet FA, they were the "aftermarket accessory " of their time. As has been said, just stick-on sparklies.

Well found that man.

[GTBob]

What a fantastic response! Thank you, Thank you. A Salmson G72 Randonnée not a Buick.
I'll have to look out some other postcards I have where I could not identify the car.
Best wishes,
Bob

[sim16v]

Brilliant reply Doofus.

Loads on Google images, and not too expensive!

http://classiccars.brightwells.com/viewdetails.php...

[Doofus]

[GTBob]

Doofus said:

Well firstly, knowing that particular format of registration plate was introduced in 1950 is helpful, but mainly it's because of the Salmson badge on the bootlid.

Hi Doofus
Thanks for identifying it. So that's a UK registration number? Do you surmise that this is a British-built Salmson? Also, I know the French used to make their luxury cars RHD so the chauffeur could get out quickly and open the rear doors on the pavement side, but do you know when this practice died out?
Thanks
Bob

[WyrleyD]

GTBob said:

Hi Doofus
Thanks for identifying it. So that's a UK registration number? Do you surmise that this is a British-built Salmson? Also, I know the French used to make their luxury cars RHD so the chauffeur could get out quickly and open the rear doors on the pavement side, but do you know when this practice died out?
Thanks
Bob

No, it's not a UK registration number, it's a metropolitan Paris "75" registration. The plate may have been made in the UK but the number is Parisian.

[Doofus]

GTBob said:

Hi Doofus
Thanks for identifying it. So that's a UK registration number? Do you surmise that this is a British-built Salmson? Also, I know the French used to make their luxury cars RHD so the chauffeur could get out quickly and open the rear doors on the pavement side, but do you know when this practice died out?
Thanks
Bob

No, it's a French registration - Paris, to be precise.

It was quite common for European luxury cars to be built in RHD. I think this was with the British and Italian markets in mind. Italy drove on the left until 1930 or so, and Lancias, for instance were RHD as standard well into the 1950s.

Edited by Doofus on Sunday 9th December 10:46

[Graveworm]

Doofus said:

I think this was with the British and Italian markets in mind. Italy drove on the left until 1930 or so,

Still do a lot of the time