Tag Archives: Connaissance des arts

Motorised Goat – Farmobil

A couple of months ago I started clearing some stuff out through my e-bay account, including a collection of French Adverts from a magazine called Connaissance des arts.

Chrysler, Advertisement, Connaissance des arts

One item that really triggered my curiosity was featured on the undated Chrysler ad above was the cute l’il utility vehicle referred to as the Farmobil below.

Farmobile Chrysler, Advertisement, Connaissance des arts

Last thing I imagined was that this item would sell to a Farmobil owner…. living in Perth Australia !
Mark Bird owner of today’s featured Farmobil kindly sent me some photo’s of his vehicle and some information about it to share.

Farmobile

The Farmobil story begins in a small town on the southern border of Germany with Switzerland in Gottmadingen where the former Fahr factory occupied 4,000 employees in the production of agricultural machinery and equipment with metal castings a speciality.

Farmobile

One of the products they designed in co operation with BMW is the Farmobil a light utility truck with all round independent suspension and a drive train including, 4 speed synchromesh gearbox, 2 cylinder BMW 700 cc / 42.7 cui motor, stick shift, brakes and wheels lifted more or less straight out of a BMW 700 LS.

Farmobile

To maximise flexibility the windscreen could be folded down and the doors removed and for inclement weather the Farmobil was provided with a canvass roof, it had a power take off for farm implements and could even be converted into a six seat passenger vehicle.

Farmobile

The 32 hp air cooled horizontally opposed motor was originally developed for BMW motorcycles, but this is not the same single cylinder unit as used in the BMW Isetta bubble car or R60 flat twin as used in the BMW 600 Bubble Car.

Assembley of Farmobils was put out to tender which was won by Greek low volume manufacturer Peter Kondorgouris who founded Farco to build the Farmobil in Thessalonika, Greece, from 1962 to 1966.

Farmobile

During this time Chrysler was looking for away into the European markets and acquired Farco as a first step towards establishing a European base. However shortly after the acquisition Ford sold it’s share in the French Simca concern and Chrysler bought it giving them an entrance into the French and German markets while the Farmobil manufactured in Greece, outside the European Economic Union (EEC) at the time, attracted prohibitive taxes.

Farmobile

In Greece, where the Farmobil was never officially distributed, it was known as the ‘motorised goat’. Chrysler distributed it through it’s network within the EEC however by 1966 production came to an end after efforts to move production to Rotterdam, and the UK where two vehicles fitted with Hillman Imp motors from the Rootes Group, soon to become part of the Chrysler empire all failed to secure a future for the versatile machine of which just under 1000 were built between 1962 and 1966.

Farmobile

Mark, a member of the “Special Interest Vehicle Association” (SIVA) found his 1966 example needing a full restoration in France in 1999 and took it back to Australia where he spent 12 years locating all the correct parts to restore it back to the as new showroom condition seen here.

Farmobile

He says that “It is a completely unknown vehicle in Australia so it’s a bit difficult to share it with others” outside the the Special Interest Vehicles Association whose members own a diverse range of vehicles including Hino Contessa, Messerschmitt KR 200 & 201, NSU Prinz and Ro80, Autobianchi Bianchina, Trojan 200, Nissan S-Cargo, Honda s600″s , Coupe 7″s & 9″s as well as N360 and TN360 to name a few.

My thanks to Mark for sharing today’s photographs of his stout little Farmobile about which he contributed to a fuller description which can be seen on the allpar.com website linked here.

Thanks for joining me on this “Mechanised Goat” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you’ll join me again tomorrow for a few of the many stories behind the oldest Bugatti in Britain. Don’t forget to come back now !

18/02/14 Errata in the original post of this blog I incorrectly spelled Farmobil, it has no ‘e’ and stated; that the Farmobil’s transmission was a Porsche design which it was not, that the motor was shared with the BMW Isetta Bubble car which was also incorrect.

Apologies for the confusion and thanks to Mark Bird for pointing out the inaccuracies. Mark also tells me that the Farmobil is not to be confused with the similar but completely unrelated Steyer Puch Haflinger made in Austria.

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When I Grow Up – GALPOT Automobilia

A couple of months ago I had a bit of a clear out whilst reorganising my library and the time has come to dispose of a number of items which may be of interest through my lightpress account on e-bay. Amazingly so far I have sold four items on three continents and this week earned an e-bay green star. Thanks to everyone who has passed links on into the deeper recesses of the car loving world.

01 ALFA Romeo Montreal

This week from among the tearout advertisements taken from the French magazine Connaissance des arts is this one for an ALFA Romeo Montreal. The V8 powered Montreal was launched in 1970, with 3,197 manufactured up until 1977. Micheal Cane fans might recognise this as the type of car that Michael Caine drove in the film The Marseille Contract starring Anthony Quinn and James Mason.

Ford Zodiac, Advertisement, Connaissance des arts

Harley F Coop, who had a hand in the design of the Continental Mk II and Ford Falcon , was called into work on Project Panda in 1961. Project Panda was to develop the forth generation Ford Zodiac with a new V6 motor which was to replace the straight six powered third generation Zodiac.

To raise the Zodiacs public profile and appeal Ford resorted to engaging the likes of Eric Jackson to drive the car in a long distance record attempt at Monza, where he and four other drivers spent a seven days and nights averaging 100 mph including stops for fuel and maintenance. The strap line translates as “The New Ford Zodiac, to appreciate it you have to look at the detail”.

Jaguar XJ6, Advertisement, Connaissance des arts

This 1973 advertisement features a late Series 1 Jaguar XJ6 4 door saloon. The Jaguar XJ6 was introduced in 1968 powered by derivatives of the XK 6 cylinder motors that had been used to power Jaguar Le Mans winning cars in 1951′ ’53, ’55, ’56 and ’57. Series 1 XJ6’s were built between 1968 and 1973. The strap line translates as “This image is dedicated á all children who said: “When I grow up, I (will) have a Jaguar.””

Mercedes Benz 280, Advertisement, Connaissance des arts

The advertisement above features a Mercedes Benz (W108) 280 S with smaller photo of 280 (W108) SE Saloon, Cabriolet and (W113) SL models. The W108 was manufactured in 280 S and SE forms from 1967 to 1972, W113 was manufactured in 280 SL form from 1967 to 1971. Strap line translates approximately as “Mercedes Benz 280 car of your dreams towering performance (in) safely unparalleled comfort”

Thanks for joining me on this “When I Grow Up” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow for the answers to last weeks quiz. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Do You Like Our Calender ? – GALPOT Automobilia

A couple of weeks ago I had a bit of a clear out whilst reorganising my library and the time has come to dispose of a number of items which may be of interest through my lightpress account on e-bay.

FIAT 125 'Special', Advertisement, Connaissance des arts

First up from this weeks advertisements taken from Connaissance des arts is this 1969 FIAT 125 “Special” ad. The FIAT 125 was launched in 1967, the following year a 100hp 5 speed Special was added to the range. Note some of the styling features were to be found on the smaller FIAT 124 based Zhiguli 2106. Note the influential grey shades of Claude Monet’s Waterloo Bridge in the fog paintings in the photography.

Mercedes Benz W108, Advertisement, Connaissance des arts

The Mercedes Benz advertisement above features a Mercedes Benz W108 with twinned yellow headlights as were mandatory in France until 1993. The strap line approximately translates as “Your first Mercedes dice this year … WHY not!”.

Renault 16, Advertisement, Connaissance des arts

Car adverts which appeal to the allure of the open road are always a hit, when I was travelling the controlled access highways or Autoroutes in France the ads actually lived up to the hype. Above a Renault 16 glides across a yet to be identified landscape in an undated ad from 1968 or later. The strap line approximately translates as “The smooth strength (of) the Renault 16 is more durable”

Rover 2000, Advertisement, Connaissance des arts

The copy of in the April 1965 Rover 2000 ad above makes mention of Rovers class winning performance in the 1965 Monte Carlo rally but makes no mention of Roger Clark the driver much less Jim Porter the co driver. The 104hp single carb Rover 2000 was not joined by the 124hp twin carb Rover 2000TC until 1966. The best I could manage with the translation of the strap line is the slightly surreal “Do you like our calender?” If you know better please do not hesitate to put me out of my surreal misery using the comments box below.

Simca 1501 "Special", Advertisement, Connaissance des arts

Finally another ad featuring low light boosted by artificial light, this Simca 1501 Special ad by the Havas Conceil agency dates from January 1969. The strap line approximately translates as “Simca 1501 Special, the for built for the Le Mans 24 hours (race) daily”

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Photographers Brush – GALPOT Automobilia

A couple of weeks ago I had a bit of a clear out whilst reorganising my library and the time has come to dispose of a number of items which may be of interest through my lightpress account on e-bay.

Dunlop SP Sport, Advertisement, Connaissance des arts

From this weeks collection of advertisements appearing in Connaissance des arts Magazine that I posted this week is this October 1970 advertisement for Dunlop SP Sport Tyres featuring 4 images of cars in competition.

Beltoise, Matra MS11, Dutch GP, Dunlop SP Sport, Advertisement, Connaissance des arts

The first “1. Grand Prix de Hollande 68. 1er : Jackie Stewart” is incorrectly labelled as Jean Pierre Beltoise is seen driving a V12 Matra MS11, identifiable by it bulky exhaust, at 1968 Dutch Grand Prix carrying the #16 appears which appears to be an altered number as Beltoise actually drove the #17, Stewart drove the #8 Ford DFV, less bulky exhausts, powered Matra MS10 that won the 1968 Dutch Grand Prix. As can be seen in this linked photo Beltoise helmet is dark not white and has also come under a photographers touching in brush.

Tour de France, Dunlop SP Sport, Advertisement, Connaissance des arts

The second shows Gérard Larrouse / /Maurice Gélin #181 Porsche 911, Greder / Vigneron #143 Corvette C3, and Rouget / Depret #192 Ferrari 250 LM chassis #5981, at the start of a race at Reims which was part of the 1969 Tour de France won by Larrouse and Gélin.

Porsche, Tour de Corse, Dunlop SP Sport, Advertisement, Connaissance des art

“3. Tour de Corse 69. 1er : Gérard Larrousse” is also incorrectly labelled as Gérard won driving a white Porsche 911 bearing the #70 competition number. The car in the third photo seems to be competing in the 1968 Tour de Course, won by Jean Claude Andruet with Maurice Gélin driving an Alpine A110 and is thought to have either Claude Ballot-Lena or Gerhard Schuler at the wheel, neither of whom was classified at the finish.

Stewart, Matra Ford MS80, French GP, Clermont Ferrand, Dunlop SP Sport, Advertisement, Connaissance des arts

“4. Jackie Stewart, Champion du monde 69, en action.” shows Jackie Stewart in his Matra Ford MS80 on his way to victory in the 1969 French Grand Prix at Clermont Ferrand, which coincidentally is also well known as the home of Dunlop’s rival tyre manufacturer Michelin.

The strap line for the ad approximately translates as “Dunlop SP Sport Nouveau profile born of (the) competition. For you.”

My thanks to Paul ‘Macca’ M, Ray Bell, Tim Murray and Nanni Dietrich at The Nostalgia Forum for their help unpicking the mysteries of today’s ad.

Thanks for joining me on this “Photographers Brush” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres”, I hope you will join me again tomorrow for Coffee and Croissants with the Avenue Drivers Club. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Heads and Tails Triumph – GALPOT Automobilia

A couple of weeks ago I had a bit of a clear out whilst reorganising my library and the time has come to dispose of a number of items which may be of interest through my lightpress account on e-bay.

Triumph 2000, Advertisement, Connaissance des arts

From this weeks collection of advertisements appearing in Connaissance des arts Magazine that I posted this week is this Triumph 2000 ad from 1966 featuring a long since obsolete half crown coin balanced on the bonnet hood of a car alluding to the smoothness of the 2 litre / 122 cui straight six motor. The strap line approximately translates as “a piece (of) conviction!.”

Triumph 2500 PI MK2, Advertisement, Connaissance des arts

Four years later a Mark 2 version of the big Triumph was available know as the 2500 PI MK2 which had a Lucas fuel injected 2.5 litre 142.4 cui motor. Brian Culcheth and Johnstone Syer drove won to second place in the 1970 London to Mexico World Cup Rally, which GLAPOT regulars may remember was won by Hannu Mikkola and Gunnar Palm driving a Ford Escort. The strap line to the ad approximately translates as “Triumph are cars (for the) father (of the) family. They will never reach Mexico. ”

Volvo Amazon, Advertisement, Connaissance des arts

I don’t believe there has ever been any questioning of the solidity of a Volvo built to withstand harsh Scandinavian winters and rough summer time roads, the strap line for this ad featuring a 1965 Volvo Amazon reads “The service is the car”.

Volvo 144, Advertisement, Connaissance des arts

While working for a Volvo dealer in London I acquired a fair number of clapped out Volvo 140’s and enjoyed running them into the ground before sending them to the scrap dealer, the strap line for this ad translates as “Volvo: heads and tails”.

Thanks for joining me on this Heads and Tails Triumph addition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Swedish Daihatsu ? – GALPOT Automobilia

A couple of weeks ago I had a bit of a clear out whilst reorganising my library and the time has come to dispose of a number of items which may be of interest through my lightpress account on e-bay.

ALFA Romeo 1300 GT Z, Advertisement, Connaissance des arts

Among the ads from the French Connaissance des arts I’ve posted this week is this Alitalia airlines ad featuring an ALFA Romeo 1300 GT Z and a Rolls Royce Conway Turbofan engine of the type used to power the Alitalia McDonnell Douglas DC8. While my folks were living in Africa I spent many hours traveling back and forth to school in England on Alitalia DC8’s. Confusingly the strap line for the ad reads “Team Alitalia: Alfa Romeo, Pratt & Whitney and Rolls Royce” making reference to both jet engine manufacturers used to power Alitalia aircraft.

MATRA 530 LX, Advertisement, Connaissance des arts

The MATRA M530 was desined by Philippe Guédon 1965 to replace the René Bonnet designed MATRA Djet. Named after the MATRA 530R air to air missile and launched in 1967 with a Ford Taunus V4 the M530 was given a mild facelift by Michelotti in 1970 and called the MATRA 530 LX.

Saab 99, Advertisement, Connaissance des arts

Looking for information about the SAAB 99 I was fascinated to discover that an early prototype of the model had a “daihatsu” badge on the bonnet/hood in an effort to disguise the true identity of the car from prying journalists. The strap line on this ad reads “Saab 99: You do not know this car, but you already know his name”

Rover 3500S, Advertisement, Connaissance des arts

Finally in 1971 Rover introduced a four speed manual gearbox option for the hitherto automatic transmission only Rover 3500, all vehicles with this option are known as Rover 3500 S models, with the S denoting “Synchromesh”. The strap line for the ad reads “We would never have dared to say it ourselves” before going on to quote Jean Bernardet presumably from an article that appeared in L’Equipe on the model.

Thanks for joining me on this “Swedish Daihatsu ?” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres”, I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Nobility & Speed – GALPOT Automobilia

I’ve been having a bit of a clear out whilst reorganising my library and the time has come to dispose of a number of items which may be of interest through my lightpress account on e-bay.

Excalibur, Monsieur Rochas, Advertisement, Connaissance des arts

This week among the ads posted is this Monsieur Rochas cologne ad featuring a 1969 Series 1 Excalibur Roadster built in Milwaulkee, which was the brainchild of former Studebaker designer Brooks Stevens. Expect to see more retro vehicles like the Corvette powered Excalibur about as the Steam Punk movement moves towards the mainstream.

Opel, Commodore, GS/E, Advertisement, Connaissance des arts

The global McCann Erickson ad agency appear to have responsible for this 123 mph fuel injected 1970 Opel Commodore GS/E. Unfortunately the photographer responsible for the blurry image that I found influential in my own work as an artist is not credited.

Peugeot, 504, Advertisement, Connaissance des arts

As I am sure anyone who has been to Africa will agree, life on the continent without the ubiquitous Peugeot 504 would be almost unimaginable, a good portion of the continents hard driven taxi’s were /are Peugeot 504’s the last of which was appropriately manufactured in Nigeria in 2005. The Peugeot 504 advertisement above was published soon after the models delayed launch in 1968.

Porsche, 911, Advertisement, Connaissance des arts

J.P. Ronzel & Cie was responsible French Importer Sonauto’s Porsche advertising in 1969 featuring another cool blurry shot, which I replicated a couple of months ago and the strap line Nobility and Speed.

Thanks for joining me on this “Nobility and Speed” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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