THE TOUR DE FRANCE AUTOMOBILE WAS BORN IN 1889, THANKS TO THE AUTOMOBILE CLUB DE FRANCE...
... run once again in 1906, taking into consideration the performance of cars at this time, the 3000 to 4000km event was a veritable adventure. The rally was then interrupted several times, principally due to the wars.
The first post war event took place in 1951.
It did not take very long for the Tour de France Automobile to become a major event with prestigious makes on the tracks and famous drivers behind the steering wheels.
Stopped once again in 1965,
the rally revived in 1969 thanks to five-time winner Bernard Consten. This golden era saw prototypes such as Matras 650, Ferraris 512 and GT40 Fords on the roads. The name Tour Auto appeared at the same time.
Ten years later,
economic constraints linked to the oil crisis affected the event. Thus in 1986, due to the lack of sponsors and …competitors, the 50th TdF was the final one in its original form.
The rally will leave as a memory three names, Tour de France Automobile, often quoted as TdF, its initials and Tour Auto. Two cars, which have excelled there, Ferrari 250TdF and Jaguar MkII Tour de France also perpetuate the name.
In 1992, new blood …
Patrick Peter gave the rally a second life as an historic event. In three years time, the Tour Auto became one of the top historic rallies in the world that no amateur would miss. Over 200 cars come from all around the world to cover what is each year an original route.