The global magazine and marketplace for classic car enthusiasts, by enthusiasts.
Filter
Make a choice:
- Cars
-
Make >>
- Bikes
-
Location >>
- Parts & more
-
Make of car >>
-
Manufacturer >>
-
Category >>
- Bicycles & more
-
Year >>
-
Countries
A Cord L-29 encounter in France
The occasion was our holiday, the year 1977. We were enjoying a drive along the western coast of France from La Rochelle to La Baule, Brest, Mont-Saint-Michel, Honfleur, Dieppe, and so on. Thus travelling, we stumbled upon the premises of Edouard Bitel in Jugon-les-Lacs in the Côtes d'Armor, a well-known car hoarder/dealer of the time.
That's where I took this photo of a Cord L-29 chassis lying outside in Bitel’s yard. Apparently, this was a car that had once been converted for racing purposes, hence the non-standard quadruple carburettors and the low line of the scuttle. In the background, observe a Bugatti back axle. In the barns were treasures like a Hispano-Suiza H6B roadster, a Mercedes 540K cabriolet, a Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport coupé by Chapron, a Delahaye 135MS, and so much more. Those were the days!
Words and photo by Hans Veenenbos
Originally published on October 27, 2022
Published:
Thursday November 27th, 2025
Facebook
LinkedIn
Twitter
WhatsApp
Email
Copy
Comments
Hans Veenenbos
01 December 2025, 14:55
To answer to Le Moine's (is that Eric Le Moine of the Labourdette photo files?) request, attached is what I have of Edouard Bitel, his museum and some photos taken at his premises (not sure if all were taken at Bitel). The Hispano is the H6B which won its class at Pebble Beach in 2024, and the "Delahaye" might in fact be the aforementioned Talbot-Lago T26 Grand Sport Chapron coupé.
Read more
Eldon Guay
01 December 2025, 01:02
I'd love to know what happened to the Bugatti back axle in the image.
Read more
Le Moigne
30 November 2025, 08:39
I remember Bitel's garage in the eighties, at Jugon Les Lacs, the garage was called "Antic Auto". Despite all my efforts, I 'ved been unable to find a picture of that garage.
Read more
Hans Veenenbos
28 November 2025, 10:54
Great to see the news that the Cord L29 chassis still exists and is awaiting restoration.
Here are some pictures of other cars at Edouard Bittel’s place – several literally went from “rags to riches”. After a long string of many different owners, the restoration of the Hispano was eventually seen through to the end by Sam Mann. He won his class at Pebble Beach in 2024. Recently this H6B was for sale for $1,850,000 at a dealer in Arizona. The Talbot-Lago T26 GS Chapron coupé was acquired by Bruno Vendiesse and is now in the Louwman Museum in The Hague.
Read more
Here are some pictures of other cars at Edouard Bittel’s place – several literally went from “rags to riches”. After a long string of many different owners, the restoration of the Hispano was eventually seen through to the end by Sam Mann. He won his class at Pebble Beach in 2024. Recently this H6B was for sale for $1,850,000 at a dealer in Arizona. The Talbot-Lago T26 GS Chapron coupé was acquired by Bruno Vendiesse and is now in the Louwman Museum in The Hague.
Guillaume
27 November 2025, 16:13
The car still exist and is now in my garage waiting for time to restore it to it's previous go glory.
If you have other photos I am interested.
Thanks
Read more
If you have other photos I am interested.
Thanks
PERRIN
23 March, 09:31
Hello, are you the owner of this L29 chassis? I own the second Cord L29 in the Bittel collection; perhaps we could get in touch?
—-
Bonjour, vous êtes le propriétaire de ce châssis L29? je possède la deuxième Cord L29 de la collection Bittel, peut être pourrions nous entrer en contact?
Read more
—-
Bonjour, vous êtes le propriétaire de ce châssis L29? je possède la deuxième Cord L29 de la collection Bittel, peut être pourrions nous entrer en contact?
Job
30 October 2022, 15:26
Was Antik Auto still around in the ‘90s? I remember a place in a French village. Owner was an old man. Had an US army motorcycle outside, old red/yellow citroen truck in the back yard amongst many other things. I’m sure I have pictures somewhere. The name rang a bell, good chance it’s the same place.
Read more
Ylm
31 October 2022, 09:55
Antic Auto was still existing in the nineties, must have been demolished in the years 2000 +.
It was located just on the border of the road. I'd like to see pictures from that period because I have a personnal childhood's memory with that garage.
Read more
It was located just on the border of the road. I'd like to see pictures from that period because I have a personnal childhood's memory with that garage.
Phil Seed
30 October 2022, 13:59
No idea whether this was in the same place, but I took the photo in Brittany in 1977.
Read more
Ylm
31 October 2022, 09:57
I don't recognize the front of the garage, maybe this is the backyard ?
Read more
Nigel Ricardo
30 October 2022, 10:50
When we lived in Brittany I recall a family with that name with an SS 100 doing the tour de Bretagne, maybe they are still the same family
Read more