CG 1200 S: Exclusive and scarce. 

Statement: Classics are not just there to look at! Driving a car on a trailer to a show is like keeping a dog fit by carrying it around the block. It is clear that there is only one way to keep the classic in a decent condition and to use it regularly. Still, there is nothing wrong with having a special car – such as this CG 1200 S – and also driving a normal everyday modern car. 

Scavenger hunt

The sticker on the bright yellow sports car indicated that the owner was a member of the amateur club CG in Umbrun (Hautes Alpes). The French origin became immediately clear, the next sticker stated "Retro passion" and that is also very recognizable for us. Now the search for the special brand CG 1200 S. 

CG

In 1966, a unique French sports car was unveiled. That was the CG A1000, a car made by Carrosserie Chappe Frères et Gessalin. The company itself started in 1932. After World War II ended, the French concentrated more on making car chassis from aluminum and fiberglass reinforced polyester and assembling cars. When some customers left, the company decided to start building lightweight French sports cars based on Simca technology.

A prototype was made from the parts of a Simca 1000 that had been taken out of service. The final result was a lightweight sports car with a reinforced fiberglass polyester body. That was the A1000, which debuted at the 1966 Paris Salon. It was a spider with a chassis designed by CG and with Simca influences. 

CG 1200 S

In 1969 came the CG B1200. This model was available as a Coupé or Spider 1200 S. The 1204 cc engine came from the Simca 1200 S coupé and produced 80 HP. As with the 1000 versions, performance was slowed down by four disc brakes all around. The installation now had a servo, but the best part was that the circuit was separate. The rack and pinion steering replaced the old Gemmer system. CG also installed front and rear sway bars. 

The CG B1200 also received a new rear axle, which allowed the wheels to be set up in a negative camber arrangement. Also striking were the two shock absorbers per side at the rear. In 1970 the series received a more powerful engine. The cylinder volume remained the same, the power increased by 4 HP and the top speed from 185 to 190 kilometers per hour. Special was the 548 version (named after its weight), with, for example, an aluminum bottom and thinner body material. The power of the 548 could increase to almost 120 HP.

Beautiful design

The design is very pure. Two streamlined headlights, a bonnet with visible hinges. Completely unique because only 285 units of the 1200 S type were built. Is this appearance, this design, art? Art doesn't really need words. We are sensitive to beauty, can look at these special cars for a long time and discover new things again and again. We made this discovery at a campsite in Lidier (France) and could not find the Belgian owner of this gracious beauty on wheels and therefore could not shape our love of classic cars through a chat. But you will find that love in this article. 

Classic love

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