Le Mans locals and regulars at the 24 Hours of Le Mans know Jacques and Liliane Simonet well thanks to Manou Auto Sport, the miniature car specialist.

Jacques Simonet had just bought his shop, back in 1967, when an opportunity he couldn't pass up presented itself: to buy a car from the Le Mans driving school which was going all the way Renault. The car was a 1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ (Tubolare Zagato) 1600, a sister car of which had won in its class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans the year before. So it wasn't just any car in other words.

For this die-hard motorsports fan, rally driver and major Italian car enthusiast, the temptation was too great. "We had just bought the store. With the loans, etc. it wasn't really reasonable, but I couldn't resist." The maintenance was done with the help of a good mechanic friend.

Together, the "TZ" and Simonet did it all: win rallys, head to Milan to Zagato for a new grille and headlights ("they were very happy to see the car again down there"), travel to Germany and Switzerland ("it was our only car, a very good road car even though we had to travel light since we could hardly put anything in the trunk"). It even played a part in Jacques and Liliane's wedding day in 1975. "We drove it leaving the church," explains Liliane who laughs as she recalls she had a hard time getting in the passenger seat in her wedding dress.

They've continued doing rallys and Liliane has become Jacques' teammate. Their two names are engraved on the body of the car as well as their blood types. "It was mandatory in competition back in the day."

Nearly 60 years later, the "TZ" is still a member of the family. Manou Auto Sport has closed. Jacques and Liliane Simonet are retired. They drive less, just enough to take the car out but not damage it and also ACO driving sessions to experience sensations again from yesteryear. "I always enjoy driving, but I don't compete anymore. Others began buying higher performing cars, but I didn't want to give up my car and so the top spots became unattainable."

But he still has a lifetime of memories, adventures and shared emotions thanks to the beautiful Italian.

Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO

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