Ain. The story of the 1933 Berliet VRD19, "walled up" for 60 years in Croix-Rousse

In January 2017, during the demolition of buildings in Croix-Rousse (Lyon), workers "stumbled upon" a limousine walled up in a garage. And with this exhumation, an incredible family story resurfaces.

Let's go back in time. In 1933, the manufacturer Berliet, already renowned for its heavy goods vehicles, also added the VRD19 to its catalog, a seven-seater limousine and the flagship of the Lyon-based brand. Jean-Victor Legros, a successful construction entrepreneur—now Legros TP—purchased this high-end model and produced only nine units.

In the Legros' photo album, the car is a joy for the whole family. The advertising of the time is full of praise for the vehicle: "Luxurious, equipped with the latest improvements. The extra-low chassis, robust, balanced, is equipped with a high-capacity engine, with sharp acceleration and instant starts. It is a comfortable vehicle with a modern design and careful paintwork that give it a very elegant appearance. The ride is pleasant, the steering smooth and secure. The lighting and horn controls are grouped in a clever switch, quickly called a "commodo", located below the steering wheel, practical because it is always within the driver's reach!"

When it was "barn-find," Sylvie Legros, Jean-Victor's granddaughter, was stunned. How could this car have "disappeared"? Little is known about its walling-in. The Berliet "limo" was probably walled-in following the death of its owner in 1957. Perhaps even earlier! Another question that arose: what to do with this "sleeping Berliet?" Could it ever wake up? ^Ms. Legros entrusted it to the experts at the Berliet Foundation: although very tired, the VRD19 was complete. But appearances were deceptive. The vehicle's wooden structure, which forms the bodywork's frame, onto which the sheet metal was attached, was damaged. The interior trim was in poor condition. After a two-year makeover at the Berliet Conservatory in Montellier, Ain, the VRD19 returned to its original condition in December 2023, thanks in particular to the "expert" work of Maurice Chevallier (bodywork) and Jean-Claude Olagnon (mechanics). The Berliet VRD19 is the only known example in the world to date.

Restoration funded by the 2018 Motul Heritage Foundation Grand Prix, support from the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, and a subscription opened by the Heritage Foundation. Estimated cost of the work: nearly €90,000.