Deville Motors, Rouen

[Duccout]

Here is a question for any French based Ducatista - Craig? - Does anyone remember a Ducati shop at Rouen called Deville Motors? I was riding through Rouen on my 750, perhaps in the early Eighties, en-route to Spain, when I saw the above establishment. It was closed at the time, but on the return journey the shop was open and I spent an hour in there buying hard-to-get spares and describing in pidgin French seeing Hailwood winning the '78TT. Just curious to know anything about the shop and when it closed; it had obviously been a Ducati shop for quite some time.

[themoudie]

Could this be the place or its successor?

Desmo-Rouen-Ducati

Good health, Bill

[Duccout]

Definitely not! The two guys running Deville Motors wore those long brown storeman's coats, and the shop was a proper bike shop, not a fashion emporium. It was located in town, along the main 'autes directions' road.

A long time ago, probably all forgotten now.

[themoudie]

OK!

Good health, Bill

[A.I.M]

There is a bike shop called Roland Motos at 350 Route de Dieppe, Deville-les-Rouen:- google maps street-view might ring a bell with you? They seem to specialise in old BMWs, although if they are the same shop who knows what might be in the back of the stores....
Al

[Duccout]

I've dug out the old bill dated 22/07/1982. The full name of the shop was Mansire Deville Motos and they were Ducati, Guzzi and Piaggio dealers, located at 138 Route de Dieppe, Deville les Rouen.

I remember it like it was yesterday.......I camped nearby and had a short ride to the ferry next morning, and I can picture all the Canadian flags around Dieppe, in tribute to the poor lads who were killed in the Dieppe raid in WWII.

[Duccout]

I've just had a look at Google Earth, it's a bit creepy really, seeing the past! Number 138 is a private house and doesn't look big enough, but next door is a new town house, with two residencies, and I'm wondering if that was the site and there has been some re-numbering.

I wonder what happened to all the spares that they had?

[DBDBrian]

No help with your question Colin, but the great man signed this for me after his legendary victory on that big Ducati.

scan0021.jpg

[Duccout]

I was there that afternoon, at Governor's Bridge, just before he crossed the finish line. Unbelievable!

[DBDBrian]

We were not far apart, I was at Bedstead, I had seen Mike win many TT's, but it was as you say, unbelievable.