On the Radar: 1961 Opel Rekord “Lion Noir” – Tour de France

One upcoming release that has really caught my attention is a resin cast model from Franstyle depicting one of the more delightfully eccentric advertising cars from the Tour de France caravan.

The subject is a 1961 Opel Rekord transformed into a rolling promotion for Lion Noir, a French shoe-polish brand well known in the mid-20th century for its bold marketing. This car, shaped as a giant purple shoe with two tins of polish on the roof, creates a playful spectacle designed to stop crowds in their tracks as it followed the 1962 Tour de France route.

From early previews, the model appears to do an excellent job capturing the character of the original. These kinds of vehicles are a reminder that the Tour was once as much about theatrical promotion as it was about cycling. What makes this release especially appealing is how it fits into a broader niche of scale replicas depicting advertising and publicity vehicles, subjects that blend automotive history, graphic design, and cultural nostalgia. Over the years, manufacturers have tackled everything from soap to camera brands, food products, and household goods, often mounted on otherwise ordinary sedans, vans, and small trucks.

This Opel Rekord will be produced in a limited edition of just 200 pieces. It joins a growing lineup of scale model replicas celebrating the many memorable advertising and support vehicles that have appeared in the Tour over the decades. With so many fascinating subjects already represented in scale, I’d love to hear from others... Which Tour de France models or publicity vehicles are your favorites?