LM3 3 Copie

Welcome to our section dedicated to classic car enthusiasts, ‘The Enthusiasts Speak’. More than just a section, this space is a place to meet, exchange ideas and discover new things, where each enthusiast can share his or her unique story.

We take a look at the magnificent story of Dominique and his LM3

LM3 3 Copie

‘I've always had a passion for cars, especially those that are a bit unusual. So it's not surprising that in 1973 I already had a SOVRA LM2 buggy, the one in this photo.

As I had learned from the specialist press that SOVRA was going to present an LM3 model, a coupé this time, at the Paris Motor Show, I rushed to see it. I was living in Lille at the time.

And this is the car I saw ‘in real life’:

‘Of course, this car was my dream, but I couldn't afford it at all, especially as it was quite expensive.

So I gave up the idea of ever owning it...

It wasn't until May 2008, 35 years later, still fascinated by VW Beetle-powered cars (I had a VW 181 at the time), that I came across an advert in a specialist magazine - a simple advert, with no photo, saying more or less: ‘Sell Sovra LM 3, €3,000!

I grabbed my phone and, as luck would have it, the car wasn't sold:

- I'll buy it

- OK, but I don't have the registration document...’ I said.

- No problem, just send me some photos so I can see what condition it's in, but I'll take it! ’

LM2 DFB1

‘It's a car that's complete and running well, but sad-looking and a bit fiddly that my seller comes to deliver to me.

The only document was a manual certificate of sale.

Modern rims that don't conform, bodywork that's been a bit modified, an engine that's ‘ratatouille’ etc., but the car is indeed complete.

All that's left for me to do is to get a proper registration document. It's going to be a ‘long march’ of almost a year, punctuated by letters to all and sundry, and numerous approaches to the authorities and to the F.F.V.E., the only organisation authorised to issue a certificate allowing vehicles without a registration document to obtain a collector's registration document.

But the most interesting thing was that, in the course of my research, I came to realise, through a series of cross-checks, that the car I'd bought was... the same car I'd seen 35 years earlier at the Salon de l'Auto! Not the same car, a sort of Siamese twin, but the first model ever made!

This was confirmed to me by Sovra's former workshop manager, who had spent his entire career in the company in this position. He also told me that only 16 examples of this model left the factory.

From that moment on, it became clear to me that I had to restore the car to its original condition, the one that had made me fantasise in 1973.

We started by finding the right rims for it:

LM3 3 Copie

‘Then a correct exhaust’ :

LM3 4 Copie

‘Paintwork identical to the original colour":

LM3 6 Copie

‘And finally, a new dashboard and upholstery':

LM3 8 Copie

‘Not forgetting, of course, a good mechanical overhaul! And so the story continues...’

LM3 9 Copie

You too can contribute by sharing your story!

Whether it's meticulous restorations, memorable rallies or drives, unexpected favourites or simply the pleasure of driving a car that has endured the test of time, your stories are at the heart of what we love: bringing the passion for classic cars to life.

Through your stories, we want to celebrate these mechanical treasures and the emotions they arouse. So speak out and share your passion with our community! Don't hesitate to send us an email at [email protected] or to insert your content via your member's area. It will then be submitted for approval and, if approved, published on ClassicCarPassion.com.