The Tram & Bus Association of the Côte d’Azur has launched a fundraising campaign to restore an iconic vehicle from the 1960s. Although the work has started, more funds are needed to complete the restoration.
In the streets of Nice, an old coach still catches the eye. The Chausson ASH 522A, acquired by the Tram & Bus Association of the Côte d’Azur in 2020, is part of the regional transport heritage. Its mechanics have already been refurbished by volunteers. But its bodywork, corroded by rust, now threatens its future. A donation campaign has been launched with the Heritage Foundation to finance its restoration.
The vehicle is not just any coach. It is a Chausson-Saviem ASH 522A, a model produced between 1952 and 1965. The one acquired by the association operated from 1961 to 1982. For twenty years, it transported generations of users on French roads. With its 46 seats and six-cylinder engine of 150 horsepower, it embodied the modern coach of the time.
The model 121, put into service in 1963 by Voies Ferrées du Dauphiné, was part of a fleet that long roamed the Isère. It was later sold to several associations before joining a collector in 2020. A few months later, it found its home in Nice.
Since its arrival, the team at Tram & Bus of the Côte d’Azur has been mobilized. “We renovated the vehicle mechanically so that it runs again. We are passionate. We each have skills that we combined,” said at the time Frédéric Giana, president of the association.
Nearly a hundred hours of work were necessary to restore the engine, and to replace lights, radiators, and hoses. In 2021, a complete overhaul allowed the Chausson to get back on the road. Since then, it has participated in public events and piqued the curiosity of passersby.
A bodywork challenge and a substantial budget
While the vehicle is running again, its bodywork remains fragile. The volunteers readily acknowledge: “We know how to handle mechanics but bodywork is not our field.” The sheet metal shows corrosion spots. Blisters appear on the paint. Infiltrations risk perforating the damaged parts.
A bodywork specialist has provided an estimate. The amount is 27,207 euros. A significant sum for the association, which survives on membership fees and some donations. The work would involve dismantling the windows, treating the rust, sanding, and repainting the whole vehicle.
Faced with this challenge, the members of Tram & Bus of the Côte d’Azur have decided to enlist the help of the Heritage Foundation. This organization, recognized for its public utility, supports preservation projects throughout France. “This approach, with a structure recognized by all, will allow us to reach more than 3,000 members, and donors,” emphasized Frédéric Giana.
The goal is clear: to raise a minimum of 14,000 euros. The subscription will cover part of the costs, with the rest being covered by the association and potential partners.
A living heritage
The challenge goes beyond just repairing a coach. Restoring this Chausson also means preserving a collective memory. In the post-war years, this model transported travelers all over France and beyond. It was found on excursions, regular lines, and even in more challenging contexts, from Lebanon to Arabia, or in the Andes mountains.
Its rounded silhouette, large windows, and imposing grille recall a time when the coach represented an opening to travel. After renovation, the association intends to present it during outings, exhibitions, or even on film sets. Several audiovisual productions have already called upon its collection of vintage vehicles.
Beyond mechanical enthusiasts, the entire public could rediscover this rolling heritage. “We had to restore its luster to the Rolls-Royce of coaches,” quips the association’s president, humorously using a nickname given to the model by certain authors.
Expected local mobilization
The call for donations is addressed to individuals and local businesses. The campaign, led in partnership with the Heritage Foundation, ensures that every euro will be used for the work. Funds will only be disbursed upon completion of the projects, upon presentation of invoices.
The association hopes to rally residents, enthusiasts, and the curious around its project. For three years, its volunteers have been committed to preserving the witnesses of urban transport history. The Chausson ASH 522A, through its history and presence, illustrates this work of remembrance.
Its rescue now depends on solidarity. A coach that has spanned decades could continue to roll for a long time. But it must first regain a bodywork worthy of its past.
