Daihatsu Charade TX Turbo lives up to its model name

From now on, the peace and quiet in the East Flemish village of Lebbeke is over. On days when the asphalt is scorching in the sun, it can easily happen that a small poison frog with a snorting turbo engine flies through the streets, manned by a father and son with a smile from ear to ear. Give them the fun, these Didier and Tibo De Leu, because it took them a year of their lives to make the pristine white Daihatsu Charade TX Turbo from 1987 look so tight. 

By: Aart van der Haagen

At the EMWalhalla 2023, these enthusiasts suddenly got their coveted, rare Charade model in sight. “I was foaming at the mouth,” says Didier De Leu. “Later, I told the owner that if he ever knew of one for sale, he should definitely inform us. He immediately tipped us off about an available 1987 model that was not advertised anywhere on the internet.” After a few sleepless nights, the agreed viewing followed and the deal was quickly sealed, despite traces of ten years of inactivity. “The seller had made the engine run the previous week and we even dared to drive the Charade home; 200 kilometers anyway.”

Ten dead spiders in the Daihatsu Charade TX Turbo

Hygiene on board was not good. “The blue upholstery looked grey from the dust and we found at least ten dead spiders,” Didier De Leu describes. “Only after a thorough cleaning with a steam cleaner did the original interior reappear, fortunately in mint condition.”

“This Charade, which was delivered new in Germany, has not suffered or driven much with its 125.000 kilometres on the counter”, Tibo De Leu adds. “For example, we hardly had to replace any parts on the chassis, except for the wheel brake cylinders. However, the wishbones and a few rods are neatly painted black again and we still have to take action on the exhaust. At one point, it was hanging crooked, which was caused by a rotten rear silencer. Unfortunately, nothing is available and we had to weld the whole thing.”

Two meter vacuum hoses

Daihatsu people trust blindly in the technology and that is why the engine remained closed. With the timing belt, tensioner and water pump the men took no risks and of course they spoiled the three-cylinder with an extensive service. “We also flushed the fuel tank and the radiator, cleaned the carburetor and renewed the enormous amount of vacuum hoses; a total of two meters,” says Didier De Leu. 

Original Daihatsu Charade TX Turbo 99 percent approach

Miraculously, the Daihatsu only needed a minimal bit of welding for one of the rear wheels. Didier De Leu: “We did protect the bottom with Brunox and first removed all the surface rust.” The gentlemen were just as diligent in tidying up the bodywork, by spooning out a few dents from the roof and extensively polishing the paintwork, after which they protected it with a ceramic coating.

There was no escaping some spraying. Dad: “There was some damage to one of the rear mudguards, the bumpers and the special Turbo bumpers. We also took care of the inside of the engine compartment. You won’t see any difference in colour, because we managed to have the paint made on steel and to get 99 percent closer to the original.” The result is mouth-watering and the villagers will do the same when the fast Charade passes by at breakneck speed. 

The full article can be found in the June issue of AMK, which is now on newsstands.