Of monasteries and castles… and classic Peugeots

The APH (Association Peugeot Hollande) spring event - with the melodious name Hollands Glorie - was scheduled for April 20, 2024. The ride with Peugeots from the rich past left impressive tracks through the leafy, green Brabant landscape last weekend. It was as if the rain gave way to the beauty that passed through the Brabant country.

The participants in the spring ride brought together thirty-five beautiful French voitures from yesteryear. They provided a beautiful contrast with the flourishing fauna. Nature and classics, who says they can't go together beautifully? The whole was complemented by beautiful rural buildings, which completed the picture. In any case, the organizers Ans and Dick Kroesbergen (both affiliated with the APH) had chosen a beautiful setting to showcase the thirty-five classics and their participants. And they managed - also thanks to their local knowledge - to put together a very nice event with a ditto route.

The other association volunteers, often unmentioned, but so important in Dutch classic club events, had also fully contributed to the 'finishing touch'. The route in particular, along many historic buildings and through idyllic small hamlets and towns, had it all. . A variety of monasteries, churches and even a two-century-old bell foundry were featured. 

The diversity within the classic Peugeot field of participants was great. A handful of pre-war Peugeot models such as the 301 and the 302 were included. Remarkable was the relatively large delegation of owners with a 203 and a 403. The various 404 and 504 examples were of slightly more recent stature. And nice: the types 205 and 309, which are becoming increasingly popular in classic circles, completed the whole package. There is plenty of variation within the preference for Peugeot models, which merged in the shared brand love of the participating owners.

The start took place in Uden, and the first sixty kilometers were covered under the rays of the sun. The participants drove through the heritage on beautiful shortcuts with quaint roads towards the lunch location. Inside Heeswijk Castle, everyone could enjoy a tasty intermezzo within an attractive environment. The afternoon stage also went excellently, and a bonus was that the ride also passed beautiful places, without a splash of rain landing on the classic French sheet steel. The classic Peugeots gloried under the quintessentially Dutch beautiful cloudy skies.

A day of enjoyment in North Brabant with historic Peugeots ended appropriately. Back at the place where the ride started - in Uden - the participants could enjoy a cozy and excellent buffet. The impressions of the day were discussed in a relaxed manner and could sink in pleasantly. And those impressions ensured a dignified and valuable start to the Peugeot classic season. And that traditionally has many wonderful things in store for the owners and fans of French heritage.

Thanks to Arie-Jan Vreeken for the text and images