Peugeots in the polder. A wonderful day with the Association Peugeot Hollande

Photos: Arie-Jan Vreeken and Erik van Putten

Sometimes a number in the month heralds a beautiful memory. An unforgettable day in that corner of the classic car world where I've felt at home for years. It's the world of classic Peugeots. Coincidence or not: on May 18th, Cor Tjepkema and I drove the Gaasterland ride, with his 404. Surrounded by Peugeot heritage. And now a beautiful autumn ride is planned, in the province of Flevoland. In my native soil. The Association Peugeot Hollande organizes it. Once again, the eighteenth is in the month. Because the ride is scheduled for October 18th. It must be that coincidences don't exist. In fact, for entirely different reasons, I know they do.

The day before, we'll be filming a fantastic feature story with Cor and his Peugeot 404. He'll be the star of one of the upcoming AMK magazine features. And for good reason. The 404 is celebrating a significant anniversary this year, as it's been 65 years since the Peugeot and Pininfarina creation graced the automotive world with its arrival. Cor has other commitments today.

The alarm clock is set, but I'm awake well before it alerts me to the start of the new day. I'm looking forward to this day, really looking forward to it. Arie-Jan and Bianca invited me, and I'm very grateful for that. And I'm meeting them again today, after a long time. That's another reason why I'm so excited to get into the Omega quite early, parking it an hour after departure at the beautiful, recently opened APH warehouse in Lelystad. Neatly, off to the side, a day spent in the shade of the classic Peugeot Spectro that exudes beautiful history in the spacious grounds. A little later, Arie-Jan and I exchange gifts, a ritual that's developing into a pleasant tradition.

There's coffee, and I catch up with old acquaintances and people who are becoming new acquaintances. I take the first photos. My camera captures some beautiful pre-war work. Welcome to the world of the -01 type and the post-war models. The 203 is well represented, and the 403 also plays a beautiful tune within the APH spectrum in Lelystad. I was born during the -04 era myself, and I'm well catered for in that respect. Beautiful 504s (the Injection from Brabant and the Ti owned by Patrick and Saskia from Limburg are magnificent), 304 Cabriolets, a few lovely 504 Cabriolets (including the recently acquired Abe Kornelis), 404 Berlines, and the magnificent late 404 Coupé Injection owned by Edward van Zanten make me very happy.

This also applies to the trip across the bottom of the former Zuiderzee. This takes place in two acts. Today I'm driving Bianca and Arie-Jan's Peugeot 308 CC. The latter is happy to take moving photosHe captures every journey this way. Today is no exception. The large roof opens; the autumn weather is beautiful. The photographer shoots upwards several times, capturing countless images in fractions of a second. And meanwhile, the realization dawns that many a classic Peugeot is older than the Flevopolders. And some are even older than the Noordoostpolder.

Part one of the journey takes me from Lelystad, along the IJsselmeer dike and the Ketelbrug bridge parallel road to the area where I was born. The Noordoostpolder is no longer a barren stretch of Zuiderzee seabed, but now beautifully vegetated. The familiar landscape passes serenely by, and the Schokland World Heritage site and the adjacent roads are enchanting. The polder landscape both contrasts and embraces the former island in the Zuiderzee. And it reinforces the sweet memories of the first fourteen years of my life. My roots, anchored in the polder soil, bring a slight shiver to the surface. I always feel it when I'm in the Noordoostpolder. And today, behind the wheel of the 308 CC, I feel it even more. The setting, the people, the surrounding classic cars: they make this day perfect.

After a delicious lunch with well-filled sandwiches and a cup of warming soup, we prepare for part two of the tour. This takes us through the Flevopolder, past Lake Veluwe, and through stretches of polder landscape that rival the beauty of the old country. It's a delight touring in the 308 CC; the automatic transmission does its job, and so does Arie-Jan. His efforts result in beautiful pictures that perfectly capture the charm of old Peugeots and the sometimes surprising back roads of the polder. And speaking of surprises: it's remarkable how lively the two 203s ahead of us are. The owners don't hesitate to put their foot down. The Peugeots don't flinch, the 1290 cc engines revving vigorously. The sound comes through wonderfully thanks to the open CC roof of the 308. Fantastic.

After the ride, our base camp is back at the warehouse, a beautiful and relatively new building. It's a testament to the pleasant atmosphere within the APH. It's no wonder people who come from far and wide linger for extended periods, enjoying the atmosphere of understated chic. Klaas Kostelijk, one of the driving forces behind the Association Peugeot Hollande, pays tribute to a few more members. And afterward, we'll take a quick look inside the warehouse. At trade fairs, you sometimes see... new old parts, which are so pleasantly understated. I see it inside the warehouse too, and it blends in beautifully with the Peugeot automobilia and vintage images that form the decor of the beautiful building.

The participants slowly return home with their beautiful French classics. The day together was wonderful, and everyone has their own fond memories of the journey home. It couldn't be otherwise. This day is another ongoing snapshot, one that tells us why classic cars connect. Why pleasant people can connect. This happens thanks to beautiful vintage cars, bearing the Peugeot brand name. And it happens within a landscape that is much more surprising than many realize.

Écrit pour ceux qui rendu cette journée possible et y participé. Et pour Ellis.