A story by Brecht (22) about a rescue operation to give a dilapidated car a new future. Buying a neglected car often has a less pleasant aspect, namely the amount of work, but that was precisely the big challenge for her. She ended up in Emmen with her father via the internet. The seller told her that the “thing” had been owned by a hippie couple in recent years and had then been in a commune in Germany. (You are what you drive, and that was very telling here.)
With rusted sheet metal, broken windows, a very bad interior, dull and plastered paint and an expected engine overhaul – what possessed her to buy it? When she saw the neglected Renault she felt a strong excitement: she had to have this one. She immediately gave the car a pet name: Willem.
Classic car hobby: a constant source of pleasure
She likes to explain in her own words how she got into the hobby:
“Despite its poor condition, I saw a great little car through my rose-tinted glasses. The man I bought it from brought her (a French car is feminine) to my home. I started on it that same evening; I couldn’t put it down. It was the start of seven months of enjoyment: welding the bodywork, sewing new seat covers, covering the roof, overhauling the engine and painting the entire bus – the picture complete. As a finishing touch, I made a bed in it, nice and cozy. I’ve been driving it for over a year now. It may be strange that I call the car Willem? Oh well, just humor. My father also called his old surfboard Willem, that’s why!”
Characteristic Renault
Driving is an authentic experience; it is simply a very nice car, if only because of the recognizable engine sound. Renault is the common thread in Brecht's life: after getting her driver's license, her first love began - a Renault 5. Her affection for this little rascal has remained, but it is now waiting in the garage for the assembly of a Renault 5 Turbo block that she has found. And yes, she does that herself of course - respect! And without technical experience, the challenge is even greater.
Indestructible enthusiasm
Her story is a testimony to indestructible enthusiasm. She has become a passionate technician. The Renault 4 was of course once a mass vehicle, designed and produced to move us easily. That they would have a very long life probably never occurred to the manufacturers – it was a consumer item and a profit maker. Fortunately, the square tin box still has many enthusiasts and is popular with hobbyists. Brecht is one of them!
(The photos continue below.)
My first car in 1984 was also a blue 4F4, the first car with a speed limiter: above 100 the clutch started to slip…..
cost only 100 guilders at the time.
Had a lot of fun with it, transported a lot with it.
Beautiful, compliments!
Hi Brecht, how wonderful to see. This was my very first car, 20 years ago, my boyfriend from back then painted those flowers on it. I was crazy about this car, but I didn't drive it for very long because the bodywork was already in such bad condition. Have fun with Willem! (Coincidentally, that's my father's name).
Caren
Hey Caren! How nice to read! I have covered the roof lining with a flower print to do her old flowers justice! And she is being driven a lot. If you would like to see her again, please feel free to send me a message. She is in Heerenveen.
Hi Brecht, at which email address can I ask you a question about your Four on behalf of the R4 Club Netherlands? Mail me via vrijbuiter@r4club.nl
Good story!
Welcome to the club😉
It's great that this R4 is being brought back to life. The passion with which all that work is being carried out is fantastic. I always thought those R4s were really nice cars, just like the 2CVs. If there's one thing I miss in today's street scene, it's really those two cars. I think it's really great that you're restoring that R4 Brecht. You're already well on your way and many can learn from that. Good luck with all that work! Who knows, maybe I'll see you driving it one day 👍🏼
Nice report, very inspiring to read, keep it up!
I didn't know Emmen was in Driesum... haha
Well, better to start cheap and end expensive, than the other way around. That's different with hippies; they stay cheap.
In a fresh white finish you don't have to smoke weed; you'll hallucinate automatically.
Hats off, super cool, very nice that you do this!
Well done Brächt! Nice car like that. 🙂
*Brecht
Thank you!😁