During a photo session we suddenly arrived in a southern French setting
Apparently some 'final touches' were put on the whole of a renovated building. At the plot was a DS in a condition that you dream of finding in the South of France. But now you can hardly find them there in such an honestly lived state. The car was visible through the years, but it looked insanely 'real'. It turned out to be the commercial vehicle of 'WARC', architecture and development. We exchanged tickets. We called Marc de Gelder for an appointment.
Marc de Gelder explains: “WARC designs, advises and develops in the field of real estate
This is done independently, in collaboration or on behalf of private individuals, investors, municipalities, housing associations and care parties. By operating at the intersection of architecture and development, WARC is able to initiate integrated plan development itself and advise clients all-round. ” That sounds impressive. WARC works regionally and the assignments do not come digitally, but from the network of satisfied customers.
The work is mainly about tuning between 'old' and 'new'. From that point of view, the company car is also included in a process of improvement and enhancement. Meanwhile, the men from WARC find their customers along the 300 kilometer of unpaved public road that the Achterhoek still knows.
The suspension of the DS has no trouble with it. And the experienced DS is a daily driver and provides endearing glances with every customer contact and a warm welcome. “I wish every colleague his big Audi or BMW. But that approach does not suit us ”. The silver gray DS is happy to shine.
"Les Néerlandais ont volé nos DSses"
The Dutch have stolen our DSsen. The French grumbled afterwards in such a way that so many Tractions went to our country. French classic magazines later blame that 'The Dutch are now coming to steal our CXs'. But all those French classics were then only too happy to be sold. The French actually have nothing with 'past'. That is why more and more old French farms and houses are for sale. The French are amazed that the Dutch - and British - want to buy those old huts.
Want to put all that work into it. For an average French family there is no greater happiness than a new-build house, a tight lawn and a car that is as recent as possible in front of the door. Furthermore, the French share the same approach as the Americans have with their vehicles: You buy the thing and then only keep up with the oil level.
Better than ever
Many of the French classics here are now in a considerably better condition than when they left their home country. We saw that in the DS that was for sale in Brummen. And it was also noted by the Frenchman who bought the car to take him home. Because among all those French people who are focused on pure novelty, there are of course also classic enthusiasts. That again.
Quite a few French classics have since returned home. Many of them were purchased by traders. That is why the DSs and many other French classics are now much more expensive in France than they are here. Because the trade also has to earn on it.
Hello Pascal, For the sake of convenience, the 'generic name' was used. But email the editors, maybe there is a similar nice story to your experiences
Mmmm… I see a gear stick on the steering wheel.
Chances are that this is an ID instead of a DS ..
Nevertheless, a nice car, and I can know it ..