Bienvenue
A warm welcome
Renault may be French, but it’s not all about France. Or even Europe. I was able to experience just that recently during a week in Brazil. It was there that I had a rare chance to drive all the current models unknown to Europe, visit collectors, attend a weekly (!) classic car event and much more...
When being treated so well, it’s not difficult to enjoy things to the fullest. On the first day of my visit I was a guest of a man who owns the largest collection of Ford Corcels. Pardon my French? A Ford? In a magazine dedicated to Renault? Oh yes indeed, but please have a look for yourself to the article it produced in this issue of Losange Magazine.
Brazil’s current Renault plant is located near the city of Curitiba. This is a moderate city. Well, relatively, as it still counts 1.8 million inhabitants. It is where Renaults have been built for 20 years now. I had the chance to see the production lines, the brand new engine components factory, the press shop and also some of the social initiatives this plant generate. Brazil counts no less than 23 manufacturers of motor vehicles, all with their own production facilities. Manufacturers who have concessionaires only are hardly taken seriously.
I was impressed by the role that Renault played in this big country in the 1960s. It was a role that has not yet been forgotten by the fans, but which continues to be appreciated. I visited places where the regular tourist would not come, sealed off from the outside world. How about a collector who’d parked his beautifully restored Alpine A108 right into his living room? Or a meet-up with Bird Clemente, a lovely man of 80 years young, who still is considered a great name in his own country because of his motor sports activities. He made a lasting impression on the racing tracks in the 1960s, when he raced the Dauphine and Alpine A108. The general public was impressed, too, when he showed them the possibilities of a Gordini. And don’t be mistaken about that name. A Gordini means a Dauphine Gordini to the Brazilians. Yes, the French four-door was built in quantities of tens of thousands by Willys Overland do Brasil in the 1960s.
But the most lasting impression came from all the people that I met. What a friendly, warm welcome was I given. As a European with a clear passion for the cars from their country, the Brazilians seemed to treasure my interest. That is why I want to deeply thank José, Sergio, Caïque, Glenda, Lucas, Aichner, Bird, Mauricio, Rogério, Cesar, Bob…
Tony Vos, editor/publisher Losange Magazine
