Miguel Sánchez
PHOTOS YVONNE ABGRALL / PEUGEOT 203: FRANCE24 / PEUGEOT
Reducing complex debates to statements as resounding as they are terse makes us repellent. A repelus that we feel more and more, since Due to social networks, the aggressive tribal neurosis that many carry inside easily comes out. However, and without serving as a precedent, a few days ago we saw some of these "memeThat did get our attention. He came to the thread of the Climate Summit held in Madrid, saying that "To pollute less is to preserve your car and not change it for a new one every five years."
Being published on a page dedicated to the classics, this message was inserted into the controversy on traffic restrictions to these vehicles. And well, he's largely right. In short, the transition to electricity is of little use if this is going to be a simple new furious market. One of those where you are encouraged to renew the product almost after buying it. Perhaps the key point is not the transition to electric, but tackling planned obsolescence and the culture of compulsive consumption.
We are not talking about living like in the dystopian dump of Blade Runner or Mad Max, but we are talking about appreciate a quality product designed to last. In that sense, the fans who constantly restore and repair their vehicles seem to us the most consistent. Even more so if, as is the case with this lady, they have been using and pampering the same car since 1954.
PEUGEOT 203 FROM 1954. 65 YEARS OLD AND STILL IN PERFECT CONDITION
Yvonne Abgrall is 94 years old, very well-behaved judging by the cuteness of her eyes. This French woman from the Norman town of Norolles - close to the D-Day beaches - has been driving the same Peugeot 1954 since 203. 70 years ago he got his driving license and, although he initially bought the 203 for his business delivering butter, it continues to be, after 65 years, his daily vehicle. And few French cars have been as versatile and resistant as the Peugeot 203.
Responsible for the resurgence of Peugeot after World War II, the 203 was on the assembly line from 1948 to 1960. Conceived as a passenger car inspired by American lines, its wide variety of bodies made him be a champion of the derivations. You had it in a saloon, but also in a station wagon, station wagon, van, four-door cabriolet and even a convertible coupe.
A very varied model in which, in addition, you could sleep. Since the Peugeot 203 was - from 1954 - the first production car with folding seats to unfold a double bed. Something very practical, like their robust mechanics that also excelled in races such as the Mille Miglia or Monte Carlo Rally. In short, a very complete car despite its sober appearance. How not to keep it circulating like Mrs. Abgrall does?
YVONNE AND KATHLEEN. STORIES THAT ARE REPEATED
Beyond all the colleagues who still keep their vehicles for rallies, the truth is that there are stories of people who carry decades using the same car every day. In that sense we remember the story we published a few months ago, in which Volkswagen itself carried out a comprehensive restoration of the Kathleen Brooks Beetle at its Puebla plant.
Who knows, maybe Peugeot will take note and do the same with Mrs. Abgrall. Even more so if we take into account that the lion brand has based a good part of its latest advertising efforts on wink at your classics. And it is that, like it or not, these never go out of style.
