Our History - or - The „Club of the crazy“

I grew up in northern Germany, in the district of Vechta, a strict catholic and conservative region, but yet my hometown. In 1987, I completed my apprenticeship as car mechanic at Mercedes. In that wonderful summer, I knew for sure: I no longer wanted dealing with cars - I have to do something different! And why not? At that time, the world seemed alright for me - there were clear structures: the young generation were either punks (waver), „Popper“, greenies or the normal-minded one. I belonged to the first category! I’ve always been an outsider anyway.. For me, somehow everything never really minded but at the same time, everything seemed possible. Thus, I spontaneously bought three 2CVs for DM 300 and then (for that one it took a little bit longer), I completed three further apprenticeships. One thing was pretty certain for me that time: I did not know what I really wanted but I surely knew what I didn’t want! From the three 2CVs, I only get one (more or less) working and I had experienced so much with it:I simply enjoyed life in it. Growing up in a village, I was able to break out of the confines with my 2CV, enjoy freedom, escape the stale life. So, I spent the nights drinking beer at the lake, smoked my first joint in it - of course with the roof opened, kissed my first „dream girl“ and so on, attended my first open-air concert, and more and more adventures. Later, after the educational but not really enjoyable apprenticeship, I read a great, probably not very serious report in the newspaper: According to the statistic, 1 cigarette shortens life by 2 minutes, 1 glass of brandy by 4 minutes, whereas a job which we do not really enjoy, shortens life by 8,5 hours a day. So, my girlfriend at that time ( actually my wife for a long time) and I thought that we can take the risk what concerns position 1 and 2. However, regarding position 3, something has to change. That’s how it came about. From the very modest beginnings in a flat-sharing accommodation on a farm, with many deprivations (we had to hold back a lot on position 1 & 2 in order to still have money left over for food), a considerable company has grown up since 1993. And we, my wife and I, can honestly say that the „work“ has not shortened our lives, but enriched them extremely. We will not go into the numerous steps in between from 1993 until today. But one thing is sure: we are still the outsiders, who we used to be, hence considerably older, a few grey hair, more appropriate and wiser - at least according to us! And mavericks prefer dealing with mavericks and other „crazy“ people. And today, we are a colorful bunch of over 30 people, arranging sending car parts worldwide (which I never expected and actually didn’t want). But well, it works fantastically! Well , I still restore my French 2CVs, DS, Renault and Peugeot with greatest delight. I try various reproductions and drive in the bright season daily in my little „treasures“, especially in the 2CV.. That’s just a sentimental thing, you know!

Ey come on, you wouldn’t be reading this if you weren’t also a bit crazy, right? Also had beers or wines or any other weird drinks in your very first car..cuddling with the first boyfriend or girlfriend …Didn’t you love the first car as it gave you the feeling of freedom, which you were longing for? Don’t you also feel nostalgic while seeing that „very first car“ on the road again? And perhaps, you have now recaptured your youth with your old French car: this driving piece of your own life story with a particular stylishness. Perhaps, according to today’s criteria, it may not be pretty, but charming, pragmatic, with which you are always „well-dressed“. Today, we have the spare parts for that „charming lady“! More than 1 million parts can be found in our warehouse. And our wonderful crazy team is happy to assist you, via e-mail, phone or even in person.