French Hatchbacks, Straight Six Sports Cars, and a Classic Truck: Members’ Rides

Good day and welcome back to Members’ Rides! Last week was one of my favorites, and it seems that you all enjoyed it as well. Hard to go wrong with a great story about a road trip in century-old cars. Thanks for coming back for another round. This week, we’re heading back to Europe again to hang out with Manuel. Manuel actually contributed to the site a few times a couple of years back. Now it is my privilege to show you the cars that such a fascinating man drives!

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This write-up is going to be different than any I’ve done before, as I was fortunate enough to hear not only Manuel’s thoughts, but also those of his wife Andrea as they discuss these great cars. To keep things clear, Andrea’s responses will all be in italics.

How did you get into cars?

One day, I decided I didn’t want to look like a fool when taking my car in for a service, so I started doing my maintenance. I felt like a badass changing oil for the first time! That’s how it all started. Then I discovered the fine folks of Jello Picnic. That’s what motivated me to buy my Z4 and try my hand at track driving a few years later.

Still feeling like a lesser enthusiast at this point, I started my quest for a proper project car, and that’s how I bought a Datsun 280Z in 2019. The thing got through a complete bare shell restoration between 2020 and 2024. I did all the disassembly/assembly/mechanical restoration, while I gave my life savings to a very slow (but very good) body shop for the sheet metal work and paint.

What’s currently in the garage?

• 1999 Renault Clio 2
• Peugeot 306
• 2004 BMW Z4
• 1976 Datsun 280Z
• Datsun 720

When did you click with the Clio?

I bought the Clio from my grandpa in 2012 upon returning from my internship in Brasov. He only asked me 500€ to cover the cost of the 120,000km service (which included the timing belt), so it was effectively a free car. At that point, I knew nothing about automobiles and was just glad to be able to get around. I don’t know if you can say I “picked” this car; fate put it in my path, more like.

How has it held up over 300k km?

Those little base models 1.2 petrol are indestructible. I’ve owned it for 13 years, added over 180k km to it, and the list of issues I’ve had is incredibly short:

• Three wheel bearings (a known weak point)
• Brake calipers got stuck a few times
• One front spring broke (those are known to rust)
• Two alternators
• The speed sensor died
• The driver sun sunshade broke
• A bit of rust treatment was needed
• Central locking is toast, so I started to use the door lock more, which wasn’t designed for daily use. I’m on my third driver’s lock at this point

That’s it! It looks like a lot, but keep in mind it happened over the course of 13 years and over 180,000 km! Otherwise, I only did maintenance stuff on it (oil changes, filters, brakes, tires…).

Clio was my first experience in mechanics before getting the car maintenance diploma at school. I felt quite anxious when we performed the first oil change.

What’s the long-term plan for this?

At this point, I’m convinced my Clio is unkillable, and I just want to see how long I can keep it on the road. It costs very little to insure and maintain, it’s quite fuel efficient (~6L/100km), and being a sub-1-ton car, its fun to throw around on the snow and rain. I see no reason not to keep it until it turns to dust!

Clio clearly has its place at home. She is the slowest of our cars, but also the easiest to drive in the tiny city streets. It is easy to park, to maneuver, and, if you know how to speak to her, fun to drive. My preference is to keep my left foot on the pedal as low as possible, use lower shifts, and never, never brake. Manu might not be happy about the fuel consumption, but hell, the little Renault can deliver when you make her scream.

Ooh, a green 306! Love that! What’s the story?

For my 22^nd birthday, our dad offered me and my little brother a car: this 5-door Peugeot 306, with the 1.4 petrol engine making 75 hp. It is green, and from the first day we received her, the paint and clear coat have been peeling. She also smelled of mold and old lady perfume. Her state was all but top-notch, and based on the car’s history, never was.

Despite all that, we were the happiest kids at the time. I began driving it during my first year as an engineering student. She’s pushy, but hey, fuel efficient, easy to maneuver, and maintenance is really cheap. I did not keep her more than a year since we acquired the Z4, and at that time, having three cars seemed to be way too much (wait to see where we are today!). Caroline (it is her name) was brought to my brother, who became the second owner of this fine motor carriage.

She came back to us last year, with the arrival of my little brother’s next project: my niece. He abandoned Caroline for a daddy car (Dacia Dokker), and we had to recover this poor thing back in our house.

How rough was it when you got it back?

She’s bad. She did not pass the inspection, and hence we had work to do. Emissions, body damage, electrical issues, stuck thermostat, and more. Manu was the one performing most of the fixes, despite his disliking the old Pug. That’s how you know you’re in love with someone special!

What does the 306 need?

The inspector failed it for both relevant issues and bullshit reasons:

• The little mechanism that limits the door opening angle is shot
• The engine is abnormally polluting
• The rear wiper motor is dead
• The engine is very oily, pointing to a possible leak (head gasket?)

I’ve fixed all of the above and finally got the thing to pass inspection! Since then, I changed the timing belt, and I’ve also spent a ton of time trying to troubleshoot a charging issue to no avail. I finally paid a pro to do this. He fixed the issue in half an hour. It was only a blown fuse. I’m a mechanical engineer, of course I suck at electrical work!

She still has lots of diseases, and I participated in one of them during my rookie year as a driver. Classic story: garage too narrow, walls too close to the body and *scrountch,* when passing by, I lost one plastic protector and painted the garage green (not so discreet a crime, if I may say so).

Does the 306 drive pretty similarly to the Clio?

I think it kinda drives like crap. The fact that a hose clamp keeps the shift knob in place does not help with the driving experience. It feels slower to me than the Clio, despite the extra power, the clutch is springy, the shifter is as precise as a drunken French hunter, and the tires’ low price can be felt through the peeling steering wheel. I won’t drive it unless it’s literally the only moving vehicle available.

I strongly disagree here. The extra ponies make a clear difference and can be felt when running uphill. It goes faster and does not require pushing the pedal like crazy. Do not let me fool you, it is clearly not fast, but when you know how to handle her, she reaches some great performance. I am what you can call an easy-please pilot; all cars can bring me joy. I just need to find the right engine speed. With Clio and Caroline, the fun is somewhat between 4000 and 4500 rpm (just before the red zone).

What are the plans for this thing?

It smells, drives like ass, the interior is fucked, and the paint is a goner. If it were up to me, we wouldn’t have it taking space in the driveway, but I can’t blame Andrea for getting attached to her first car. I sure am the same way with my Clio. The plan is to get it roadworthy and sell it for a song so that a 20-year-old can get to college in it for a few years. If Andrea can let go, that is!

Caroline will remain with us till we finish the latest project. Currently, I keep using her as a winter daily and for waste disposal (not for her, but for what is inside).

How did you end up with the Z4?

When we were still only students with a low budget and a loan on our back, Manu announced to me he wanted to buy a convertible sports car. We were living 900km apart at the time; he was in Toulouse, in a tiny flat in the middle of a big city. I laughed when I saw the picture of the car and made a silly joke about his virility (which is of course dumb as hell).

When testing it, it was our first time facing the thrills of a really powerful car compared to Clio or Caroline the 306, and our little hearts were convinced by the sound of the roaring inline six and its 231hp. After driving the beautiful Bimmer, I swallowed my past comments and started deeply appreciating this car for what it is: a fun and fast ride.

What all have you changed to make this into a track car?

First, you have to understand that modifying a car in France is not allowed. Basically, you’re allowed some minor cosmetic and interior mods, and that’s it. I tried keeping the car road legal as much as possible to be able to daily it, so I couldn’t go crazy. However, I wanted the car to be more suitable for track use too, which required some improvement on the chassis side.

I approached upgrading the Bimmer like the boring engineer that I am: gradually, using the data gathered to make decisions that led to cost-efficient solutions. That’s why the Z started track duty as fully stock and why she underwent fairly little modification overall. I basically drove it and fixed what was wrong as sub-systems let me down:

• The brakes suck. They suck bad. I changed the fluid, then the pads, then the discs, then the pads again. I also added cooling ducts with homemade 3D printed parts (thanks, Marie-Ange!). At this point, I have an OK-ish set up but I think my brake lines need changing (steel braided lines aren’t street legal here).
• I kept sliding around on the stock leather seat, so I had the foam customized and the leather replaced with Recaro fabric. That was a game-changer.
• At some point, the shocks were worn so I splurged for a set of Bilstein B8.
• The tires have been upgraded to Michelin PS4, then PS5.
• At some point, I came across a 3.64 ratio diff, which fixed the car’s long-ass gearing. It didn’t improve the lap times, but made for a zippier overall experience. That was a long wrenching day to get that baby out.
• I also did some minor ergonomic upgrades (clutch delay valve delete, ZHP shifter, custom clutch pedal stopper).

Any additional plans?

The most important thing that remains is still the brakes, as that’s what’s ruining my fun around the track (not dying is necessary for a successful track day). I have a set of 135i six-piston calipers, but haven’t gotten around to installing them yet. That’s all I’m seeing in the car’s future regarding mods at this point.

Now talk to me about your track days!

The first one happened in 2018. Back then, I had no car buddies, and I was shit scared of tracking my BMW. I had no one to tell me it was no big deal, so I was torn between my need for speed and my fear of the unknown. I spent weeks stressing out about the first track day I had booked.

Then, that fateful June day came. I mustered my courage to line up on the grid, still scared as heck. The light turned green and … I thought huh, it’s just a big one-way road with no cops, right? And just like that, the fear was gone. I was making awful lap times, but I had a blast around the Albi track, and nothing went wrong with the car! I was hooked!

Manu introduced us to track racing, and my first experience was in Z4. She’s fast. Some will say too heavy, and her brakes will agree, but I found the adrenaline so high when rushing with her that it crushes every bad comment we received during those track days.

I just want to support my fellow car-girls who may read this. Please do not pay attention to macho remarks or even the complete and utter neglect you will be subjected to during those track days. The only problem they see? You’re a girl, and even if I do not understand their reasons, they think we are not supposed to be here. Let them stew in their bile and let’s ride!

The Z4 is also a great car to cruise in, with good torque and really comfy (the custom seat we had made really contributes to this result). Letting your hair flow in the wind and listening to her great engine sound is one of life’s best experiences.

What’s been your favorite track?

My most memorable track day was the one at Ledenon. This track is scary as all hell, and there are several blind corners that you take flat out while hoping there is some tarmac after the crest that blocks your view. Andrea and I spent our time screaming at each other to not lift and we had a blast! I ruined some underwear, but it was worth it! I’d love to try this one again, but I’m honestly a little scared to do so!

What led to the addition of the Datsun Z?

It’s you internet people’s fault that I bought it! My life was simple at first! But then Opposite-lock and YouTube happened. Everyone was raving about project cars. Being a naïve fool, I fell for it. I wanted a slice of that Tracy life! I wanted to fix an old cool ride! That’s how it all started! Because of you! I even discovered the existence of the S30 through Jalopnik!

We were not familiar of this car model at first, but learnt to know it after seeing some during car fairs and meets. Manu fell literally in love with this vehicle. It is not particularly popular in France, and we saw few of them. It has elegant lines, and the fact that it is rare rings a bell for me. I do appreciate the little maintenance and practical stuff inside, such as the lamp under the car hood and the straightforward mechanics.

So, in 2019, with no garage, no tools, and no skills, I started looking for a manual, series 2, Safari Gold 240Z. I quickly realized that looking for this precise combo was tough (the series 2 was not even made in Safari Gold). I had to broaden my search gradually until it was literally just “manual, running S30, not rotten to hell.”

And then you found this beauty?

I found an ad for a white manual 280Z five hours away from where I lived. I contacted the seller and we met so I could inspect the car. It was indeed driving; the suspension and brakes had been overhauled, and the only rust I could find while poking at the sheet metal with a screwdriver for over 20 minutes was a little bubble on the windshield cowling. No big deal! Numbers were discussed, papers signed, and a few weeks later, I had the car delivered to my home on a trailer.

Was I thrilled when Manu came back with a 40-year-old lady in the inner city of Toulouse? Nope! I may have grumbled for a long time period with practical concerns: where to park it? We were living in an inner city flat, where to work on her? Where to do the maintenance? Manu was talking about a full restoration; did we have the budget, and most importantly, the time and space for it? The man did better than answer those questions and rented a 380 square-foot warehouse, a 20-minute drive from home. We went there almost every weekend, and yeah, the project began being fun.

Was it in pretty good shape?

I quickly understood why the previous owner advised against driving the Z back home. The fuel tank was rusty, sending debris down the fuel lines. The filter got clogged up, which made the engine stall after a few kilometers. I had that tank fixed, then I kept the car untouched for about a year to make sure there were no additional mechanical issues, and thankfully, nothing major broke. I was very reassured about the quality of my specimen! It just needed a bit of rust treatment and a paint job.

During that first year. I must confess that this Fairlady turned out to be a blast to drive. No aid, you are alone in front of the steering wheel, and if it turns, it is only because you sweat for it.

After this glorious period, it was time for her to dive deep into the fountain of youth, and here began the great project: the one that would last longer than expected and put her to sleep for more than three long years.

What else have you done to the Z?

To tend to the body, I went to Retrocarrosserie, a reputable body shop in the Toulouse area. I asked for a quote for a localized rust fix and a paint job, but the boss told me he refused to half ass a classic car. Being an optimistic idiot, I agreed to do it right and take the car apart to the last bolt.

The first day into disassembly, I realized the body shop owner was right; rust was hiding in several spots, and the car was to undergo extensive surgery to get the tin worm out of the chassis. It spent over two years in the shop getting sand blasted, cut up, rewelded, primed, sanded, seam-sealed, primed again, sanded again, and painted. I did some of the grunt work (mainly sanding), and I now have the utmost respect for bodywork people. It’s hard! Sanding is so freaking boring!

What came next?

Once the body was sorted, after more than two years, it took us around six months to put the car back together. We fixed many small issues along the way: we restored the entire heating system, polished the AC copper lines, resealed the entire engine, swapped the gauges for metric ones, repainted a multitude of brackets, swapped tired parts for new units, installed a 5-speed transmission in place of the original 4-speed, changed the fuel rail and injectors, rewired the fuel pump, put Dynamat in the entire cabin, reupholstered a few bits … It was a lot of work and it’s still not 100% finished.

What do you still have to do?

Finish up the interior (there is no headliner and I want to have a radio instead of a gaping hole in the dash), find a solution to get the AC working, fix some gauges, and some bits and bobs. It’s a never-ending process!

Even so, now that she’s back with us, rolling, in bright Safari Gold dress, Daphné is looking amazing and still rewards us with a great driving experience on cruising weekends in our mountain roads and at car exhibits like Le Mans Classic.

How often do you drive the Z?

Despite its unfinished state, it’s good enough to be driven, and hooned even! I was basically driving it to work every chance I had in the few weeks after she started back up. I also took it to several car gatherings, and people dig it! The Z isn’t very common in Europe, and the 280Z even less so, so it attracts a fair bit of attention every time I take it out for a spin. The only critique I’ve heard was about the non-original color, but hey, people are allowed to be wrong, including British goth designers!

How’s it drive?

I love driving this thing; it smells, it’s noisy, it vibrates, and fights you the entire time, which makes driving it a challenge. It feels like every outing is a workout and a small victory, which is very rewarding! I know my perspective is skewed because I pour my heart and soul (and blood, sweat, and savings) into this thing, but I find the driving experience great.

The feeling of the steering especially is wonderful! You can really feel the road texture. I took it to the track once and the car was so easy to read. Every weight transfer, the texture of the road, the grip available … everything could be felt through the wheel and the ol’ butt dyno. It is all very retro and can’t be compared to anything modern, which is the whole point of a classic to me. Plus, it’s one of the most beautiful vehicles ever penned.

What’s your favorite memory with this beauty?

I had my best driving experience ever on the race track with her. She communicates with you, harshly, but frankly, like this old friend that will straightforward tell you that this dress is making you a sad potato sack and you’d rather burn it.

My best memory behind her large, thin steering wheel was in 2020. I was racing on a straight in Nogaro, and we were getting towards a fast left turn. But too fast, way too fast. I pushed the brake pedal, strongly, as one does on track, and then … nothing. The wheels locked up and we were sliding towards the wall.

Manu at my side was yelling something and I did remember a piece of advice of his: if you lose the brakes, then pump! And I followed the procedure, calmly, pumping the pedal to slowly but steadily reclaim the braking power.

Oh, sweet control was back, Daphné slowed down, tilting her nose down, the rear slid a tad, but the speed was perfect for that turn. We made it and left the wall on our side in a cloud of tire smoke, relief and a good amount of sweat. She’s not the fastest car we own, but she’s definitely the one that made the most butterflies in my stomach. That was quite the day!

What about you, Manuel?

This old Nissan basically taught me everything I know about fixing cars, and it’s still teaching me. Trial and error is a very effective way to learn!

Beyond the mechanical skills, it also taught me to trust myself. I tend to overblow difficulties when starting anything new. That prevented me from trying new things for a while and made me feel bad about my lack of courage. Now I’m like, “That can’t be harder than putting a car back together.” That’s how I found the courage to start working as a freelancer, buy a house, and take on a real rust heap (more on that later).

I’m still in contact with Thibaut who sold me the car. My love of the Z made me meet Jeff, a former colleague in Seattle who gave me an L28 for free! He’s a crazy bastard racing 510s and making all kinds of incredible mods. We’re still chatting despite living 9 time zones apart. I owe all those awesome encounters to my Z!

And now what’s the new rust heap?

I could begin Patrick’s story in a similar way to the Daphné section. I was definitely not happy to hear Manu so amped up about acquiring a new vehicle. We had at this time: two winter cars (Clio 2, Peugeot 306), two summer ones (Z4 and Daphné), and two motorbikes (125s: Rebel and CBR). And, I might add, we both said weeks before that we had ENOUGH vehicles. So, when mister told me, “Oh but check this out, it is sooo cheap!”, I was less than pleased!

I am not familiar with the fuck-it money concept. Money is money, and you’d better use it for greatness. Do you know how the guy convinced me? The sly fox sold me a welding project (I am a welding auditor at work) and bought a combined welding station (MIG, TIG, here we go). The truck was cute, seemed robust, rustic, and was abandoned under a pine tree with a fair amount of rust. I took pity on the rust heap, and Manu went on a 10-hour drive with Olivier, one very good (and crazy) friend to fetch it. We had the good surprise to see that the beast was surprisingly functioning and was just in need of a new battery.

How do you like it so far?

I like to drive it. It is smaller than expected, narrow, and fairly nice to drive. Don’t get me wrong, nothing will help you to turn, and it is a nightmare to park, no need to pay for a gym club when you want to maneuver at low speed, your biceps must be up to the challenge. But the big 2.5L diesel engine will take you to the ends of the world, as long as you are in no hurry. Torque, ladies and gentlemen, is a blessing.

72hp for a 1400kg truck is ridiculously underpowered, but it’s part of the charm. Just roll the window down, rest your arm on the perfectly positioned sill, and just chill to the sound of that forklift engine. The soft suspension makes you bounce around gently on the seat while you’re signaling the aggro VWs and BMWs behind you that they can overtake, you don’t mind. They’ve got power, you’ve got time.

Beyond the cool road manners, we got a decent off-roader too! It’s got manual lockers, a low gear, and 4WD. I got to take it on the trail with Olivier and I manage to follow his highly modified Delica the entire day. Sometimes I just take the small gravel roads around the house to play with the transfer case lever.

Since we are happily owners of a house with a big garden, it is our best tool to bring in and out greens, waste, and heavy stuff.

What are the plans for it?

We have great plans for Patrick the pick-up and we’ll learn how to make it more civilized by removing the rust and welding some patches to use the bed properly.

We will also build a custom flatbed while we fix the stock one. It’s the perfect opportunity to whip up my 3D scanner, do some CAD design and get acquainted with our cheap welder. That truck is basically going to be a big metal work learning opportunity. It’s not like we need it to be pretty anyway.

Thanks, Andrea and Manuel!

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