So the story starts back in September 2015 when I began bidding on a ropey looking Dauphine on eBay. The thing was looking sorry for itself, covered in faded paint and rust spots. Natural Patina Win 
I’ve had views in the past of getting a properly classic Renault and slamming it for that hard retro look. I did have a brief soiree with a Renault 8 but time and circumstances meant I didn’t keep her and finish her off. Any way back to this car, I contacted the seller and had a chat about the car, where it had come from and what was needed. He wasn’t interested in an out of eBay sale so I chanced it with a cheeky bid. I’m one of those people who don’t put the full amount down though as I like to think that I can get it cheaper that way. Well all was going well until I missed the end of the auction and got out bid at the end......
Now these don’t come up for sale often so I started browsing other options. VW Notchback would of been cool, even a square back. Not one came up within my budget though. I did then decide that even if one came up it still wouldn’t be a Renault. Something different and hardly seen on the roads. I do have a kind of fetish for Renaults for some reason. Must be a First car thing.
A few Months went by and nothing else was coming up until whilst having a meet up with some "car friends" as the Mrs calls them one mentioned he knew of one on someone’s drive.......... I did a drive by of the place and sure enough outside was an off red faded and cracked paint Dauphine. I decided to do some research before I approached the owner. Turn out it was a 1965 car that hadn't been taxed since 1995, so 20 years off the road, it looked to be complete and the tyres were still inflated. Could be on to a winner here.
Time passed by and with a little family around and recent new employment cars take a bit of a back seat. 2 months later and we are near Christmas and I found some time to knock on the door. Greeted by the wife at first I explained my intentions and I got what I felt was a very good response back, you know a good feel for the situation, the car needed saving and I was its saviour. The car was owned by her husband who was at work though. She asked me to either pop back that evening or on the 24th as he would be in all day then. I left with a good gut feeling that I was going to be taking the car away with me........you can see where this is going can’t you...... I returned that eve to be told the husband/owner was running late so wasn’t available. No worries Christmas Eve it will be. I rocked up late morning to the property, Mrs sat in the car waiting for me to seal the deal on another rusty old Renault (she’s a star really as much as she hates me spending too much time on them) and I ring the doorbell. I wait a while, give a knock as I can see they are in and then I hear the door unlock. The husband answers the door, an angry little fellow who reminds me of a shrunken but tanned Doc Brown, His wife stands behind him, it’s on!!!!! I greet him and introduce myself and say I had already spoken to his wife regarding the Dauphine. I ask if she is for sale as he starts to move closer, you know coming in a little too close for comfort as if he’s knowingly invading your personal space... He looks me up and down and says "nope" then proceeds to try and walk through me and towards his other cars. How Fricking Rude!!!!! I ask again as I’m a little taken back by this. To which His reply was “leave your number and if I even think of selling I might contact you" I turn and walk back to the car bemused by how rude some people can be. My good lady asked if I gave him my number, not a chance was I giving this C**t my money ever, even if it was for a car I wanted.
I’ve had views in the past of getting a properly classic Renault and slamming it for that hard retro look. I did have a brief soiree with a Renault 8 but time and circumstances meant I didn’t keep her and finish her off. Any way back to this car, I contacted the seller and had a chat about the car, where it had come from and what was needed. He wasn’t interested in an out of eBay sale so I chanced it with a cheeky bid. I’m one of those people who don’t put the full amount down though as I like to think that I can get it cheaper that way. Well all was going well until I missed the end of the auction and got out bid at the end......Now these don’t come up for sale often so I started browsing other options. VW Notchback would of been cool, even a square back. Not one came up within my budget though. I did then decide that even if one came up it still wouldn’t be a Renault. Something different and hardly seen on the roads. I do have a kind of fetish for Renaults for some reason. Must be a First car thing.
A few Months went by and nothing else was coming up until whilst having a meet up with some "car friends" as the Mrs calls them one mentioned he knew of one on someone’s drive.......... I did a drive by of the place and sure enough outside was an off red faded and cracked paint Dauphine. I decided to do some research before I approached the owner. Turn out it was a 1965 car that hadn't been taxed since 1995, so 20 years off the road, it looked to be complete and the tyres were still inflated. Could be on to a winner here.
Time passed by and with a little family around and recent new employment cars take a bit of a back seat. 2 months later and we are near Christmas and I found some time to knock on the door. Greeted by the wife at first I explained my intentions and I got what I felt was a very good response back, you know a good feel for the situation, the car needed saving and I was its saviour. The car was owned by her husband who was at work though. She asked me to either pop back that evening or on the 24th as he would be in all day then. I left with a good gut feeling that I was going to be taking the car away with me........you can see where this is going can’t you...... I returned that eve to be told the husband/owner was running late so wasn’t available. No worries Christmas Eve it will be. I rocked up late morning to the property, Mrs sat in the car waiting for me to seal the deal on another rusty old Renault (she’s a star really as much as she hates me spending too much time on them) and I ring the doorbell. I wait a while, give a knock as I can see they are in and then I hear the door unlock. The husband answers the door, an angry little fellow who reminds me of a shrunken but tanned Doc Brown, His wife stands behind him, it’s on!!!!! I greet him and introduce myself and say I had already spoken to his wife regarding the Dauphine. I ask if she is for sale as he starts to move closer, you know coming in a little too close for comfort as if he’s knowingly invading your personal space... He looks me up and down and says "nope" then proceeds to try and walk through me and towards his other cars. How Fricking Rude!!!!! I ask again as I’m a little taken back by this. To which His reply was “leave your number and if I even think of selling I might contact you" I turn and walk back to the car bemused by how rude some people can be. My good lady asked if I gave him my number, not a chance was I giving this C**t my money ever, even if it was for a car I wanted.
