"And then occasionally a truck would come driving from the opposite direction, and then bam, the window would slam shut again!" Francien Engelsman laughs heartily as she tells me this story about her time on Ameland. She often drove around the island during the summer months in her 2CV or Volkswagen Beetle. I've come to visit her for coffee to talk about her rides with the Volkswagen bus from Tony's Classic Drive, but especially to hear her stories and experiences with classic cars. With a cup of coffee in hand and a twinkle in her eyes, she takes me back to memories that go much further than the day trips with the Volkswagen T2 bus. RTV Noord previously made beautiful reports about our tours.
The wind through your hair, the sun on your face, and the road rushing by while you have the window open: these are the memories that Francien still treasures from her time on Ameland. There she often drove her 2CV or her Volkswagen Beetle between the villages, enjoying the freedom to run errands or just drive around.
Francien has now participated three times in the classic car rides from Tony's Classic Drive called "Busje Komt Zo" (Bus is Coming). Where we provide seniors with a day out while we test our new routes for corporate outings. These rides with seniors not only provide us with fun and companionship. We also get to hear personal stories about the classic cars. "My husband used to have a Renault 4L, I still remember having to pull hard on the choke!" Francien recalls laughingly. Not only are many memories retrieved during these rides, but new ones are also made.
Forgotten Roads and New Acquaintances
What appeals most to Francien about these vintage car tours is the connection that emerges. "I enjoy everything: drinking coffee, meeting new people," she tells us. That first ride in the Citroën DS to the Menkemaborg, where Anton always helped her get in and out, was immediately a success. She proudly showed the photos taken during that ride to her entire family.
It's that conviviality and togetherness that Francien so appreciates. She once moved from Rotterdam to Groningen at twenty-five for her husband's work. That social aspect, meeting new people, she's always enjoyed that.
But it's not just about the people. For Francien, these rides also mean exploring new parts of the Northern Dutch landscape. "The most beautiful thing was that we drove over back roads where I would normally never go or would never think to go," she tells us.
Those winding roads, the land consolidation roads, the places you normally never visit because you just drive straight to your destination, those are precisely the routes that make driving with classic cars for rent so special. It's as if you're getting to know the country anew, away from the highways and cities.
From PolarSteps to Busje Komt Zo
Francien likes to keep in touch with her family and follows her grandchildren's travels via PolarSteps. "I think that's wonderful," she says. As a joke, she suggested that she might need to keep her own PolarSteps of her adventures with the "Busje Komt Zo" group. Who knows, that might become reality during one of the next oldtimer rides!
Come Along Too!
Just like Francien, you too can experience what it feels like to tour through the Dutch landscape in a classic car. Share the magic of vintage cars with your (grand)parents or family. At Tony's Classic Drive, we believe that the most beautiful stories emerge on the road. For example, through laughing about a quirky choke, the silence at a beautiful view, or discovering forgotten roads together. Because ultimately, it's not just about the cars, but about the people you share the journey with and the memories you create together.
Drive the past and create timeless memories. Do you want to create new memories with us and retrieve old ones? You can. Feel free to book a car on our website.
