Stop cloned and soulless vehicles
Christophe Nourtier is inexhaustible about "soulless vehicles that invade our urban landscape," about "cars," about their "lack of singularity," about how cars have lost "their symbolic dimension"... Beside him, Philippe Vandenhemel nods in agreement. Indeed, there's nothing new they can tell him, as he's been involved in the classic car market in the United States for 30 years and spends several months a year there. These two are a perfect match, sharing the same struggles and passions. Because car stories are always love stories, and that's not an overstatement when you hear them talk about the curves of a Pontiac GTO hood or the endless fins of a Cadillac.
In the North, it was purring
While he had presided
for 10 years over the destinies of American Garage in Estaimpuis (in Belgium, a few kilometers from Lille), specializing in the import of new, used, and collector vehicles without intermediaries,
Philippe joined forces with Christophe's expertise. A collector and more than enlightened enthusiast, Christophe embarked on this adventure a few months ago. Today, under his impetus, American Classics is setting up next to American Garage and specifically handles the import and sale of collector vehicles. The missing body shop is now operational. Import, sale, consignment, bodywork, restoration, sheet metal work, painting: everything is provided so that you have a perfect, turnkey car, and the only thing left for you is the pleasure of driving and hearing the V6 or V8 rumble.
An epicurean was not mistaken
It is probably no coincidence
that one of our most famous French actors, who enjoys the free love of good wines and good food, and who lived nearby, succumbed to the charms of their American cars. He even bought "more than a few" from them: which is not surprising
for this epicurean man, physically and intellectually out of the ordinary (got it yet?). But when you love, you don't count. Normal, Christophe and Philippe have a contagious passion and recite American brands like a Cyrano tirade (this time, I won't help you any further...).
Stock rating
A rare
Chrysler Imperial from '55, a Chevrolet Malibu to park along a beach, a small 200 hp Ranchero, a Pontiac Grand Prix Tri-Power equipped with a 6.9 liters... The beautiful cars are there for American Classics' future showroom. The most classic ones, of course, and the most iconic, but also those more confidential or more recent in history that all made us fantasize while watching Mannix or the Iron Man. They are just waiting for their owners to put a permanent smile on their faces and to re-enchant our often so sad roads.
Long live "pleasure machines"
As you will have understood, while our companions are experts on the origins, history, and mechanics of their transatlantic beauties, here we are talking above all about pleasure. The workshops (American Garage and American Classics) and their 6 professionals are there to make you forget the problems associated with old cars, so you can keep only the pleasure of driving, indulging in the comfort of leather interiors, cruising on the departmental roads of Hainaut and Flanders, taking those you love, hair in the wind, to the beaches of Knocke or Malo Bray Dunes.
A car "just for you"
Now, if you have a particular desire, if you're a fan of pickups, but only from 1965 of a specific model, or if you're looking for an American car of any make as long as it's pink, or if you don't have any specific desire at all: don't hesitate to contact Christophe. On the website
americanclassics.be, you can challenge him. This rare bird finder will make every effort to find you the car of your dreams. Permanently present in the USA, American Classics has built up an exceptional watch of models from all origins.
A quick trip to Belgium once
Don't hesitate to cross the border to meet Christophe and Philippe. They will always give you the best welcome and will take their time to guide you through their showroom, share their anecdotes, and, above all, the essential Pils beer which, in Belgium, is a prerequisite for any discussion. Then you can count on them to convince you to buy a car seen in a movie rather than an advertisement on TV, to prefer a crackling car radio to a Bluetooth connection, to choose a unique car rather than a vehicle for everyone – in short, to trade your "jalopy" for an American Classic.
Texts: Pascal Lefebvre
Photos: Laurent Scavone / 0033 6 16 77 03
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Christophe Nourtier[/caption]
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Christophe Nourtier[/caption]
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Cadillac[/caption]
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Malibu 350[/caption]
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Ford Mustang[/caption]
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Ford Cobra[/caption]
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Pick-up Ford F150[/caption]
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Ford Mustang[/caption]
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Ford Mustang convertible[/caption]
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Ford Mustang[/caption]
