The passion was already there before the purchase of the 4CV; it was the desire to acquire additional technical skills that was born with this car.
For once, we're going to meet some of the valley's inhabitants today, whose passion has made them famous!
Michel is passionate about cars, and to be precise, classic cars. He teams up with Paul, who is also passionate… but not quite in the same way.
They both enjoy working on the restoration and recommissioning of old cars, but Michel is passionate about restoring the bodywork while Paul has his hands in the engine to bring these old ladies back to life!
Drawing on their respective experience and eager to offer their help to other enthusiasts, Michel and Paul provide training and enable others to learn and, in turn, bring old cars back to life!
To better understand how things work at Chrome & Carbu, we asked Michel a few questions.
Hello Michel!
As usual, I'll let you introduce yourself to our readers with the usual basic information: who are you, where do you come from, and what do you do for a living?
Originally from Scherwiller, I arrived in Thanvillé in 2012. It was the love of old stones and vintage cars that led us to convert a barn into a home and workshop.
I began my professional career in human resources management as an employee, then as an independent consultant. Wishing to combine my passion for classic cars with my work, I created a training workshop in mechanics and bodywork.
I believe the story of Chrome & Carbu began because of, or rather thanks to, an old Renault, a 1958 4CV Sport that you bought but which turned out to be in worse condition than expected. Could you tell us that story?
The 4CV I bought in 1993 was supposed to be an easy restoration project… except that it was far more rusted than it looked. It had been disguised with thick layers of filler. It was upon discovering the extent of the work – and my own limitations – that I looked for a way to train myself in mechanical and bodywork restoration.
So, this passion for restoring old cars, and especially this love for old car bodies, was born from this story with this 4 CV?
The passion was already there before the purchase of the 4CV; it was the desire to acquire additional technical skills that was born with this car.
Then it clicks! The idea comes to you to pass on your knowledge to people who, like you, find themselves faced with an old car that is not necessarily in good condition and who do not know where to start.
I imagine all of this didn't happen overnight, and that you yourself must have undergone training to be able to provide it. Could you tell us a little about that part of your story?
I attended a training course organized by an association in the Haut-Rhin region more than 15 years ago. It was interesting, but a bit too theoretical. I then mainly benefited from the advice of a friend, Alfred, for several years.
Who comes to your house?
Is there a specific age range? Is your expertise sought for a particular type of vehicle, or can anyone, regardless of the vehicle they own, come to you simply out of passion and with the aim of completing a restoration project?
The trainees range in age from about 12 to 70. They come to Chrome & Carbu to acquire basic knowledge in mechanics, automotive electrical systems, or bodywork, or to refine their skills. Most trainees already own a classic car, but others come before buying one, seeking advice beforehand. The passion starts young, and I've had the pleasure of welcoming several young people accompanied by a parent.
Your training courses aren't just about bodywork, I believe. You're supported by your friend Paul, who's the engine mechanics specialist.
How did this sharing of skills come about and how do you organize yourselves within Chrome and Carbu?
We've known each other for several years, and the idea of creating a training workshop was born shortly before Paul retired. Paul has a master's degree in mechanics. He leads the training courses in automotive mechanics and electrical systems, and I lead the bodywork courses.
How many training courses are organized each year?
We conduct approximately 2 training sessions per month in "normal" periods.
Since the opening of Chrome et Carbu, how many trainees have you trained?
More than a hundred trainees have been trained at Chrome & Carbu.
We met one of them, Florian Kammerer, who lives in Breitenbach and is also passionate about cars in the broadest, or rather, very broadest sense of the term.
Florian's experience with Chrome and Carburetor
Hello Florian!
I'm going to start by asking you what I ask everyone we meet: can you introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about who you are?
Hi Geoffrey,
So my name is Florian, I'm 28 years old, and I'm the president of the Rétr'Autom' association, which organizes the classic car and motorcycle gathering in Breitenbach at the end of July. I'm also one of the main organizers of the Breitenbach soapbox race, a sport I've been involved in since 2004.
How did you develop this passion for classic cars? I inherited this passion from my father; ever since I was little, I've been drawn to old cars and rallying. He himself was a rally co-driver in a Simca Rallye 3 in the early 80s.
What car are you restoring? Can you tell us a little about this project?
At twenty, I bought myself a 1972 Mini Austin 850. One of the prettiest cars in my eyes, and especially Mr. Bean's car, of which I'm a huge fan. I drove it for a few years and participated in small tourist rallies like those organized by the Colmar Mini Club. I sold it three years ago because I'm not a fan of just one car; if I could, I'd drive a different one every day, and it has to be said that its reliability for everyday use isn't its strong point. I had originally planned to buy a pre-1960 Renault Juva4, but at the Auto Classic Show, where we had a stand with Rétr'autom, which we shared with Michel from Chrome et Carbu, I fell in love with a 1973 Peugeot 304 Coupé S, partially equipped for historic rallying.
This year, my father and I bought a 1971 Sarap Buffalo. This car was designed in Breitenbach by a group of friends who created various cars in limited editions of fewer than 10 (except for the Buffalo, of which more than 650 were made). I must admit I'm quite proud of having searched for a car near Saint-Étienne to bring it back home.
I haven't done a complete restoration, but on a classic car there's always something to do.
How and why did you seek the services and expertise of Michel from Chrome and Carbu?
I got to know Michel through the Vintage Car and Motorcycle Gathering that we have been organizing since 2014. His training courses immediately appealed to me.
Given that I worked in industrial bodywork, hydraulics, locksmithing and then industrial mechanics, my knowledge of automotive mechanics, despite my interest, was not at its best.
His training courses therefore interested me as a way to improve my knowledge.
And then for the past few years, Michel has been part of our association and we have participated in several events together.
What did you take away from this sharing and the help provided by Michel?
I had the opportunity to participate in two of the training courses offered by Michel.
The friendly atmosphere is a major strength of these training sessions, but above all, we were in small groups of 2 to 4 people maximum, ranging in age from 20 to 70. Being in a small group allowed us to progress on a case-by-case basis, and it was really very enjoyable. No question was out of place; we were all there to learn. A colleague's question could enrich everyone's knowledge.
Do you think you would have been able to carry out this project without the intervention of Chrome and Carbu?
I might have managed to do this without Chrome and Carbu's help, but I didn't try. Even if you think you know, a review never hurts.
Do you race or participate in events with the 304?
I have participated in several navigation rallies in a Mini and a few in a 304, but I am rather a fan of the right-hand bucket seat.
I was a co-driver in the Historic Moselle Rally in a Peugeot 104, where the start was at 8pm and the finish at 12pm the next day (20th) and in the Winter Rally in Switzerland (11th) a snow rally reserved for Mini Austin and derivatives.
Then this year, despite a very sad year, I made my debut in VHRS, still as a co-driver at the Rallye du Centre Alsace in a Renault R21 Turbo 2.0.
JI think I saw your little boy driving a MAGNIFICENT soapbox car! Is it a father-son passion?
Yes, it's a father-son passion.
I started soapbox racing in 2004, since then I have participated in almost all the Alsace championships, 2 French championships in 2005 and 2014 and 2 European championships in 2006 and 2013.
As a huge fan of speed and sliding, I managed to organize a race in 2016 with volunteers from the village, who were much crazier than me.
The soapbox car is suitable for ages 5 to 77.
Ruben started his first season with a soapbox car rented from a friend. Born on May 12th, he participated in the second race of the championship in Grendelbruch on June 2nd, 2019, then in all the races of the Alsace championship and two other races in neighboring regions. To close out the season, he finished with the soapbox race in Breitenbach, achieving a respectable 4th place and 4th in the Alsace Championship in the C1 category (5-9 years old). It's a great source of pride for me; if I had known in 2004 (I was 12 years old) that 15 years later my son would be competing in a race in the very village where I grew up, with the starting line right at the foot of my house.
Ruben's new soapbox car is waiting in the garage for the start of the season; 2020 being compromised, we're crossing our fingers for 2021.
How do you share this passion with your family and friends?
I share my passions (classic cars, rallying, soapbox racing) mainly with my father, my son, and a few friends. Ruben comes along somewhat reluctantly, to many of the Condroz Rallies in Belgium, for example, and about ten others throughout the rest of the year. My partner lives her passion for horses as intensely as I do, with the Cavaliers du Rêve and the Voltaics, so we don't see each other much on weekends. But we remain open to each other's passions; she has already participated in tourist rallies and even a soapbox race, and I took part in a Cavaliers du Rêve show one year.
Thank you so much, Florian, for your feedback on this passion you share with Michel, Ruben, and your friends. We wish you and your family all the best in your passionate life and are now going back to ask Michel our questions.
Michel, you offer several training courses that allow intervention on different areas of a vehicle and which seem quite different from each other.
Are these steps that a "restorer" of vintage vehicles will have to go through at some point?
Our training courses are based on a core structure that evolves according to the level and expectations of the trainees. Groups consist of 2 to 4 trainees with 1 or 2 trainers, allowing us to best address the questions and needs of each individual.
Apart from group training, can an individual use your services to take a private lesson or to ask you to personally work on the bodywork of their car?
After setting up the training workshop, I created the Chrome & Carbu garage. I specialize in restoring classic cars. Currently, I'm completely restoring a 1959 Triumph TR3A for a Swiss client. I just had it painted at a friend's body shop in the valley, Atelier Moritz!
By the way, do you only work with cars or are old motorcycles welcome at Chrome and Carbu?
Motorcycles are also welcome.
You also sell equipment.
What can you find in the Chrome and Carburetor shop?
This is essentially mineral oil specifically for older vehicles, from the MOTOREX brand.
Michel, if you had to choose only one vehicle that you have restored, which would it be?
This is a difficult choice, but it would certainly be my TRIUMPH TR3.
What is your relationship with these cars? What do they bring you?
Simply the pleasure of riding differently, with the wind in your hair!
I imagine it's a relatively expensive hobby. Is there an average budget for a vehicle, or is the only limit set by the owner?
The budget will depend on the vehicle model, its rarity, and its condition. A maintenance budget will also need to be factored in, which will vary depending on the work the owner can do themselves. Bodywork is often the largest expense in a restoration. That's why it's beneficial to learn some basic techniques to prepare for the work of a bodywork painter.
Do you make a living from this passion and the training you provide, or do you have a job on the side?
It's difficult to make a living from your passion. I live more for my passion than off my passion. I still have a job in the industrial world and in business management.
Do you have any training dates already scheduled for 2021?
I have not yet planned the training dates for 2021 due to the uncertainties related to the health crisis.
If you had one piece of advice to give to someone who knows nothing about mechanics or bodywork and wants to start restoring a classic vehicle, what would it be?
Come to Chrome & Carbu to gain skills and no longer face your restoration project alone!
Michel, we thank you for the time you have given us.
We sincerely hope that 2021 will be lighter than the year we have just had and that it will allow you to train many enthusiasts and to show us a whole bunch of restored vehicles at Chrome et Carbu.