Anyone who was in the Oudenbosch area on Sunday afternoon may have seen them: vintage cars. Nearly fifty participated in a tour through West Brabant. Some had gone all out and decorated their cars with all kinds of orange decorations. The theme was King’s Day.
The enthusiasts gather on Sunday at a site near a car garage. The ride is intended for Minis, but other types of vintage cars are also welcome. They are neatly lined up next to each other in rows. The enthusiasts chat with each other, look under the hood together and prepare for the 85 kilometer long ride.
Cornel de Jong is also participating. Just before departure, he quickly attaches the rally shield to the front of his Mini. “It’s all a bit of a hassle with small cars, but they are charming cars with character. The less young you get, the more the old stuff starts to wear on you,” he says.
A little further away is Ellen Hack with her car. She takes the cake. Literal. There is an incredibly large crown on the roof. She came across it on Facebook and bought it. However, it turned out not to be that easy to get that crown on the car. “We had suction cups, but they didn’t stay in place because the car is round. So we looked for orange tension straps and secured the crown that way. Fortunately, I have a very handy man who knows a solution for everything,” she says laughing.
The crown fits in well with the King’s Day theme. The fact that the national holiday is actually only Monday does not matter to classic car owners. “Today we can enjoy this weather just as much as tomorrow. Otherwise we will go for another ride tomorrow,” says Renate Hack, who has put an orange scarf on her dog Bella for the occasion.
It is convenient for Lotte Wijnen that King’s Day will be celebrated on Sunday. She is going to Belgium with her family on Monday and is therefore going all out with her Mini. “When you are all together with Minis you have to make something special. We have a bear party in the back with the bears from Mr. Bean. They are also well dressed to have a party together.”
The route is 85 kilometers and goes straight through the west of our province (photo: Wilco Zonneveld).
The tour is held by Mini Seven Club Netherlands. It is the fourth time that the West Brabant ride is being held. “You can have a beautiful expensive sports car, but this gives you a smile. The feeling, the atmosphere, the experience. It is the total picture,” says René de Peinder.
“It makes you happy, but also everyone you meet. And with such beautiful sunshine, you have all the ingredients for a great day,” says Lotte, after which she gets in and starts the route.
