24h Le Mans
To be from the Le Mans area and have been going to the 24 Hours of Le Mans since childhood. To have read "La vie de l’auto." To have been dreaming of vintage cars for 40 years. To have tried one's hand but given up. And lastly, to dream one's dream and one's passion. Here is the incredible story of Didier Lebrun.
He has dreamed of it his whole life. In the 1990s, he even bought a Peugeot 203 he restored with a friend who was a good mechanic. But he never had time to drive it, and a car that doesn't see road wears down, so with the restoration completed, he sold it regretfully. Then he waited for his moment, that of retirement. Once he ended his career as an exporter in the energy industry, it was time to pursue his passion.
His chose a primrose yellow 1967 Triumph GT6 MK1 (first generation). "A Triumph Vitesse chassis and 6-cylinder engine, made in Belgium, hence left-hand drive. It had already been restored. For the five years I've had it, I'm happy to maintain it and make repairs anticipatorily as necessary. One knows one's car well. A car you drive by listening. Like a musical instrument."
To pamper his car, he became a mechanic. Here is his self-taught recipe. "First you need a good friend to show you how to do it. Then dare to try. And research online. With tools and forums, you can do anything." Anything? "Ok, I don't work on the engine, I'll admit. But I've changed the brake pads, fuel pump - the peripheral parts."
To take care of it is good, but to take it out is better. Lebrun is a member of the "Véhicules d’époque Aune et Loir club" - with whom he takes touristic and gastronomic excursions - and the ACO for parades, including that of the Le Mans Classic, excursions linked to competitions and circuit driving sessions that are "friendly, well-organized and safe." In all, he does more than 3,000 km a year in his Triumph. In other words, he's enjoying himself.
What's in store in the future? "I love my car. But in that era's advertisements, it was always shown with women. And I must say, it's a little small for me. Inside, I feel good, I went as far as Pau with no problem. The concern is I'm not entirely comfortable getting in and out. But I love my car and I have no desire to get rid of it. Ideally, I'll keep it and buy an Alfa Romeo Bertone coupe, which will be better adapted to my build." And that's how collections get started...
Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO
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