Megane Goes Home - Yorkshire to Vilvoorde in a 25 year old Renault Megane Coupe. скачать в хорошем качестве

Megane Goes Home - Yorkshire to Vilvoorde in a 25 year old Renault Megane Coupe.

Many of you I'm sure will see a car as much more than a collection of components, especially older cars which often have a story to be told. Last year when trying to source some parts for my 1997 Renault Megane Coupe I acquired to build sheet for my car which confirmed where the engine and gearbox were built in Spain, and crucially the build date and where the car was assembled at Haren Vilvoorde on the outskirts of Brussels in Belgium. The cogs started spinning in my head as I began to contemplate a road trip to return the car back to where it rolled of the Assembly line all those years ago, initially for exactly 25 years to the build date which would coincide with my 40th Birthday. I soon discovered that the factory was sadly no longer in operation. Renault Vilvoorde was the first Renault factory outside of France and had produced cars since the 1930's but on the 27th February 1997 the shock announcement was made in the news that the factory would close later that year. This resulted in the loss of over 3000 jobs and set into motion a chain of events leading to strikes not only in Belgium but also other Renault factories across Europe and protests in Brussels and Paris. It also lead to the creation of Renault Law on consultation of mass redundancy. Clearly there was a story here to that needed to be told, a story that seemed to be much less known in the UK than in mainland Europe. After a quick internet search I found a Facebook group for the former factory workers and the wheels were set in motion. With the help of google translate I was in contact some of the group members and with former Renault Vilvoorde worker Wim Jans who helped immensely with my research and planning. With frequent changes to Covid travel restrictions throughout January and February my proposed visit was changed from the build date of 11th February to the 27th. This not only made travel easier but coincided with the closure announcement and with the aid of trade union ABVV there was a planed 25 year reunion. This would allow me to drive to the site of the factory but also meet some of the workers responsible for building my car all those years ago. Returning the car for them to see all these years later and documenting the story seemed like the most fitting tribute I could make. This was the start of a trip that would take me across three countries and eight hundred miles in a mere thirty six hours door to door.... Mark On Motoring can also be found on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter where I often post additional content so feel free to follow me there (see links bellow)   / markonmotoring     / markonmotoring     / mark_on_motoring   Are you currently subscribed to Mark On Motoring YouTube channel? Its completely free to do so and if you also tap on the bell icon you will be notified when a new video is released. While in Vilvoorde I was interviewed as part of a news report by Ring TV which you may also like to check out. https://www.ringtv.be/nieuws/25-jaar-...