A coach for The instituteon France 2, a coach for Who knows, on France 5… and now a DS. The television and educational escapades of comedian Gérard Klein are often associated with a cult vehicle.
His memories with Romy Schneider
Total facelift with yellow paint!
It is therefore not surprising that, to promote his new book (Gérard rêve encore) throughout France and to plan his road trip to the United States, he chooses to drive around at the wheel of a “timeless” car. his Citroën DS 21. “A palace model, with injection, dating from 1969”, specifies Olivier Fouquet, mechanic in Hips, in charge of the total repair of the engine (injection, cylinder head gasket, electrical harnesses) of 12 horses, always ready to spring up and roar with all his power.
On this morning at the end of August, the car is in another workshop, at the Naveau garage, in Châteauneuf-en-Thymerais. This is where the “rolling palace” benefits from a total facelift of its bodywork. The “old lady” is getting a makeover, under the guidance of Thomas, an expert painter, under the spell “of a car like no other”, he says.
“Repainting it is an art. We first dismantle each part, each chrome, … Each part is noted. It’s a lot of time, but I love it!
And then there is the capital step of painting. And there, Gérard Klein chose his favorite shade that can be found on both the L’instit bus and the Va savoir bus. That is to say yellow, but not just any yellow, specifies the actor-host.
“It’s the Caterpillar* yellow that has always brought me luck. The final touch will be to put the inscription of the new driver’s book on the sides of the car which, before setting off on the roads of France, could stop at Retrosport, on Sunday September 18, at circuit of western Paris. This race of vintage cars is for the benefit of the little princes, an association fulfilling the dreams of seriously ill children.The engine has been completely redone. Gérard Klein confides “likes his noise”.
Going to the USA…
Gérard Klein still cherishes the dream of taking his yellow DS to the United States, a continent he has already traveled, meeting charismatic characters like the writer Jim Harrison. “There are DS fans there. His own story with this legendary car is rich in memories and emotions. “With the DS, I’ve done it around the world! »
The actor does not have enough laudatory words to evoke the best car in the world. “Technically, we haven’t done better! The DS is intimately linked to the career of the actor who has played with the biggest stars, including Romy Schneider (The carefree passerby) for his first film role, which earned him a César nomination for best supporting role.
29 hours at the wheel non-stop!
When he then plays in Les cavaliers de l’orage, with Marlène Jobert, Gérard Klein goes to the set, in the former Yugoslavia, … in a DS! “40 years ago, it cost nothing, no more than €150. I joined the team in a DS 21, with my wife and our three daughters in the car. On the way back, I had made the trip in one go, that is 29 hours on the road! »
A discreet and comfortable charm, loaded with memories like so many Proust madeleines, Gérard Klein remains in love with the DS. A star who has not finished making him dream!
Caterpillar
is a global manufacturer of construction equipment, components and machinery. Gerard is still dreaming
(Pastre edition). Price: €19.90.
Olivier Bohin
