TimeOut

Got a call Thursday night that my friend Jonathon Burnette was in town. He is probably one of the most experienced and knowledgeable vintage French car mechanics (particularly Renault and Matra) in the U.S. and has a shop in Austin, Texas. I have been try...  

Not only does this guy sound like an expert, he also seems to be extremely passionate about cars! With all his experience, must be fascinating talking to him. -MW

Snak ! Your Caravelle is really a beauty ... i'll add some pics of some more recent Renaults ... . I wonder if these little atmospheric two litres will become classics in some 40 years ... . Bim...  

If only Renault would come back to the US so I could buy a legal Clio.

The upcoming Clio RS "Ange et demon" (angel & devil) Shown here with one hell of a devil-driver Or the ultimate last version named the Clio RS-R lightweight with around 230 atmospheric horses ? Drooling Bim...  

beggars can't be choosy ;-)

I use cardboard boxes for that purpose all the time! Great cars, by the way. Best, CaliforniaJed

...but the cardboard gave him more headroom to wiggle around under the car.

Where is my favorite Snakmobile though (little tiny truck)? Cheers, Daos

...getting the battery charged.

I love the Snakmobiles! Cheers, Daos

And better service than the Lexus dealer. JerryW

...that it's relatively difficult to find mechanics with the sensibilities or even the interest to work on these older cars. It's not like they are hard to work on at all, and these Renaults are quite hardy. Jonathon drove his Dauphine from Austin, TX to ...  

My birthday present from Mrs Snak this year was a mid-rise lift for the garage so that I can do servicing inside. It was delivered earlier in the week and left crated on a pallet near the garage door. Only took an hour or so to unpack it and use a furnitu...  

It's not every wife that buys their honey a lift for the garage! Have fun tinkering on your cars! Cheers, Daos

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I can't see how that scissor lift adjusts to meet the pick up points? Does it have a mechanical lock-out for when you get underneath? Looks like something I need to consider.

I'll post pix when I hook up the hydraulics this week. Sadly, I was only able to see pictures of the A108 from his camera. He had dropped off the car prior to seeing me. Here is a catalog shot The compressor and fluid tank come on a dolly for mine, not on...  

Looking forward to seeing it in action.

The fellow that bought it lives not to far from me, so I may see this car soon. The motor is was hand made by Alpine in France, which will make a full engine rebuild very difficult. The car lived most its life in Brazil. Even though it's basically a Dauph... 

...not sure if it was 108s or 110s or where it was, but I recall an old, old article (Classic and Supercar?) talking about how the bodies were made a little beefier (or was it flimsier??). I was actually commenting on the lift, but that info is fascinatin... 

...but the engine was made in France and shipped to them for installation. As I understand it, this was one of two cars in that configuration.

...rebuild that engine, please please see if you can get some shots of its innards. Alpine...Brazil...+ google=Willys Interlagos. Thanks, snak, I have that one out of my head now.

That is one cool gift. JerryW

..if I could only interest her in watches or expensive jewelry...

Very cool of the Mrs. to get you such an awesome b-day present. And Happy b-day! Regards, ED-209