Posted on August 15, 2022
Fascinated by the stars since always, Didier Hue, domiciled in Saint-Malo-des-Trois-Fontaines waited for his retirement to create in 2015 his Astronomy club in Missiriac. Met last weekend during the Nuits des étoiles, he told us that he has another passion in life, that of vintage cars and their restoration…
“I was able, in fact, to develop a new activity in 2020, because the Covid epidemic came to thwart meetings and events within the astronomy club. I had free time, so might as well take advantage of it!” explains Didier.
Two years ago, Didier Hue immediately joined the ploërmelaise association “Les Vieilles t’autos”, chaired by Lionel Laly, even though he did not yet own his own vintage car. And for good reason, he restores and repairs that of others… “It doesn’t matter! I participate in exhibitions, walks, all meetings with other members. I always find a place in the car of one or the other to be transported there!”. Didier is waiting to find his marvel: a Mercedes SLK, phase 2 – 55 AMG, a big V8 with its unique 7-speed automatic gearbox… Today, he devotes 5 to 6 hours a day from Monday to Friday, to his restorations…
He restores vintage cars from A to Z
A car mechanic by profession, Didier has found premises in Mohon to restore the old cars that collectors entrust to him. Many do not know the mechanics and many of them miss free time. After converting the workshop into a car garage and equipping himself with new equipment, he now assumes a restoration from A to Z, including mechanics, bodywork and painting…
The first car restored by Didier was a 2cv from the 1960s. . The rear seats have also been restored…”
Currently, 3 cars are under construction in his garage:
-A 1966 Mustang with all the mechanics to be redone: the clutch, the starter, the flywheel, the exhaust line, the gearbox, the axle bearings and the carburettor…
– A 1955 Porsche 356: it is completely dismantled and will be refurbished!
-A 1955 NSU Sprint which is currently in the assembly booth awaiting body work. The car is very rusty and the chassis needs to be reviewed…
“As far as the paint is concerned, I try as often as possible to respect the original color of the vehicle, except when the owner decides otherwise.”
A titled driver and mechanic
Born in 1948 in the department of Sarthe, Didier entered working life at Le Mans as a racing mechanic, assigned to a driver. whose car he maintains, an R8 Gordini.
Some time later, Didier’s father, also a mechanic, was transferred to the Paris region at Renault in Boulogne-Billancourt (92), and Didier followed his parents. He is employed by another motor racing boss, in a garage in Nanterre, in the same department. He is a racing mechanic-assistant on an R12 Gordini.
And then, Didier will think about running himself. He buys an Alpine Renault A 110 and participates in his first hill climbs, which he will continue for 6 years. He married and lives, first in the North of France, then in Quévy in Belgium where he owns a garage, for which he also prepares the cars of other racing drivers. He stayed in this neighboring country from 1974 to 1984, where he won 4 Belgian Champion titles, as a hill climb trainer.
At the same time, he joined forces with Jean-François Vaney to found in Heusden-Zoldel in the Flemish region, a construction company for Formula Ford, a category of single-seater racing cars. Three Valley single-seaters take part in the Benelux championship and Didier receives the title of vice-champion Benelux, as a constructor in 1984…
Back in France, Didier opened an Agent Ford garage, on his own, in Calvados, in Caen. He embarked on the restoration of old vehicles: an Alfa Roméo SSS, a Bugatti T120 and a 1936 Citroën B26 Boulangère.
He continued to practice his trade, as soon as he arrived in Brittany in 1992, in a garage in Locoal Mendon, then in Etel, before retiring and settling in Saint-Malo des-Trois-Fontaines…