kafeni

(Machine, France)

A renault 4, probably from the eighties. Don't think it was from those assembled by IMV in Novo Mesto, somehow it left the impression of being all french. Which means that no matter how cheaply made, it would still have the doors close snugly, without slamming, even the fifth door, that it would not make you feel every bump on the road, and that it would shift gears smoothly.

All true, but: anything below hinges was rusty. Never lost the rear right wheel, but it was close. The engine was weak, about 850cc and not too lively, but it would get you there. Never got stuck on the road, but once its clutch got greasy, it would take its time to start pulling, and once couldn't get itself out of a 4cm deep puddle at dad's vineyard. Even crossing a bridge would be a problem if I'd had to stop before reaching the summit.

The gear shift was horizontal, in the middle of the dashboard, and looked like someone forgot an umbrella there.

It was named after its color, which was dark chocolate, but we chose the coffee instead, kafeni just sat right.

And, aaaah, the turn signal lever was on the right! It was easy to learn but hard to unlearn. Luckily the next car didn't have any levers to the right of the steering column, so whenever I'd reach with my right hand, nothing would happen and I'd quickly remember that I'm back to normal.

And may it not be forgotten what Ileš said: "the four is the only car designed with a spade".


Mentions: september 1989., january 1993., 06-VI-1994., 23-VIII-1994., 06-I-1995., 28-X-1995., december 1996., 25-I-1997., 20-X-1997., 19-V-2002., 18-VIII-2021., Ileš Notaroš, in serbian