Florent Marvier was born and raised in southwest France, in Dordogne. He now lives in Lausanne, Switzerland, where he works as an art piece maker. He owns and daily drives a 1975 Alfa Romeo 2000 Coupe, designed by Bertone.
Q: How did you become interested in cars?
A: My interest comes from my father and his father before him: My grandfather was a mechanic, and he was also a big car fan—he drove motorbikes and built tourism planes. My father loves all the old cars as well. So it’s a family thing.
Q: How did you come to find this Alfa Romeo?
A: I was looking to find an old car. Since I love the Italian style, I happened to visit an Alfa Romeo seller, and I found this beautiful one. It wasn’t planned, but I fell in love.
Q: How did you know it was the right car for you?
A: You’d have to come inside and you’ll see for yourself! As soon as I sat inside, it just felt right—the noise, the driving sensation, the position. The noise is very unique.
Q: What is your favorite place to drive your Alfa?
A: On the small roads in Dordogne during the summer. I enjoy driving it around the castle and the medieval villages, and through forests where there aren’t many people and the air is nice.
Q: What is it like to drive this car?
A: It’s like being really free—it’s really good for my mind. When driving, I can’t hear anything else except the sound of the car, and it feels like there is part of the past there too. I always smile while I drive this car.
Q: What do you love about your 2000?
A: Everything, except that it doesn’t like rain. Sometimes the engine shuts down when the road is too wet. Also, the gasoline smell sometimes disturbs my passengers, especially when I start pushing the car a bit.
Q: What is the car scene like where you live in Switzerland?
A: There are a lot of vintage cars shows, but I don’t really participate in them.
Q: Do you work on the car yourself?
A: Not really, I only do basic stuff, but I found some passionate people who help me find pieces. We are like a circle: we ask everyone for glass pieces, fairings, seats, mechanical pieces,
whatever. A lot of these guys are in Italy, so we don’t get together physically, but we always help each other out. I like that.
Q: How do people react to this car?
A: They first hear the noise! People in the street turn around—they seems to love the car as well, or people come and talk to me. I can leave the car parked along the streets, and no one will disturb it—they show respect to an old lady. It’s kind of cool.
Q: How often do you drive the car?
A: Almost every day! It’s my only car, but I’d love to buy more someday.
Photography for Petrolicious by David Marvier
