A Gem on the Streets of Ejido: A Renault Juvaquatre in Perfect Condition

I hope you’re having an amazing weekend.

Today I’m sharing something that blew my mind the other day. I was taking a leisurely stroll through the streets of Ejido, here in the state of Mérida (Venezuela), when suddenly I saw a commotion. You know how when there’s a crowd gathered on a street corner, you can’t help but peek out of sheer curiosity to see what happened—or at least that’s how we Venezuelans are; we go over to see what’s going on, or if it was an accident. Well, it wasn’t an accident or anything like that—it was a gem on wheels that I really liked.

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To be honest, I found it truly fascinating. In an age when all we see are modern SUVs or luxury cars, coming across this classic car was like traveling back in time, to an era when I couldn’t enjoy those classic cars because I was too young and it wasn’t my time.

I moved a little closer to take a look, and it’s clear that the owner has gone to great lengths to keep it in perfect condition. Lots of people were taking pictures of it, so I couldn’t be left behind. I pulled out my phone and started looking for the best angles, so I figured the perfect community for these photos was Photography Lovers.

What model is this?

For those of you who aren't so familiar with old “clunkers,” let me tell you that what you see in the photos is a Renault Juvaquatre. If you look closely at the bumper in the second photo, you'll see the name clearly marked there. These cars were first manufactured sometime between the 1930s and 1960s, and if you’re wondering how I know, well, I did a little research before writing this post. Just imagine how old this car is and yet it’s still in such good condition—it’s simply a beautiful relic.

What surprised me most was how well-maintained it is. Seriously, it shines brighter than a mirror.

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Sometimes you see old cars that have been “restored” but look a bit neglected on the inside. Not this one. This one is on another level.

Simplicity and elegance

I peeked through the window (being careful not to damage anything, since if I did, it would cost me a fortune, haha) and came across that passionate red dashboard you see in the photo.

• The white steering wheel: That retro style kills me. It’s huge and thin, very period-appropriate.
• The gauges: It has gauges that look like the originals and some extras below to monitor pressure and temperature.
• The cleanliness: There wasn’t a speck of dust. You can tell the owner spoils it like it’s their own child.

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The front grille is a work of art. It’s all chrome lines that give it an incredible personality. And those round headlights... I don’t know, they have something that modern cars—with all their LED lights and weird shapes—have lost. Sometimes simple is beautiful or eye-catching, and here what many people say applies: sometimes less is more. I’ll admit that today’s cars are really beautiful, but they’re overloaded with too many things—too many shapes on the bodywork that are sometimes exaggerated. But of course, we all have different tastes.

Keep this in mind: Maintaining a car like this in Venezuela—given how difficult it is to find original parts for such old models—is an act of pure love (and requires a lot of patience) and, without a doubt, money. It’s no secret that everything here is more expensive than in other countries, so this car represents a significant investment to look this beautiful.

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Walking back home, I found myself thinking about that. These days, you hardly ever see models like this anymore, let alone in such good condition. Seeing something like this in Mérida reminded me that there are still people who appreciate the classics and who take the time to preserve history and keep those memories alive so that new generations like mine can enjoy them and see how everything has changed over the years.

I felt great taking these photos. It was a moment of “luck” for the street photographer: being in the right place at the right time. It’s not every day you come across a Juvaquatre in perfect condition while you’re out getting bread or on your way home.

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What do you think of this little gem?

I fell in love with all the details. Whether you’re the type who prefers modern cars packed with screens, or if, like me, a good classic really gets your heart racing, let me know in the comments below. I’d love to hear if you’ve seen anything similar in your cities.

Thanks for reading this second post and for all the support you’re giving me—I’m slowly growing here.

Have a great day, and see you in the next post

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Translation tool: Deepl

Photo editor: Lightroom