R

r Citroën Owners and Enthusiasts 1

CITROËN CLASSIC OWNERS’ CLUB OF AUSTRALIA Australia’s National Citroën Car Club

Australia’s National Magazine for Citroën Owners and Enthusiasts

September 2020 Vol 44 No 2 Supplement Special Design Issue 2 Australia’s National Magazine for Citroën Owners and Enthusiasts 3

PPostalostal AddressAddress CCommitteeommittee SSupportupport CContentsontents CITROËN CLASSIC OWNERS’ President ~ Ted Cross Web Wallah ~ Bruce Stringer ED SED PAGE 4 CLUB of AUSTRALIA Inc. [03] 98I9 2208 [H] 04I2 342 706 [M] The address of the Club and this [email protected] [email protected] PREZ SEZ PAGE 5 Secretary ~ Tim Cottrell Membership Secretary ~ magazine is: RACTIONS AGE PO Box 52, Balwyn, Victoria, 3I03. 04I6 009 297 [M] Ian Macdermott A-T P 6 [email protected] 04I9 362 375 [M] The Club’s website is: TH NNIVERSARY Treasurer ~ Ian Macdermott [email protected] GS/A 50 A www.citroenclassic.org.au TOUR PAGE 8 Citroën Classic Owners’ Club of 04I9 362 375 [M] Asset Custodians ~ Ted Cross Australia Inc. is a member of the [email protected] Max Lewis IT N ENDIGO Activity Coordinator Lee Dennes AOMC Liaison Offi cers C -I 202I B Association of Motoring Clubs. ~ ~ PAGE I1 The views expressed in this publication 0438 286 I8I [M] Max Lewis [03] 9372 092I [H] are not necessarily those of CCOCA [email protected] Russell Wade [03] 9570 3486 [H] POST CIT-IN TOUR PAGE I3 or its Committee. Neither CCOCA Spare Parts Offi cer~ Lance Wearne Club Permit & Safety Offi cers~ nor its Committee can accept any 0424 054 724 [M] Russell Wade [03] 9570 3486 [H] 202I 2CV WORLD MEETING responsibility for any mechanical [email protected] Philip Rogers [03] 5944 309I [H] PAGE I8 advice printed in, or adopted from this Publication Editor ~ Leigh Miles Ted Cross [03] 98I9 2208 [H] publication. [03] 9888 7506 [H] Librarian ~ Kay Belcourt THE LITTLE FRENCH CAR The Club cannot accept any [email protected] 04I3 65I 2I0 [M] PAGE 20 responsibility for, or involvement in, Committee Persons ~ [email protected] any business relationship that may Robert Belcourt [03] 9885 4376 [H] Club Shop ~ Kay Belcourt SM: SOAKING MASERATI? occur between an advertiser and a Max Lewis [03] 9372 092I [H] 04I3 65I 2I0 [M] PAGE 22 member of the Club. Russell Wade 040I 859 704 [M] [email protected] Bruce Stringer [03] 5250 2727 [H] ICCCR Representative ~ A CHANCE MEETING Ted Cross [03] 98I9 2208 [H] PAGE 24 SPLENDILUX PAGE 36 LLifeife MembersMembers MMembershipembership CCoverover ImageImage The committee awards life Annual Membership is $55 and $5 The cover image is taken from the CONCEPTUALISATION membership to Club members in for additional members [ie partners]. website www.citroenorigins.com.au/. PAGE 45 recognition of their contribution to, and support of, the Club. Life DASHING DESIGN PAGE 49 memberships have been awarded to: CLASSIFIED ADS PAGE 53 Sue Bryant 20I7 Brian Wade 20I7 MMeetingseetings Rob Little 20I2 Club meetings are held on the fourth Ted Cross 20I2 Wednesday of every month [except DDeadlineeadline CContributorsontributors Peter Boyle 2003 December] at 7:30pm. The venue The deadline for the next edition of Contributors to this edition of ‘Front Jack Weaver I99I is the Frog Hollow Reserve Rooms, ‘Front Drive’ is Monday, September 2I, Drive’ include Dominique Bellerre and Nance Clark I984 Fordham Ave., Camberwell. 2020. Paul Robinson.

CCitroëningitroëning Club Permit applications to New Permit holders must Club permit renewals can be FOR SPARE PARTS & TOOLS CLUB SHOP OTHER CLUBS VicRoads must be accompanied supply the Club with sent to PO Box 52 Balwyn, Contact Lance Wearne. For Citroën models, VIC citcarclubvic.org.au by a RWC [pre I949 cars can approved photos, club permit Victoria. 3I03 with a stamped Phone: 0424 054 724 [if memorabilia and other items NSW citroencarclub.org.au be inspected by a Club Safety number and expiry date. return envelope or signed your do phone, please do contact Kay Belcourt at QLD citroenclubqld.org Offi cer], ownership validation at club meetings/events if so at a reasonable hour] or [email protected] SA clubcitroensa.com and VicRoads forms endorsed the appropriate offi cers are [email protected]. WA citroenwa.org.au by the club including fi nancial present. au TAS citroentas.org validation. 4 Australia’s National Magazine for Citroën Owners and Enthusiasts 5 EEdd SedSed PPrezrez SSezez ‘ …it is important to talk about and original design or fl air in their ow, I am prepared to lay the difference between design elcome to an addition- construction for me to want one. bets that you were not and style. In everyday terms, we al surprise from our My stable of Citroëns includes, Nexpecting an edition of ‘Front often interchangeably use these WEditor Leigh. 2CV, Traction, and DS which in- Drive’ numbered as Volume 44, words. However, they are not the I have always wondered why cludes the three big design moves Special Design Issue. Those of same thing. Style is more con- on earth I became interested in for Citroën over the last eighty you with memories of the maga- cerned with visuals or the outer Citroëns which has developed years. They each have their own zine from when I last sat in the look of a product. It creates im- into something like a compul- unique design signatures and Editor’s chair may recall that portant aesthetic value for con- sive disorder over time. Ques- they are all stylish in their own ‘Front Drive’ regularly featured sumers. On the other hand, de- tions about design or style raised weird way ~ yes talking about my articles about the design and styl- sign is more concerned with the by Leigh are not easy to uncover 2CVs here. ing of Citroën’s latest [or at least basic layout of a product with its when considering your own per- But I also like the newish C4 recent] models and around the core functionality and user expe- sonal feelings. from the noughties [the fi xed design exercises that appeared rience in mind. For example, as- To steal a famous line from steering wheel centre and DS-like over the years at motorshows. sume that someone copies the Winston Churchill ~ ‘a riddle comfortable seats] and we own When I am asked what it is that outer look of an iPhone but the wrapped in a mystery inside an a Citroën badged DS5 which I like about Citroën as a marque, phone operates with Android enigma’. This phrase could easily many of you may not count as a and about the models they have OS, then the ‘style’ is the same describe Citroën’s position in the real Citroën. But for me person- produced my response is gener- as iPhone but the ‘design’ is not. world for over I00 years for me. ally it is Citroën and is an excel- ally focused on the design, the The phone is, at least aesthetical- When I consider the many pre- lent cruiser ~ but is mainly en- style and the fl air of the cars ly, styled like iPhone, but it is de- vious models of Citroën I have joyed by me for its style rather bearing the double chevron. The signed to operate like any other admired, or purchased, or still than unique design qualities. shapes, the forms ~ both exter- Android phone’. own, I think the style of the Cit- Alas, I still do not have a clear nal and internal. So, the particular shape of the roën is the thing that has drawn idea why I am stuck on Citroëns, But what is the difference be- trailing edge of a rear wing on me to them. They don’t have to but sit back and enjoy this bonus tween style and design? Indeed a Splendilux Traction [see page be pretty, but they do have to copy of Front Drive. is there any difference? Here’s 43] is about ‘style’. But, arguably display some clear Citroën DNA Ted Cross ~ President the response from an expert: the dashboard switchgear on a Series I BX is about design [see page 5I]. No wonder I love both! This special edition will be with you prior to the AGM, so if you have not submitted your proxy yet, please do so. It really is most important.. Enjoy, Leigh F Miles ~ Editor 6 Australia’s National Magazine for Citroën Owners and Enthusiasts 7 AA-Tractions-Tractions Please note: Except for the AGM, events which were planned for August have been Chit Chat Tuesday cancelled. Events are planned for September, but as the impact of Covid-19 later this year WHEN: Ist Tuesday is uncertain, please check the Club’s website for the latest information or contact the 6 October organiser prior to travelling to any event that may be listed later in the year. 3 November 7 December TIME: I0:30am WHERE: Blue Bay Café, Point Nepean Rd, McCrae. COST: Cheap Eats BOOKING: Not required CONTACT: Warwick WHERE: Il Pizzaiolo, Spinaze nominate any member to a I6I-I63 Darebin Rd., Thornbury 0407 0I6 7I9. • AUGUST Committee or Support posi- BOOKING: Essential by Blue Bay Café is opposite the 2020 Annual General Meeting tion. Nomination Forms must Monday, I4 September lighthouse. This is a low key WHEN: Wednesday, also be completed by Tuesday, CONTACT: Tim Cottrell, ‘DIY’ event for like minded 26 August 25 August. 04I6 009 297 Citroën owners to meet and TIME: 7:30pm Your committee realises that [email protected] chat. CONTACT: Tim Cottrell, this is not the ideal AGM, but WEBSITE: ilpiziola.com.au 04I6 009 297 we fi rmly believe obtaining your Exceptional and authentic Italian [email protected] proxy is the best option we have wood-fi red pizza night. More Ted Cross under the present circumstances. than your ‘average’ pizza place Il [03] 98I9 2208 Pizzaiolo boasts an outstanding [email protected] • SEPTEMBER wine list and is fully licenced. You will have received an email Technical Day with CCCV ~ No BYO. Late bookings cannot with a link to the combined Cancelled be accepted, due to the high Proxy/Nomination Form. Follow September Club Meeting: demand at this wonderful venue. the link, complete and submit Wood-Fired Pizza Night the form. WHEN: Wednesday, • OCTOBER • Proxy Form 23 September MMotorclassicaotorclassica 20202020 ~ CancelledCancelled ONTACT If the AGM is to proceed, a TIME: 6:30pm C : quorum of I0% of members [email protected] [about 30] must be present, After careful consideration, we 22-24 October 2021. in person or by proxy. Please have made the diffi cult decision Motorclassica has always been complete the Proxy Form by not to hold Motorclassica in much more than a car event. It is Tuesday, 25 August. 2020. Instead, we look forward a celebration of friendships and • Nomination Form to bringing you an even greater cars, and we thank everyone This is part of the same form spectacle next year when who has expressed their contin- as the Proxy. You only need to Motorclassica returns from ued support for Motorclassica. complete this if you wish to 8 Australia’s National Magazine for Citroën Owners and Enthusiasts 9 AA-Tractions-Tractions Andrew Begelhole 0427 378 423 [email protected] ITINERARY • DAY I. Saturday, 3 October Evening: Welcome Dinner and Tour at J-Ward Ararat • Accommodation in Ararat Saturday, I0 October Chalambar Motel • OCTOBER FROM: Ararat I32 Lambert St, Ararat. Citroën GS/A TO: Hamilton [03] 5352 7050 COST: $200pp Statesman Motor Inn 50th Anniversary Tour BOOKINGS: Now open, 79 Lambert St, Ararat WHEN: Saturday, 3 to closing I September [03] 5352 4I1I ELIGIBLE MODELS: GS, • DAY 2. Sunday, 4 October GSA, Birotor Ararat to Horsham, I20km CONTACT: Andrew Ararat via Halls Gap to Begelhole, Horsham. Time to explore the 0427 378 423 Grampians [email protected] • Accommodation in Horsham TOURING ROUTE: Majestic Motel • Starting in Ararat, overnight 56 Stawell Rd, Horsham stops in Horsham, Ouyen, [03] 5582 0I44 Renmark, Kingston SE, Mt • DAY 3. Monday, 5 October Gambier, fi nishing in Hamilton. Horsham to Ouyen 2I0km I0am The Stick Shed, Murtoa ENTRY FEE INCLUDES: for Group Tour. Then take part • Welcome Dinner, J-Ward in the Silo Art Trail Tour, entrance fees to The • Accommodation in Ouyen Stick Shed, Nelson Airport Ouyen Motel Tour, a Pizza Meal and Farewell 9 Farrell St, Ouyen Dinner. [03] 5092 I397 ACCOMMODATION EXPENSES: Ouyen Caravan Park • Entrants are responsible for I0 Calder Hwy, Ouyen booking their accommodation [03] 5092 I426 and all other expenses. • DAY 4. Tuesday, 6 October BOOKINGS/PAYMENTS: Ouyen to Renmark 2I0km • Available from Ist May via Ouyen, Mildura, Renmark CCOCA website citroenclassic. • Accommodation in Renmark org.au/wordpress/ Renmark Hotel FURTHER ENQUIRIES: 60 Murray Ave, Renmark 10 Australia’s National Magazine for Citroën Owners and Enthusiasts 11 AA-Tractions-Tractions [08] 8586 6755 • DAY 8. Saturday, I0 October BENDIGO IS PART OF VICTORIA’S • DAY 5. Wednesday, 7 October Mt Gambier to Hamilton I50km HISTORIC GOLDFIELDS REGION AND Renmark ~ Free Day Mt Gambier, Nelson, Dart- IS A TOURIST DESTINATION. THERE WILL BE • DAY 6. Thursday, 7 October moor, Digby, Hamilton. PLENTY FOR ALL TO SEE AND DO INCLUDING HISTORIC TRAMS, CHINESE INFLUENCES, Renmark to Kingston SE 245km I0am Nelson Airport Tour. Renmark, Pinnaroo, THE POPULAR BENDIGO FESTIVAL Farewell Dinner ~ Bandicoot Bordertown, Kingston SE AND THE CHINESE DRAGON PARADE. Motor Inn, Hamilton • Accommodation in Kingston WHILE CIT-IN WILL BE CENTRED IN BENDIGO, Lacepede Bay Hotel • Accommodation in Hamilton AS PART OF THE PROGRAM YOU WILL I Marine Parade, Kingston SE Bandicoot Motor Inn ALSO VISIT SOME WONDERFUL HISTORIC [08] 8767 2444 I52 Ballarat Rd, Hamilton. TOWNS IN THE DISTRICT. • DAY 7. Friday, 9 October [03] 5572 I688 Kingston SE to Mt Gambier NOTE: I70km This event will be subject to any Distance from Bendigo Kingston SE, Robe, Beachport, restrictions that are in place at • MMelbourneelbourne 115353 kkmm • AAdelaidedelaide 661414 kkmm Millicent, Mt Gambier the time. Please be aware that any • CanberraCanberra 662020 kkmm • SSydneyydney 88363 6 kkmm • Accommodation in Mt bookings will be at the entrant’s Gambier own risk and not that of CCOCA. • HHobartobart 88717 1 kkmm • BBrisbanerisbane 11,599,599 International Motor Inn You can register and fi nd further • PPertherth 33,316,31 6 kkmm 200 Jubilee Hwy, Mt Gambier information about this event on [08] 8725 48I1 the CCOCA website. The National CIT-IN April 2021, down restrictions are relaxed jointly organised by CCCV so you need to book ASAP as and CCOCA, will be held in our reserved accommodation the beautiful country town of may only be held until the end Bendigo. The program and of July so please book well in application form have now advance. Accommodation is been posted on the CCOCA limited so please get in quickly. Website www.citroenclassic. Book by phone or email only org.au. As you know there and mention CIT-IN to receive will be a rush for holiday group rates. If you try to book accommodation when the lock online it could appear booked 12 Australia’s National Magazine for Citroën Owners and Enthusiasts 13

PROGRAM

Friday 2 April • Formal dinner at All Seasons This will be the fi rst opportunity Registration at All Seasons Resort Resort. to enjoy the fi rst post Covid-19 171 McIvor Highway, Bendigo national meeting and we Venue Monday 5 April 3pm – 6pm • Full buff et breakfast at All strongly recommend this event Welcome reception including generous supper All Seasons Resort Bendigo allseasonsbendigo.com.au Seasons Resort is supported by all CCOCA 6pm – 10pm 03 5443 8166 • Farewell members. There is a possibility Saturday 3 April It is important to remember that the event may need to Accommodation be modifi ed closer to April Show & Shine The resort has excellent rooms at competitive this event is co-hosted by CCCV Bendigo Festival rates negotiated for the conference - but book and CCOCA and by mutual but we are confi dent it will be Catered lunch at the festival early and mention Cit-In for special rates. consent and for accounting substantially as displayed. We Spit-roast dinner with country theme Alternative accommodation includes the purposes all payments should will keep you all informed. Big4 Caravan Park about 3 kilometres away Regards Sunday 4 April be directed through the CCCV Ted Cross ~ President Observation run visiting Cost (per person) website. There will be more historic towns in the region Early Bird (before 31/10/20) $260 information coming soon from On behalf of the CCOCA Later bookings (01/11/20 – 31/01/21) $275 CCOCA. committee Picnic lunch Just in Time (01/02/21 – 20/02/21) $290 Formal dinner at All Seasons Resort Age 5 –18yrs 50%

Monday 5 April Information and application forms Full buff et breakfast at All Seasons Resort citcarclubvic.org.au WHERE: Central Victoria and Farewell citroenclassic.org.au Western District FROM: Bendigo TO: Horsham out or higher prices will be 10pm. VIA: Ballarat, Lorne, War- listed. Saturday 3 April rnambool, Hamilton and Here is a sneak preview of the • Show & Shine, Bendigo Halls Gap event program. Festival, catered lunch at the COST: TBA, see below festival. Friday 2 April BOOKINGS: Expressions of inter- • Spit-roast dinner with country • Registration at All Seasons est being taken now theme. CONTACT: Brian James Resort, 171 McIvor Highway, Sunday 4 April [03] 9728 5526 Bendigo 3pm 6pm. ~ • Observation run visiting 0427 534 014 • Welcome reception including historic towns in the region, brianjamesphotography@ generous supper 6pm ~ picnic lunch. bigpond.com with ‘PostCit-In’ as the subject ENTRY FEE: The actual entry fee is a TBA right now. There may be POST BENDIGO CIT-IN RUN a small entry fee to cover 2021 some included meals, but no WHEN: Monday 5 to bookings have been made Thursday I5 April to date given the COVID-19 14 Australia’s National Magazine for Citroën Owners and Enthusiasts 15

Prime Ministers’ Castlemaine’s main • Accommodation in Ballarat Avenue, Ballarat street. [2 nights] Botanic Gardens. Eureka Stockade Holiday Park 104 Stawell St, Ballarat [03] 5331 2281 • D AY 2: Tuesday, 6 April Sovereign Hill, Gold Museum, Ballarat Gardens etc. • D AY 3: Wednesday, 7 April Ballarat to Lorne 158km Cape Otway Light Travel via Inverleigh for lunch. at night. • Accommodation in Lorne [2 nights] Lorne Foreshore Caravan Park. Erskine Falls 2 Ocean Rd, Lorne [03] 5289 1382 1300 364 797 situation. If there is a small fee, [email protected] participants will be advised, • D AY 4: Thursday, 8 April and this will be collected as Teddy’s Lookout, Erskine Falls. cash in Bendigo. • D AY 5: Friday, 9 April. Mount Alexander ACCOMMODATION EXPENSES: Lorne to Warrnambool 207km All entrants are responsible for Shire Council of- Twelve Apostles, Cape Otway booking their accommodation fi ces, Castlemaine. Light Station and all other expenses. Full • Accommodation in War- details are here. rnambool [2 nights] Warrnambool Holiday BOOKINGS OPEN: Expressions Park & Motel of interest will be taken now. Cnr Raglan Pde & Simpson BOOKINGS CLOSE: Again, St, Warrnambool COVID-19 has made planning Wimmera rail [03] 5562 5031 diffi cult but adequate advance bridge, Quantong. [email protected] warning of booking closure will Camp kitchen & BBQs be provided. Teddy’s Lookout, Great Ocean Road, • D AY 6: Saturday, 10 April • D AY 1: Monday, 5 April Warrnambool Heritage Bendigo to Ballarat 154km Cheese, Visit to Warrnambool A short walking tour around & District Historical Vehicle Bendigo prior to departure Club for Ballarat via Maldon, • D AY 7: Sunday, 11 April Castlemaine, Daylesford and Warrnamboool to Hamilton Creswick. 116km 16 Australia’s National Magazine for Citroën Owners and Enthusiasts 17

Fokker F.XI Univer- Lake Fyans Holiday Park [1 night] sal, Ansett Museum, 650 Mokepilly Road, Lake Horsham Riverside Caravan Hamilton. Fyans 3381 Park [03] 5356 6230 190 Firebrace St, Horsham stay@lakefyansholidaypark. [03] 5382 3476 com.au horsham@southerncross- • D AY 10: Wednesday, 14 April parks.com.au Halls Gap to Horsham 80km • D AY 11: Thursday, 15 April Total distance 811 We all head home with Reed Lookout, Mc Kenzies possible visit to Wimmera rail Sovereign Hill, Falls bridge at Quantong Ballarat. • Accommodation in Horsham

YOUR CITROËNS IN AUSTRALIA 28 APRIL,2020

We need your help, please. completed on I7 January I923. Following the overwhelming response We are looking for owners with to the release of the DS book in July vehicles that could showcase the Tower Hill, Port Fairy 20I9, author Geoffrey Webber has Australian Citroën presence and • Accommodation in Hamilton teamed up with Mark Provera to write community together with interest- [2 nights] the next book about the history of Lake Hamilton Motor Village Warrnambool & ing facts, experiences and personal Citroën in Australia. histories. We plan to reach out to our & Caravan Park, District Historic This new book will explore all the 8 Ballarat Rd, Hamilton Car Club. many personal contacts as the project models imported [offi cially or pri- develops but we would love to hear [03] 5572 3855 vately] and sold in this country, cover- [email protected] from you and would be thrilled to ing the various models throughout the • D AY 8: Monday, 12 April receive submissions about your cars, Campes Motor Museum, The decades and making special mention your memories and experiences with Nigretta Falls, The Ansett of any adaptations for Australian them, as well as any images, press or Museum conditions. We also want to capture promotional materials you might have • D AY 9: Tuesday, 13 April your experiences with your cars and access to. Hamilton to Halls Gap 96km celebrate how Citroën has evolved in We hope that you are managing as • Accommodation in Halls Australia over the I00 years since the best as can be in the current circum- Gap [1 night] Maldon’s main fi rst Citroën Type A arrived in October stances and that you are well. Halls Gap Gardens Caravan street on a bright I920. We would certainly love to hear from Park, Spring morning. We are currently in the research stage. you. 2223 Grampians Road Halls Our publication date of November Please feel free to contact Geoffrey by Gap 2022 will coincide with the centenary email at [email protected] [03] 5356 4244 of the fi rst vehicular crossing of the Yours in Citroëns, stay@hallsgapgardenscara- Sahara by the half-track Citroën Geoffrey Webber and Mark Provera vanpark.com.au Kegresses which was successfully or 18 Australia’s National Magazine for Citroën Owners and Enthusiasts 19

that of 2020 occur next year, Citroën, as well as the region of for example 30minutes from with the resulting legal restric- Delemont are looking forward Basel or 45minutes from Belfort. tions on demonstrations and to a special event that should not Prices for the 24 World Meet- events, we will of course have to only meet the expectations and ing of 2CV Friends 202I [until act accordingly. wishes of all participants and visi- 3I.I2.2020] In any case, we will make eve- tors, but also make us happy as • €I00 ~ Citroën 2CV + HY ry effort to ensure that the 202I organisers. • €I20 ~ Citroën pre-27.07.I990 World Meeting can be main- Thank you for your attention • €I30 ~ Citroën post 27.07.I990 tained with all participants pre- and see you soon in Helvetia ! • €200 ~ Other [non-Citroën] registered. Of course, in special The Organising Com- • €40 ~ Person without a car, cases, we also trust in the under- mittee of the World Meet- visitors 6 days. Choose this only The Coronavirus crisis in the standing and cooperation of all ing of 2CV Friends 202I if you are not travelling in a car. fi rst half of 2020 has seriously af- meeting participants and visitors. Willi Brändli ~ President [eg bicycle, camping] fected or cancelled all the events After the cancellation of major WHEN: Tuesday, ,27 July to Vehicle prices always include planned for this year at the glob- events in 2020, such as the Na- Sunday, I August 202I the entry for the driver and al level. Most 2CV-related events tional in France, DET, ICCCR, etc, WHERE: Delémont, Jura, co-driver. Additional passengers have also been affected. we are particularly looking for- Switzerland may be added as required. Despite these experiences, the ward to our 202I World Meeting COST: From €I00 To register online, you need in Switzerland and will do our ut- information about the driver, Organising Committee [OC] of BOOKINGS: Essential, most to offer an interesting and passengers and your car [year, the 202I World Meeting in Swit- www.2cv2021.ch/inscription/ beautiful meeting. license plate, etc]. Payment is ?lang=en zerland is continuing its work in a That is why it is important not made by credit card. consistent and coherent manner only for us, but also for you, that CONTACT: [email protected] Admission for day visitors is free. to ensure that the event can take as many participants as possible The Meeting site is located in a Their access is limited to the place in all situations. Therefore, register by the end of 2020 and beautiful natural environment festival grounds and do not have the current plan will be main- still benefi t from the preferential just 5minutes from the city of access to the campsite. tained and, if necessary, adapted rate, which is valid until 3I De- Delémont, capital of the Jura. You will get your ticket as a PDF to take into account any health cember 2020. It is located in the heart of Eu- for self-printing. The ticket will measures. The Organising Committee, rope, limiting the travel time to be available only after receipt of Should a situation similar to our Swiss friends of the 2CV and the destination for participants, payment. 20 Australia’s National Magazine for Citroën Owners and Enthusiasts 21 TThehe LittleLittle FFrenchrench CCarar… little 2CV and base it on a series exciting and fun folks and go to of adventures that will match cre- exciting places. ative minds to the iconic French There are six books coming icon? Stories that will share the and maybe more says Stan. The incredible history of the 2CV fi rst book has Ms Deuzy in her with the collectors who grew up native Paris. with them and with their children Images above: Excerpt from and friends. The Little French Car in Paris. Ms Deuzy is a real character The second book is just wrap- ping up with Ms Deuzy visiting a on four wheels who talks to Luc farm near Aix in France and the tan Cheren has started a and her animal and automobile third book in the series may see novel project quite literally! friends. Her constant companion her at Le Mans. SHe and his wife Barbel at Ranch is Luc, an I8 year old student at Stan and Barbel invite you to Park Publishing in Fearrington the Sorbonne in Paris. He spends share stories of your experienc- Village near Chapel Hill, North the summers on his family farm es with your favourite 2CVs and Carolina, have launched a book outside of Aix. to tell us where you would like series called “The Little French In these stories Stan and Bar- them to take their Ms Deuzy in Car”. bel will give Ms Deuzy the am- the future. Available in English, French and ple opportunity The Little French Car in Paris Spanish. to meet [English version] is available now Inspiration comes from own- [for US$12.99+shipping] and can ing a 2CV they call Ms Deuzy. She be ordered through FPS West, is a I985 grey ‘Charleston’ model our 2CV parts partner in the manufactured at the Citroën fac- US. They expect the Spanish and tory in Levallois outside of Paris. French copies any day now. They fell in love with her on their So, tell your friends and fam- travels and in 20I2 brought her ily that both the eBook and pa- back from Belgium. perbacks editions of The Little In their travels throughout French Car in Paris are here! htt- North Carolina, they are con- ps://www.thelittlefrenchcar.org/ stantly approached by people fascinated to see it, especially chil- dren! So they thought ~ why not write a series of books on their 22 Australia’s National Magazine for Citroën Owners and Enthusiasts 23 SSMM: SoakingSoaking Maserati?Maserati? Not every SM story is as happy as those told by Jon Faine or John Mold in recent editions of ‘Front Drive’. Some, like the one here just leave you feeling so sorry for the owner.

freshly restored Citroën SM managed to roll into theA Doubs River at Avanne- Aveney in eastern France [just west of Besançon] on July 3. Its owner forgot to apply the hand- brake and the car ended up in the canal below. When returning from a catering shop the owner was confronted with the unfor- tunate incident. River traffi c was stopped by the French inland waterways [VNF], to prevent any risk of an accident and an excavator was summoned to get the SM out of the water. A diver strapped the vehicle and after an hour or so, the SM reappeared on the sur- face thoroughly waterlogged and with front end damage. The Doubs is a 453-kilome- tre long river in eastern France and western Switzerland, and is a tributary of the Saône. Its source is near Mouthe in the western Jura mountains, at an altitude of 946metres. It is the tenth longest river in France. After drying out the SM, we wonder; what will the restora- tion process be this time? This report appeared on citroenvie.com 24 Australia’s National Magazine for Citroën Owners and Enthusiasts 25 A ChanceChance MeetingMeeting had designed that car. following Saturday. working on that car and the chal- here’d you get that I paused, realizing suddenly, that The day arrived and I drove to lenges presented to him by the CX?’ was not the I was talking to someone impor- his house in the CX. We became Chief Designer, Elwood Engel. question‘W I expected as I disem- tant from the company! Without acquainted, talked cars of course, One morning Mr Engel walked barked from my I987 CX GTi in too much prodding Art revealed but we mostly talked about Art’s into the studio and planted a fi re the parking lot of Home Depot. that he was the retired [in 2000] career. He shared his resumé axe into the rear end of Art’s clay ‘In my driveway,’ was my smart- Chief of Styling for Citroën! I was as passed out by Citroën when model saying ‘be creative!’ That aleck reply. I expanded on that bowled over. My pulse quickened he was with them. By this time I was the start of the design of the answer to include the actual cir- and the hair on the back of my had done some research on him, fabulous rear end of the Turbine cumstances and that it was initial- neck stood up. Was this real? We could not fi nd a lot on the web car. ly brought over by CXA, etc. Left: Art Blakselee talked a few minutes more, me but enough to assure myself he Art continued up the Chrysler I was talking to an older gen- today, standing keeping cool outwardly. Art gave was genuine. management ladder due partly, tleman dressed very causally in next to his retire- me his phone number and ad- Who is Art Blakeslee? according to Art, to his engineer- a partially open shirt and short ment gift from PSA. dress and I gave him mine and Art was born in Michigan in ing schooling. That was an unusu- pants. I also explained, quickly Right: The ‘profi le’ we went our separate ways on I935. I share his birthday, how al discipline for a stylist in the ‘60s and briefl y, that my family owned of automotive this busy [for me] weeknight. is that for a coincidence? After Left: Images of and it earned him opportunities a fairly large number of Citroëns designers in the I immediately called my brother graduating from Notre Dame Carl Olsen are as very quickly. By I973 he was the and had for many years. I980s was not like and father to share the discovery. University with a Bachelor of Sci- rare as those of chief stylist for concept studies, ‘How do you like the new those of Wal- They can tell you I was defi nitely ence in Industrial Design, Art was Art Blakeslee. commercial studies and interna- Citroëns?’, he asked. Well, I do ter de Silva [VW] on a high. I called Art a couple hired by Chrysler in I960. There Right: Olsen [cen- tional studies. not have a lot of experience with or Chris Bangle of weeks later. I did not want to he became a designer and in tre] with Geoff In I976 Art moved to England, the later cars, since they are not [BMW]. So fi nding appear too eager. Okay, a cou- I965 he was promoted to Man- Matthews [left] taking over the Chrysler Eu- imported here, but I did share a period picture of ple of weeks is a long time, but ager, International Design Studio. and Jean Giret rope studios as Director of De- my thoughts about the C5 I sat in Blakeslee… well, I was busy with work and I did During that time he designed [right]. Truly a sign. Chrysler was having trouble for a few minutes back in 2002 at this is the best I not know how busy Art would the famous Chrysler Turbine. slice of Citroën however and in I980 sold their the ICCCR. He then told me he could do. be. We set up a meeting for the He can tell numerous stories of design royalty. European operations to the PSA 26 Australia’s National Magazine for Citroën Owners and Enthusiasts 27 A ChanceChance MeetingMeeting Group. Art became the Director working for Fisorre in Italy he and San Diego addresses and of Advance Style for Talbot, one used his mother’s maiden name. have tried to contact him [by of the PSA family. In I984 he was In January I980, Fiore initially be- phone and letter] he can never selected to be the Director of came a consultant to the French be reached and never responds. Advance Studio for PSA Peugeot Elwood Engel is manufacturer Citroën, which had I believe he is somewhat disillu- Citroën. widely credited not had its own design manage- sioned with what happened to While in that position he hired with design- ment staff for four years after the his freelance efforts in the I960s two different Chiefs of Styling for ing the Chrysler departure of its chief designer and will have nothing to do with Citroën. Trevor Fiore and Carl Turbine car. This Robert Opron in autumn 1975. them or with anyone concerned Olsen both had short tenures at article credits Art Six months later, Fiore took over with them’. Citroën. Blakeslee with the the position of Head of Design Carl Olsen [Ed. The apparent ‘revolving design. 55 exam- at Citroën and expanded the in- Between I97I and I982 Ols- door’ at Citroen has always ples were built by house studio. Fiore presented in en was a tutor in the graduate fascinated me. So, this ‘chance Ghia: fi ve proto- a short time several design stud- transportation design program at meeting’ has given me the types and a limit- ies, including the Citroën Karin the Royal College of Art [RCA] impetus to fi nd out a little more ed run of 50 cars and the project Xenia. In I983, a in London England. Many of his about both Trevor Fiore and for a public user Citroën design studio was estab- students are now design chiefs Carl Olsen. Here you go…] programme. All the lished in Sophia Antipolis under in the world’s automotive design Trevor Fiore cars were painted Fiores management. After leaving studios. Here is what Wikipedia has to the same metallic, Citroen he ‘dropped from prom- In 1982, Carl was ‘head-hunted’ say about Fiore, who was born root beer-coloured inence’. Trevor Frost in the UK in I937 to paint known as Your Editor found this refer- Top: Fiore’s Karin. A one-off wedge of an Italian mother and an English ‘turbine bronze’. ence to Fiore on the internet: sci-fi fantasy, few things before or since father. From I964, when he start- ‘Although I have his Nice have harnessed the laws of trigonometry ed to such drastic effect. Centre: Flip up the butterfl y doors, drop into the cabin and you enter another di- mension, one where beige was everything. And once they’d absorbed the tan tones they’d fi nd one of the greatest dash- boards ever put in a car. Bottom: Trevor Fiore was also respon- sible for the ‘break monocorps Xenia. Envisaged it as a GT for the year 2000, unfortunately the concept was not de- veloped any further. Throughout the ‘80s, Citroën rejected the idea of a single volume car despite the success of the Renault Espace. PSA had turned down the

It is one of the Chrysler Corporation Turbine Cars exhaust would melt asphalt. them. It starts instantly, even at sub-zero. No warm-up. PLYMOUTH • CHRYSLER • IMPERIAL • DODGE • DODGE being assigned to a selected group of typical American But Chrysler Corporation proved this wrong. Virtually no friction, no vibration. Only a fifth the major TRUCKS • SIMCA • DEFENSE AND SPACE PRODUCTS idea when Matra fi rst showed them the AMPLEX • AIRTEMP • CHEMICAL DIVISION • MARINE DIVISION motorists. Their reaction and continuing research will Chrysler metallurgists developed inexpensive alloys made parts of a piston engine. A cooler, cleaner exhaust. And INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS DIVISION help to determine to future of automotive gas turbines. of readily available, non-strategic materials – to handle an engine sound, pleasant and exciting. concept, based on the BX platform. Just a few years ago, it was questioned whether this stage the engine’s “hot temper”. And Chrysler engineers Making a turbine car practical is yet another of the in turbine car development could ever be reached. Some designed a car that performs as well or better than a many challenges Chrysler Corporation is meeting, in envisioned a turbine a half car – half fuel tank, with a conventional car with comparable horsepower – and gets its diversified activities as the 12th largest industrial prohibitively expensive engine made of exotic materials. as good mileage on its fuel. It runs equally well on diesel company in America, confident in its strength and The car would be sluggish, bulky, painfully noisy. The fuel, kerosene, unleaded gasoline, JP-4, or any mixture of enthusiastic about its future. 28 Australia’s National Magazine for Citroën Owners and Enthusiasts 29 A ChanceChance MeetingMeeting by Citroën to take over their de- 15 national auto shows. I convinced sign studio near Paris, France. He the Direction to allow us to do was responsible for all of their a concept car which would be new vehicles as well as major completely developed using au- facelifts. In addition he produced tomated processes so that it did two concept cars the Xantia and not interfere with the produc- the EOLE. tion designs our modellers were Of the Xanthia Olsen writes, building. The surfaces were de- ‘The 84 Xanthia was created to veloped full size in the comput- give the launch of the AX a boost, er and then the body was milled to give it a youthful sporty image. 2 6 on a fi ve axis milling machine. I The car uses the AX production believe it was the fi rst car pre- hood, front lamps, grill and a mod- sented in public to be done this ifi ed production instrument pan- way. The initial theme was cre- el. The dark rear graphic includ- ated by Geoff Matthew. Market- ing license plate light up to create ing did not like the car because it a strong identity in the dark. The looked too much like a Citroën, tyres were the fi rst decorative it was their goal to kill the aes- tires on a show car which set a thetic traditions of the marque. It trend that many copied. There is had a Cd of 0.I9. The front wheel a rumble seat and the roll bar in- covers operated off the car’s hy- corporates grab handles to assist draulic system. The interior was rear passengers’. 7 constructed in the standard way. Writing of the EOLE, Olsen I received a patent for the audio/ 3 says, ‘The EOLE, was conceived visual system which was an elec- at a time that Citroën had no tric track running through the new products to offer at inter- central console that permitted I & 2: Xanthia was created to give the 5 & 6: The exterior and interior of the launch of the AX a boost, to give it a fi rst Activa model, developed for the youthful sporty image. The car uses the I988 motorshow circuit. The extrior im- AX production hood, front lamps, grill age clearly shows the car’s four-wheel and a modifi ed production instrument steering. panel. 4 8 7: Geoff Matthews, who headed-up the 3 & 4: The EOLE was presented at the team which developed the EOLE concept, I985 motor shows. It was developed standing next to his creation. It was not because Citroën had no new models liked by the Marketing team who be- to present that year. The model [4] is lieved it looked ‘too much like a Citroën’. holding the car’s modular entertainment Apparently that was a bad thing. unit which could be placed in multiple 8: This particular image [taken at the locations thoughout the car, or indeed Citroën Conservatoire] clearly demon- completely removed. strates the EOLE’s roots in the CX. 30 Australia’s National Magazine for Citroën Owners and Enthusiasts 31 A ChanceChance MeetingMeeting the radio/CD/ tape player to be ex-students worked diligently to vehicles, including: the Chrysler tidy up the design. His genius was placed in multiple locations and establish the Carl Olsen Endow- Alpine of I976 [aka Simca I308], to skilfully make it look as if the to be used outside the car. The ment Fund to assist in the run- Chrysler Sunbeam, Talbot Tagora, car had been designed that way seats were cantilevered off the ning of the CCS Trans Program. Matra Rancho and the car that in the fi rst place. centre console’. Geoffrey Matthews would become the Renault Es- In an era when dreary old The EOLE, is believed to be the Geoffrey Matthews worked on pace. Yes, like Art himself, Geoff dullards of the car industry and world’s fi rst vehicle created en- the exterior design of numerous also joined Citroën following clueless, unimaginative motoring tirely by computer and automat- Peugeot’s swallowing of Chrysler journalists criticised Citroën for ed processes. Europe. being ‘weird’ [the kind of insipid, In I987 at the suggestion of During the I980s he was pro- lazy scribes who insert the word GM’s Design VP Chuck Jordan , moted to Chief Exterior Design- ‘quirky’ into anything Citroën re- Carl returned home to the USA er at Citroën, where he oversaw lated] Geoff was one of those to take over the Transportation the development of the exte- who shrugged off these bores in Design Program at the College rior designs for production cars, the pursuit of true design excel- for Creative Studies [CCS]. The refreshes and concepts. This in- lence and innovation. He helped Board of Trustees of CCS award- volved working on the Citroën to create what we now know to ed Carl the position of Professor AX, BX, Series II CX as well as XM. be the cars of the future. From Emeritus upon his retirement in During his time at Citroën, the lightweight and handsome 200I. Michelin established an an- Matthews also spearheaded the AX to the exceptional XM, re- nual scholarship in his name and EOLE project,which was based markably a car that looks better around the CX and was displayed now than it did 25years ago’. at the I986 Geneva Motor Show, Dan Abramson and pioneered developments in Dan Abramson is one of the aerodynamics and design. great designers of the Citroën James Walshe of ‘Practical Clas- era from 1983 [advanced de- sics’ wrote, ‘ …for me, his genius sign] to 2007. He is known for his was most evident in his work on work on the two concept cars the refreshed CX of I985. One of Activa and Activa II ~ from I988 the greatest challenges for a de- and I990. But he has worked on signer is to restyle and update an many other works as we will dis- existing model ~ especially if it is cover. Today design director of already a harmonious and well- RCD Except he was interviewed proportioned shape like the CX. for lignesauto.fr. But Geoff achieved it. With clev- In common with Blakeslee and er use of composite materials, he Matthews, Abramson joined Cit- improved the CX, giving it further roën from the Chrysler studio at balance, svelteness and moderni- Poissy. Main picture: The team reviewing a full ty. Check out the black sill covers, ‘I came there in 1984, after scale model of Activa I. The middle fi gure which make it look longer and PSA acquired Chrysler Europe. is Art Blakeslee and to his left is Geof- sleeker. See how the side strips The French group set up this ad- frey Matthews. and rear wheel covers unify to vanced styling studio and Arthur Above: The I990 Activa II. 32 Australia’s National Magazine for Citroën Owners and Enthusiasts 33 A ChanceChance MeetingMeeting Blakeslee took over. He had just els! Bertone made his own with tention to the marketplace. They roën. He came away with the followed the genesis of the Talbot a rather exceptional fi nish, made were out of touch. four top designers, two French- Tagora at Withley in England. in chrome-plated brass and the Another problem was the men and two Russians. Arthur Blakeslee does not joints were superbly engraved. methods used by Citroën’s styl- Art’s experience with Citroën speak French very well and it We could touch the model with- ists in developing new designs. cars is, of course, with models seems to me that he is not treat- out fear, our decision-makers None of the designers could that few people in North Ameri- ed with the respect that we owe found it ‘solid’! Ours were just draw; they depended almost en- ca have experience with, or have him. I have always found that as expressive, but we worked on tirely on building models. And even seen. His fi rst task, in I987, damaging, because he is a brilliant them all the time, and sometimes they modelled with plaster-of- was to ‘productionize’ the XM. designer, but it took him a long they were full of tape, we made Paris, not the standard clay. This This is the process of making it time to impose his ideas. At the them evolve every day’. meant that changes were diffi cult possible to build the car on the same time, I understand that Carl Back to Art to mold into the model, lots of production line. But Art had big- Olsen [head of Citroën styling For a few years Art ran both work with chisels and hammers! ger plans for Citroën styling. from I982 to I987, was fi red pre- styling houses and in I987 he was Art needed an infl ux of new, He felt all along that the signa- cisely because as head of styling, asked to become the Chief of younger talent. But there were ture of Citroën was the double he imposed his ideas, which did Styling for Automobiles Citroën few, so Art hired 50 young men chevrons. He worked diligent- not please Luc Epron, marketing at the Centre de Création. Art in the area around Poissey [sic] ly to make the chevrons larger, manager. Citroën’s marketing at told me he wanted this position whose primary qualifi cation was but the head of Citroën, Xavi- the time was very strong. because he preferred Citroën to be good at working with their er Karchier, seemed ashamed of In I987, at the same time as over Peugeot. hands. He developed a training the Citroën heritage and would Arthur Blakeslee took over as Art’s Influence program and within six months not allow the chevrons to grow. head of the Citroën style, Do- Art was a very infl uential de- had a cadre of modellers he Only after Karchier left the com- nato Coco, Michel Albertus, Jean- signer in the industry. Citroën has could use to build the clay mod- pany was Art able to slowly en- Claude Quinet and even Jean had, for many years, a reputation els. After three years Art also large them. When he left they Giret were already there! Jean for creativity unlike any other established automotive design had grown to six inches in height, Giret was then an expert in plas- major manufacturer. Many de- courses at seven universities in- and were the centerpiece of the ter modelling. He was working signers saw Citroën as the best cluding Mamm University in Mos- modern Citroën grilles. Even to- on the Axel when I arrived at place to be. But it was not al- cow, the University of Straganev day his infl uence can be seen as Citroën. He seemed like an old ways this way. Art had his work in St Petersburg, the University the stylists work to modernize man hanging around the studio. cut out for him at Citroën. The of Coventry in England, and the the chevron’s appearance ~ vali- Arthur Blakeslee thought this ma- fi rst problem was that the styl- University of Dublin, Ireland and dating his opinion that the chev- terial [plaster] was ancient, cer- ists were very focused on their three others in France. ron is the signature emblem for tainly quite noble, and he want- own products and studios. This He sent Citroën’s designers to Citroën and is recognised around ed to impose the clay that is in was a result of perceived com- the universities with the task of the world. American culture. Jacques Calvet petition with the Peugeot stylists creating the design courses, af- Style at Automobiles Citroën and some decision-makers did and management, and also not a ter six months he evaluated their I beg your indulgence as I dis- not fi nd the clay precise enough. little due to Peugeot’s approach progress. Through this program cuss this topic, as I have not fol- One hot day, Calvet stuck his to Citroën after the takeover in he built a new group of young lowed the world of automobile thumb into a clay model of one I974. Art’s experience was that designers for the European auto style in any way. Oh I know a few of our proposals for the XM, with both companies suffered simi- industry while being able to pick names such as Opron and Ber- a grin. He preferred plaster mod- larly, and neither was paying at- the cream of the crop for Cit- tone but if you asked me more 34 Australia’s National Magazine for Citroën Owners and Enthusiasts 35 A ChanceChance MeetingMeeting about that I would be stuck. So ensuring his stylists got as much design and style. While the material used to model cars in talking with Art about design is a information about the new car as DS was designed, in house, by the design process. Engraved on bit of a foreign subject to me, but the outside stylists. Once he did Flaminio Bertoni the XM was the metal are the names of all the one in which I am slowly gaining that the Citroën Design depart- externally created by the house projects Art worked on in his ca- knowledge. ment won much more work. of Bertone, headed at the time reer, too many to list here! I would venture to say that Citroën did have a long history by Nuccio Bertone. On their Art is a true gentleman and many of us do not understand with Bertone. Bertone designed website Bertone lays claim to wonderful to talk with about Cit- how auto manufacturers come the DS and XM for example. But the design of the BX, XM, Xantia roën. He has several rare draw- up with new car styles. Notice I just as Elwood Engel takes credit and ZX as well as the design ex- ings from Citroën of the Traction am not saying ‘design’, rather ‘style’ for the Chrysler Turbine, Nuccio ercises for the GS-based Cama- Avant [an early side elevation which is more limited. When Art Bertone did not design the XM, drawing], and the 2CV. His home fi rst became involved with Cit- rather the designer was Marc rgue and the BX-based Zabrus. is a lovely example of excellent roën the styling was being done The M1 Abrams is Deschamps, who worked at But it does become complicated style. Art and his wife are lovers by outside companies such as a third-generation Gruppo Bertone. When Nuccio as Carl Olsen maintains the ZX Bertone. To roughly describe the American main died the company was thrown design was from Velizy: ‘There of antique furniture but could process, a concept for a new car battle tank de- into turmoil. Many people ex- were six models presented in not afford the ‘good stuff’ so he is developed by Product Manage- signed by Chrysler pected Marc Deschamps to be the fi rst presentation, three from became adept at fi nding good ment and they then have various Defense [now named the new President. When Velizy, two from PSA Advanced restoration projects and having companies develop competing General Dynam- that did not happen Deschamps Style and one from Bertone. The them brought back to life. designs, or styling exercises. ics Land Systems]. left and joined Heuliez, and Cit- chosen design is [a] Velizy design Art and his wife retired to Lees- What Art realized was that the That explains Art roën followed him breaking their which most closely adopted the burg, Virginia to be near their two process was unfairly biased to- Blakeslee’s involve- long-standing relationship with BX form vocabulary. It is a very daughters, they are only ten min- ward outside styling houses. He ment in its design Bertone. competent design for its time utes from my house. Sometimes insisted that the product develop- in the late I970s. [Ed. The author has clearly but too ordinary’.] the most wonderful discoveries ment team work through him to It fi rst entered shown us his lack of knowledge are in your own backyard. contact the outside houses, thus service in I980.. of the world of automotive In Retirement A Chance Meeting With There is much more to tell the Retired Chief of Styling, about Art’s career, for exam- Automobiles Citroën was ple he styled the US Army’s M1 written by Paul G Robinson Abrams tank. His long career and appeared in ‘Citroenvie!’, earned him great respect in the a quarterly publication [with a company. Accompanying this sto- North American perspective] ry are photos of the retirement for Citroën enthusiasts. While gift Citroën presented him with. I contacted the publication to It is a large sculpture sitting on a obtain permission to re-publish this article I received no reply.. solid marble base. The sculpture The original article has been was created in Turin, Italy and is substantially augmented with made from the same materials details of others in Blakeslee’s common to automobiles; steel, team including Trevor Foire, copper, wood, leather and plastic. Carl Olsen, Dan Abramson and The base is made from clay, the Geoffrey Matthews. 36 Australia’s National Magazine for Citroën Owners and Enthusiasts 37 SSplendiluxplendilux Managed by Henri Esclas- number of stylists and sen the owner, the TAI industrial coachbuilders over the bodywork [Tôlerie Automobile Ayears offered quite successful & Industrielle], installed in Bou- transformations based on main- logne-sur-Seine, rue d’Aguesseau, stream cars. These included Hen- offered its Splendilux kits at the ri Esclassen with the ‘Splendilux’ very beginning of I948 with a line, Emile Tonneline [‘ET’], Lou- price dated January I, and which is Miter [‘LM’], Marius Renard would be on display at the Oc- [‘transformation MR’] and many tober Paris Salon. Prices start- others to come after the war. ed at F132,725 and ranged to These adaptations allowed them F175,000 for a I5-Six conversion. to offer customers a formula that Ed; In I952, the only year for combined originality with the re- Above: One of TAI’s ics of their car with special grilles cessorised car due to its long life. which I have French Traction liability and after-sales network of cars on display as and boots, body kits, wheels and For twenty years, it has benefi t- prices, an I1BL cost F585,000, a mass-market brand. part of a concours hubcaps of all kinds, sunroofs, ed from a multitude of addition- an I1B F620,000 and a I5-Six From the Liberation until the d’élégance. transformations into découvra- al equipment, some useful and F840,000. So the Splendilux early I950s, many bodybuilders Right: The same bles, sun visors, special bumpers others merely decorative. Ama- added at least some 20 to 25% and equipment manufacturers TAI car being dis- and over-riders, grille patterns, teurs are snatching them up, hav- to the car’s cost. plunged into the realm of per- played as part of luggage racks, wing strips and ing sometimes discovered them Two Tractions with special sonalisation, mainly for the Trac- a promotion. guards, large horns, air defl ectors, in catalogues, period advertise- bodywork were parked in front tion which was still quite numer- luxury chrome lighting and head- ments or mergers. Rare supplies of the Grand Palais: an LM [Louis ous despite the recent confl ict. lights, indicators, running boards of stock still allow ‘fi nds’ to be un- Miter] and a Splendilux. Accord- This return of the car craze to name only the main equip- earthed, especially when they are ing to TAI this transformation would encourage many users to ment. new. caused a sensation at the show, want to stand out for the æsthet- The Traction was the most ac- and the fi rm then placed a lot of advertisements in the news- papers. In these advertisements the pre-war models are also still mentioned, to emphasize the fact Far left: An extract that the conversions are possible from l’Automibile for all Tractions. magazine. The other images show publicity and advertising mate- rial for Splendilux including [im- mediate left] the fi rst publicity from I948. 38 Australia’s National Magazine for Citroën Owners and Enthusiasts 39 SSplendiluxplendilux These sheet metal elements made it possible to transform a production Traction into a bour- geois automobile, reminiscent of the construction of a great body- builder. The wave of modernism which spread after the Libera- tion touched the lines of Traction which many sought to modify, Citroën not being able yet to of- cessed in the wings as in ‘Amer- fer a new model despite the Mar- ica’. The grille allows the use of shall Plan of I947. The very design all gearboxes including 4-speed of the car allows these assem- or the electromagnetic Cotal. blies. The American infl uence is a The interior is neat, sometimes in source of inspiration. Bodybuild- leather, and the dashboard fi ttings ers produce enveloping fenders AAss ppartart ooff thethe and aggressive grilles, a revers- SSplendiluxplendilux cconver-onver- incorporate controls adorned ible intervention due to the grille ssionion tthehe oownerwner with pearl or amber buttons. and bolted fenders. Aerodynam- ccouldould cchoosehoose a A new paint colour seen as a ics are essential and the shapes ggrillerille mmotif.otif. TThehe ‘makeover’ of the car completes elongate, envelop and integrate SSélectus,électus, sshownhown bbe-e- the whole. the headlights. llow,ow, waswas a popularpopular An Aristocratic Line The application of the TAI bod- cchoice.hoice. Like the competition, these ywork on the Traction is a model AAbove:bove: A ccloselose uupp sshowinghowing bothboth thethe of fl uidity by blending harmoni- cchromedhromed rrunningunning bboardoard aandnd tthehe ‘‘shoe’shoe’ ously with the original forms of oonn thethe rearrear wing,wing, wwhichhich wwasas aattachedttached ttoo the car which ‘cannot bear very bbothoth thethe wingwing andand body.body. clean lines without overloading BBelow:elow: TheThe rearrear ofof a SplendiluxSplendilux showingshowing chrome’ as the advertising em- tthehe newnew tear-droptear-drop rearrear wingswings andand shell-shell- phasizes. sstyletyle boot.boot. Remember,Remember, tthehe sstandardtandard ccarsars The Splendilux concept is a iinn II948948 werewere ‘small‘small boot’.boot’. set of adaptable parts, without any welding, using the same fi x- ing points on the body as the original parts, which implies fairly easy assembly. In principle, there- fore, we are not talking about a special body, but a conversion kit [like LM and ET and unlike Marius Renard with its modifi ed body]. The headlights are semi-re- 40 Australia’s National Magazine for Citroën Owners and Enthusiasts 41 SSplendiluxplendilux body kits replaced some parts of special headlights [again there including the spare wheel with narrower. The bumpers hold the original one. They were spe- are different versions for B, BL tilting support [the same as the two elements together cifi c for each model [7C, I1BL, and I5]. the Raoul version] towards the and the fastening brackets are I1B and I5 Six sedans, découvra- • Marchal luxury semi-recessed outside, two large hinges and a made of sheet metal at the bles and convertibles and coupés headlights. handle with a chrome lock. front and rear. from before the war]: • Two teardrop rear wings of • The bumpers: at the front • Four specifi c door trims. • The bonnet: the top is venti- the same quality as the front, and the rear they are of the The other exterior elements lated by two additional double but all models share the same same style, ovoid and double were optional and chosen by the customer: the wheels [Robergel rows of louvres [punctured]. design. The two polished tubular in either chromed As laterally the louvres of MMariusarius RRenardenard fi rrstst in sheet metal, Speed, RAF… aluminium rear wing ‘shoes’ steel or polished aluminium. the 4 cylinders are reversed; ddisplayedisplayed hhisis TTrac-rac- ], police license plate light, rear instead of inward, they are PPagesages 2 andand 3 ofof are attached to the wings and The reason is not known, but ttionion ‘transforma-‘transforma- lights, front wings ‘shoes’, side sill outward and go much further tthehe II948948 Splendi-Splendi- the body. the diameters were not always ttion’ion’ aatt tthehe II946946 trims, additional headlights. Like- forward [the 4 cylinder bon- lluxux brochure.brochure. • The Tonneline-style shell boot the same. The upper part is PParisaris SSalon.alon. wise, the customer could person- nets were probably pre-made]. alize the interior: luxury steering On the other hand, the wheel [Quillery, transparent Ap- louvers on the sides of the I5 plex, etc], buttons, comodo and bonnets remained unchanged; various other additional equip- TAI used the original bonnet ment. [the hood of the I939 I5 is A Golden Investment indeed a pre-war one]. Splendilux advertising empha- • The grille: this is a new round- sizes the quality of the materials, ed grille with vertical chrome their treatment and their attach- bars and a pattern above; the ment to the hulls thus assembled. bars are stainless [aluminium]. The transformation is supposed As on the original grilles there to increase the value of the car is a difference between Légère, Normale and I5. Those of the I5 are much more vertical and less rounded than those of the 4 cylinder cars whose crank hole can be round or oblong, I1BL or I1B. • A grille motif is added: often the Sélectus, but also other models as desired by the customer. • Two enveloping front wings, streamlined and profi led, with deep embossing, I0/I0 sheet metal with recessing for 42 Australia’s National Magazine for Citroën Owners and Enthusiasts 43 SSplendiluxplendilux Unfortunately, which makes it an excellent in- Marius Renard [MR] since I938. vestment… After the war he set up his the focus on this Marius Renard then built sev- picture leaves a The Competition company at 42, Rue Eichenberg- eral I1 and I5 under the name of Among the competitors of the TThehe SSplendiluxplendilux good deal to be MR. One client bought four cars er in Puteaux and joined forces desired, but it time: Marius Renard in Puteaux ppricerice llistist ooff JJanu-anu- delivered to Ste-Maxime on the aaryry II948.948. ItIt wouldwould with A Mézille in I946, Citroën’s was the only [MR], Clabot in Alfortville and Côte d’Azur [including a I5 se- aappearppear tthathat tthehe exclusive agent in Puteaux for one I could dan and a I5 découvrable] which Louis Miter [LM] in Paris, their cconversiononversion wwouldould the marketing of his Traction fi nd that were destined for Algeria, and achievements keeping only the aadddd aatt lleasteast 220%0% ‘transformation MR’. They exhib- showed this we do not know what became of original hull or airframe. ttoo thethe basebase priceprice ited at the October I946 Salon, interesting them… His creations took part Many other French and for- ooff thethe car.car. which was the fi rst to be held view of a in several shows and concours eign coachbuilders were not to Splendilux. d’élégance [notably Enghien and be outdone. Emile Tonneline of- Bois de Boulogne]. A few cars fered real interchangeable body were exported to Belgium. Un- kits with many accessories. til I953 he only transformed Trac- tions, while Mézille and March- and [an accessories dealer in Lyon] took care of the sales. Clabot The Clabot company, locat- ed at I5, rue du Pont d’Ivry in Alfortville, tackled the body of the Traction Avant I1CV from I947. For the proprietor, Robert Clabot, the principle is as fol- lows: we take a cabriolet [or se- dan] body of which we only keep the monocoque, the wings and the bonnet being sent to sal- vage, and we design a new car. If this is a convertible, the base car is bound to be pre-war, but it will incorporate a line direct- ly inspired by the achievements of the other side of the Atlantic at the time. The current count is that we are aware of I2 converti- bles B and I1BL, two coupés and a sedan. Louis Miter [LM] The coachbuilder Louis Miter 44 Australia’s National Magazine for Citroën Owners and Enthusiasts 45 SSplendiluxplendilux CConceptualisationonceptualisation was based in Paris at I8 avenue ET offered a range of special roën style centre at the time. In de la Porte de Champerret, not rounded aerodynamic grilles itroën concept cars have addition to the surprising py- far from the automotive bastion [with or without fl ap] which always responded to the ramidal shape, the composition of the inner western suburbs. proved to be successful despite canonsC of unconventionality in of the interior designed to ac- Miter offered bodywork com- the competition. Some were search of innovative stylistic so- commodate three people was ponents [wraparound wings, in- even fi tted to police-owned lutions. We have collected six of also astonishing. The driver’s seat tegrated headlights, new bonnet, Tractions as they allowed the the most extravagant prototypes was central and positioned slight- bumpers, running boards, deco- addition of a second dynamo from the I980s to the present Top: Trevor Fiore’s ly ahead of the two passengers, rative metal strips, wheels… ] for radio communications or in day: here is their story. Karin and below positioned one on each side. adaptable without welding ex- Splendilux did not cases allowed the Traction to be In I980, the French manufac- the Activa I which The main controls were near the cept for the boot. They are inte- confi ne themselves equipped with a Cotal electro- turer presented the Karin at the was, arguably, Cit- steering wheel, adjustable, while gral with the shell and appear to just to the various magnetic gearbox. Paris Motor Show, a concept car roën’s fi rst foray the on-board computer con- be its continuity. models of Traction These elements were available created by designer Trevor Fiore, into the fi eld of stantly communicated the state Avant. They also for 7, I1 and I5 with a variety of ac- who was responsible for the Cit- sports saloons. of the road. On the outside, the Emile Tonneline [ET] cessories [wheels, running boards, Emile Tonneline, a coachbuild- carried out work front head- door fl ames, bumpers, decora- er based at 26 rue Louis Blanc on the diminu- lights took on tive Renault 750. tive metal strips, hubcaps, interior the shape of in Courbevoie, adapted very well equipment… ], these additional to this new æsthetic trend, and A Splendilux 750 those of the even appeared in parts being chosen by the cus- SM, launched his extensive equipment gave tomers. The ET modifi cation was the Traction the appearance of a the I960 movie ten years ear- ‘Zazie quite successful in lier. Karin an- special body, all of which was re- the face of oth- versible. The wings are replaced dans le ticipated the er more exu- square shapes by larger ones with semi-inte- mé- berant and of later models grated headlights at the front; the tro’ expensive such as the BX, bonnet can be customized. A achieve- AX or XM. new boot quickly became ments. Eight years available in response to Thanks later it was the the competition. to Nico turn of the Ac- Michon, tiva I. The car Olivier de left the most Serres, Philippe classic and rec- Combette and Chris- ognisable Cit- tophe Houzet for some photos roën styling and details. canons to ven- This article, by Dominique Bellere, originally appeared in ture into the ‘Traction Avant’, the magazine fi eld of sports of La Traction Universalle, in saloons. The January 2020. It has been further Activa I was a augmented by material found by concentrate of the Editor. innovations: in 46 Australia’s National Magazine for Citroën Owners and Enthusiasts 47 CConceptualisationonceptualisation namism thanks to its liveliness. All the modernity of Revolte is ex- pressed through its original de- sign inspired by the iconic 2CV. The citycar had an innovative in- terior, bold colours and materi- als and cutting-edge technology just like plug-in hybrid propul- sion. Survolt, on the other hand, was the sporty and even more outgoing version of Revolte, with the aim of further subverting the codes for a new interpretation of the peppery citycar. Six years later, Citroën creates addition to the advanced aero- the CXperience concept, also dynamic study, the car aimed to on display in the exhibition that increase driving pleasure with Auto&Design created at muse- some new features such as four- um Mauto of Turin to celebrate wheel steering and independent, its 40th anniversary. The car com- and active hydraulic suspension. bines power and driving pleasure, The innovations continue in- combining a strong silhouette side: head up displays and other with cutting-edge technology, in screens provide information on a bright and protected environ- the car’s driving and behaviour. ment, thanks to sensory isolation Despite a line of great appeal for passengers seeking maximum and cutting-edge solutions, Activa well-being. Wraparound seats, I will never be mass produced. single armoured steering wheel, Breaking conventions, rewriting rules, revolutionizing lines, always surprising: these are challenges that distinguish the brand’s ap- proach in proposing its idea of innovation. In this spirit, in 20I0, Citroën presented the Revolte and Survolt concept cars, bet- ting on plug-in and electric hy- brid vehicles with an attractive, high-performance design. A small urban, ultra-chic concept car, Re- volte combined elegance and dy- 48 Australia’s National Magazine for Citroën Owners and Enthusiasts 49 CConceptualisationonceptualisation dashboard and seat back in wal- a response to new urban mo- nut, interior lighting, air purifi ca- bility needs. It is accessible to all, tion, I9” central touch display, electric, shareable, I00% electric, new ‘Share with U’ application for ultra compact and can accom- sharing rows among passengers, modate up to two people. For its plug-in hybrid drive chain: CXpe- part, I9_I9 Concept, created to rience was a concentrate of in- mark the brand’s centenary, aims novations. to be an electric mobility solu- The latest Citroën concept tion for longer journeys with an cars present the brand’s vision absolutely innovative approach for the future of mobility. Ami in terms of well-being on board, One Concept, presented at the performance and technological Geneva Motor Show in 20I9, is solutions. An aerodynamic and technological object, with a design inspired by the world of aeronaut- ics: the cabin is enclosed in a transparent capsule sus- pended on the large wheels at the four ex- treme corners of the car. © This article originally appeared in Auto&Design and is reproduced with their permission. It may not be reproduced elsewhere without the permission of the publisher. 50 Australia’s National Magazine for Citroën Owners and Enthusiasts 51 DDashingashing DesignDesign 1 4 4] The Series I Visa with its single sat- rgonomics, design, tech- ellite to the left of the wheel and its nology. The Citroën Study often underestimated heating/ventilation Centre,E the French manufactur- control on the right [I978]. er’s design soul, has always paid 5] The GSA Pallas [I979] with two satel- the utmost attention to these lites. It always amuses your Editor that three elements, and Citroën cars the largest item on the display is the di- have historically remained refer- agram telling you what has gone wrong. ences for functionality, comfort, wipers, because all these func- style and ‘useful technology’. The tions are entrusted to two ‘satel- interior design is no exception: lites’, located on the left and right since the introduction of the DS of the steering wheel where the I9 in I955, the dashboards of Cit- controls are located: as well as roën cars have never ceased to 2 5 having an ergonomics that makes amaze, with extraordinary tech- them easy to operate using only nical solutions, never eccentric the fi ngertips, these allow you to for the sake of being so, but al- drive the vehicle without ever ways oriented towards func- taking your hands off the steer- tionality that becomes safety in ing wheel, which in the case of the daily use of the car. Having most CX models is also fully ser- grouped all the car’s main con- vo-assisted, even when returning trols around the steering wheel from standstill and realigning af- so that they could be operated ter curves and overtaking. easily without distracting atten- The CX’s dashboard will be tion from driving, in I974, with the the fi rst in a long series of mem- launch of the CX, Citroën dem- orable automotive design ob- onstrated its capabilities by intro- jects, including the I978 Visa, the ducing an entirely new concept fi rst compact car equipped with of dashboard: the ‘lunette’. a ‘satellite’, then the I979 GSA, A masterpiece by designer 3 which had two satellites, and fi - Michel Harmand of the Citroën 1] Since the introduction of the DS I9 in I955 the dashboards of Citroën cars have nally the I982 BX, which had a Style Centre in Velizy, the ‘lunette’ dashboard with controls capable has tapered lines and groups to- never ceased to amaze. 2] While, arguably, the dashboards of of beautifully combining a ‘space- gether all the elements of the age’ aesthetic with the typical Cit- dashboard, including the inno- the DS became less innovative over time nothing would have prepared the world roën functionality. vative illuminated rotating drum In I985, with the total restyl- for Michel Harmand’s dash of the CX at speedometer, which is easy to ing of the CX for the I986 model read. With the ‘lunula’ there are its launch in I974. 3] With the I985 re-style Michel Har- year, Michel Harmand complete- no longer the familiar secondary ly renewed the look of the car control levers, such as headlights, mand renewed the look of the cx with- out losing any of its peculiarities. This is without losing any of its peculiari- arrows, horn and windscreen ties: the dashboard was ‘dug out’ it in Turbo II form. 52 Australia’s National Magazine for Citroën Owners and Enthusiasts 53 DDashingashing DesignDesign FForor SaleSale to increase the distance from the UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED ALL PRICES SHOWN passenger who, in addition to EXCLUDE RELEVANT GOVERNMENT having a large and comfortable TAXES AND CHARGES. carpet-covered shelf, could expe- 1950 CITROËN 11B rience a new feeling of spacious- My I950 Citroën BI1 Normale [209030] project is sadly ness. The satellites and the ‘lu- going to be for sale, as I’m no longer able to get back into nette’ are modernised in design restoring it. The car used to be another member’s car and adapted to the new regula- [Peter Fitzgerald] and was named ‘Moriarty’ way back then. tions that require all controls to In any case, it is complete, although the interior is a bit of be grouped together. In accord- a mess, partly disassembled interior by previous owner ~ and I kept it the way I got it… The crown wheel and pinion ance with these new require- are worn beyond repair and would need to be replaced ments, fi rst with the restyling of if restored to original. I have acquired an ID I9 engine Visa and BX and then, four years and 4-speed gearbox with the intention of fi tting that to later, with the arrival of Citroën facilitate better maintenance and drivability. There is also a XM, the levers will return around spare rough boot lid and a second spare wheel. Along with it is an original set of parts list and workshop manual as well the steering wheel. as a complete photocopy and scanned versions as PDF. I Obviously, it’s not a simple re- have a few photos of it out of the ‘barn’ when I poured a turn to the past, because Cit- concrete slab in the barn in readiness to start working on roën’s switches have the same the car a couple of years ago… $I0,000.00 ONO. Contact functions as the satellites, and Details: E-mail [email protected] or 0499 050 609. Joe Hovel, Bendigo. [44/02] on XM they even go so far as to transfer the controls of the radio 1971 CITROËN DS 21 and other secondary functions Very extensive restoration carried out. New paint, to the only race of the steering upholstery, carpets, roof lining, exhaust system, electrics, wheel. dashboard, and all mechanicals. Drives superbly, and is close © This article originally to a new vehicle. More photos and refurbishment invoices over the last 4 years available on request. WA Reg: IGNY appeared in Auto&Design and is 024, $43,000 Stuart Pekin ~ Perth 04 0423 I7I2 [44/0I] reproduced with their permission. It may not be reproduced CITROËN 2CV elsewhere without the permission I986, 60K kms. Recent import from UK ~ fl eeing Brexit!! of the publisher. Was to be used as a Company Rep’s car, but things have changed. Car is in very good overall condition, but needs some minor tidying up and cleaning to be really Great! Full set of new Michelin tyres. I put the car through Licensing Three views of the Series I BX dash. The some 6 months ago for my client, with no issues. WA Reg: top and centre pictures show the dash IGUG 262, $22,000. Stuart Pekin ~ Perth 04 0423 I7I2 of the ultra-rare [only 3,000 were made] [44/0I] BX Digit, with its digital display. The bot- tom picture is the GT version showing its conventional dials. Your Editor prefers that of the TRS with its revolving drum speedo and digital tachometer. CITROËN CLASSIC OWNERS’ CLUB OF AUSTRALIA Australia’s National Citroën Car Club