Super French (Citroen Renault) car collection (Part 3 of 3)/French car collector interview

Click here for Part 1.
Click here for Part 2.

You've seen the cars.  Now, here is my interview with the man behind those cars-- Ron.

Disclaimer: This is based on a conversation we had so the answers are not verbatim.

1. Why do you love cars?
Very simple.  I like different cultures and a car embodies the culture of wherever it came from.  For example, with the French, the attitude is "We don't care what others think; we're going to solve problems our own way."  With Americans, it's about volume, and selling cars cheap.  With the Japanese, it's miniaturization.  The Germans are mechanical and inventive, but not good at electronics.  The Italians are sexy.

2. Why French cars?
I'm fascinated by the way the French tackle problems.  For example, there are bad roads in France.  The Citroen 2CV tackles the problem with an extremely simple design.  On the other end of the spectrum, the Citroen DS tackles the same problem with a very complex design.  The DS is over-the-top.  Whatever the French do, they do it their own way.

3. You are downsizing your collection from a height of 32 cars.  Why are you culling the herd, so to speak?
Life is like an arc.  In the beginning, it's all about acquisitions.  Then, you reach the top.  As you get older, you deal with loss and giving up things.  It's about dealing with the loss, whether it be family members or friends, or material things, gracefully.  You come to realize that material things are not as important and it just makes life complicated.

4. What would you say to the potential Citroen/Renault owner who is hesitant about taking the plunge?
You only live once.  You'll never have any other experience like it.  If you're not afraid of what other people think, you'll truly enjoy it.

5. Where and how do you find these low mileage cars?  
I know a Frenchman in England named Olivier at French Classics, Ltd.  He knows what I like and will alert me to cars.  He will go to France, pick up the car, drive it to England, and ship it to me.

6. What advice would you give prospective buyers?
First, familiarize yourself with the history and purpose of the car.  If you don't know why a car was made, you may be disappointed.  For example, was it designed to be a luxury car, a farmer's car, or a family car?  Second, make sure you have a mechanic who is capable of working on your car already lined up.  Third, join a car club.  In the States, the members are very helpful and want to keep the brand alive here so they will do anything and everything to support you and your car.

7. Where do you get your parts?
Western Hemispheres in Watsonville.  Ebay.  Specialist stores and websites based in English speaking countries-- U.K., New Zealand, and Australia.

8. When you drive one of these classics, what is one tool you always bring with you?
Everyone says fan belt, but I've never needed one.  I would say a cell phone (no joke).

9. (From Alan) What do you think of "modern" French cars?  Ever tempted to import a Citroen C6 or Peugeot 607?
I am a New Zealand resident and own a C6 there.  (Ed.: *Jaw drops*)

9.1. They are not in the same category, but how would you compare your Audi A8L W12 with your diesel C6?
The C6's ride is soft, like the DS's.  But with the aid of computers, it does not roll as much as a DS.  The C6 rides better than the A8 and it has just as much room.  The C6 does not handle or accelerate as well as the A8, but it does get better fuel economy.

10. (From Alan) Can the average Joe with average mechanical skills and a modest budget realistically afford to keep something like a DS or a CX in running condition?
Absolutely.  My advice would be to buy a DS immediately because it is surging in value.  Ever since the DS's 50th anniversary in 2005, people have become more aware of it.  Younger buyers are fascinated by its unusual qualities and are realizing the car's importance.  The CX will never be as appreciated as much, but it is easier and cheaper to maintain.

11. What will your collection look like in two years?  In twenty years?
In two years, I will have gotten rid of a lot of the quirky cars like the Simca and the R16s.  I will be keeping the cars that are appreciating in value, i.e. the DSs.  In twenty years?  I don't know, I'll just let things happen.  Under one scenario, I may have no cars, because my mechanic Lon Price will have retired by then.  Under the second scenario, I may have a collection of really unusual cars, like the four-door Citroen SM (the Opera) or some DS Chaprons.

Again, thanks Ron!

Super French (Citroen Renault) car collection (Part 2 of 3)

Click here for Part 1.
Click here for Part 3.

Location number two.  Open sesame.  Before my eyes, a Citroen extravaganza.  There's a BX on top.  Behind that is an XM, the one car I wanted to see more than any other.  Below the XM is an SM.   To the left of the SM is a DS convertible.  Not pictured: Above the DS convertible is a fuel injected DS.  To the right of the SM are another DS and the Peugeot 405 featured in BAT.

I have to control myself and save the XM 'til the end.  It looks brand new!

Okay, back to the BX.  This is probably the only BX in America.  It was imported by aerospace company Lockheed.  It was taken to Lockheed's wind tunnel because engineers were puzzled by how such a boxy car had such a low coefficient of drag (0.34).

The BX's 1980s era gauges, with a big dollop of creme de Citroen.

Sourire=To smile.  Out of Ron's incredible collection, the BX is surprisingly Ron's favorite.  His reason: He likes the hydropneumatic suspension mated to the lightweight body.

Next batter: Citroen SM-Sm-sm.  Very tidy Maserati engine.

Citroen SM interior.

This Citroen SM head unit is BETWEEN the front seats.  Tuning this radio is definitely more dangerous than texting.

Citroen SM tachometer and speedometer.

Citroen SM gear shift and choke.  This was SM World's Jerry Hathaway's personal car for 25 years.  The SM impresario is known for racing an SM on the Bonneville Salt Flats, and breaking records, and the SM-amino.

Many gratuitous shots of the Citroen SM.

This DS convertible came out of the Citroen factory and is not one of Chapron's creations.  The convertibles that came out of the factory are based on the longer DS Safari wagon, not the shorter DS sedan.

Close up of leather seat.

Where the leather seat meets the convertible top.

This is the convertible's turn indicator, which is situated just behind the convertible top.

California sun.

Beautiful rear end.

Another DS on deck.

This DS23 was restored in Holland.  What's up with the Dutch obsession with Citroens?

DS, XM, SM.

DS door.

DS gauges.

Up.

I will conclude the tour with my favorite, this XM.  It was first sold in Japan and was barely driven.

Citroen XM logo.

The first thing I noticed when I stepped into this XM was how cold it was inside.  I've always contended that American cars excelled in the HVAC category.  The XM's AC system is up there too.  Plus, it's whisper quiet.

Citroen XM center console.

Citroen XM door.

The end (of Part 2).

Super French (Citroen Renault) car collection (Part 1 of 3)

Click here for Part 2.
Click here for Part 3.

In my writing, I am guilty of hyperbole.  But as I try my best to summarize my day today, I can truthfully say that it was mind blowing.  I am still on a high.  And, I still smell like old French cars.

Most of you are probably Bring A Trailer addicts.  No doubt on Tuesday, you salivated over the French foursome that were featured.  In the pictures, you could see other cars in the background.  A Citroen XM here, multiple DSs there.  I had to contact the owner, Ron, to find out more.

Ron gave me more.  A lot more.  He invited me over today to check out his collection.  I will divide this visit into three parts.  Part 1 will cover the cars he has stored in a warehouse.  Part 2 will cover the cars he has in a separate garage.  Part 3 will be a sit-down interview with Ron.

Before I begin with the virtual tour, I want to make a few points.  First, the pictures I took do not do these cars any justice.  They are infinitely more beautiful in person and I wish I could capture and share with you the tactile feelings and the smells.  They are otherworldly.

Second, I approached these cars very differently than I usually do with cars at shows.  That's because I rarely, if ever, get to sit inside these cool cars.  I'm proficient with and am used to taking different shots of the cars' exteriors.  But I wanted to focus on the cars' interiors this time.  I want to show you why these cars are so unique and ahead of their times.

Finally, I want to thank Ron for his generosity-- with his time, with his insight, and with his cars.  Thanks, Ron!

All right, let's get down to business.

The collection currently consists of:

• three Renault R16s (1966, '76, '78), 
• two Citroen SMs (both from 1972, one with Euro headlights, one with American lights), 
• a 1996 Citroen XM from Japan with around 9,000 km,
• four Citroen DSs (including a 1968 DS21 factory convertible),
• a 1973 GS wagon,
• a 1979 RHD Citroen CX Pallas,
• a 1985 Citroen BX,
• a 1968 Simca 1100, and 
• a 1989 Peugeot 405 Mi16.  

This is one of three R16s in the collection and Ron's sentimental favorite.  It belonged to a French farmer who meticulously maintained it.  He hand wrote (in French, of course) every maintenance and repair job performed.  The yellowed and dog-eared papers are priceless and an integral part of the car.

Incidentally, this blue 1978 R16 is the upscale TX model.  The interior was simple and immaculate.

 Just look at that seat!

Through the looking glass.

Straightforward Jaeger gauges.

Check out the headliner.  It looks brand new.

This DS21 was the genesis of Ron's collection.

Obligatory chevron shot.

Bertoli's trumpet.

Apparently, a lot of DS owners installed trailer hitches to prevent damage to the rear bumper.

DS21 steering wheel and dash gauges.

Yes, those seats are comfortable.  In fact, the back seat was both pillowy yet firm.  The seat back can best be described as buttery, in a good way.  I felt like General de Gaulle back there.

Close up shot of leather seat stitching.

Another shot from the DS's back seat.

Completely flat floor.

This RHD CX Pallas did diplomatic duty in Great Britain.  It's got about 37,000 miles.

I wonder how much Total paid Citroen to put these stickers on.

This picture demonstrates the rear seat leg room of the CX.  I am 6' and there was plenty of room to stretch.

Though the back seat area of the CX was palatial, there's just no comparison with the DS's intimate and clubby back seat area.

Smokers of the world, unite.  On both rear doors of the CX, you have these cigarette lighter/window switch combos.

Between the front seats are the e-brake lever and the lever for adjusting ride height.

3 forward speed Citromatic transmission.

CX dash.

CX left instrument pod.

CX right instrument pod.