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Showing posts with label Cars- Citroen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cars- Citroen. Show all posts
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
Sunday, August 15, 2010
2010 Concours d'LeMons' photos
I went to the second annual Concours d'Lemons yesterday. It felt like there were the same number of cars as the first year, but there was definitely more energy and the cars were more lemon-y (in a good way). My only complaint-- we need more food vendor choices please. Without further ado, here are my favorite cars:
We must start with a Renault Le Car, of course. I wish the $2,800 example I found on Craigslist recently was in this condition.
This Citroen Ami 8 Break was in better-than-new condition.
Here is a rougher rear-engined Renault 1100.
This Flxible bus was a pleasant surprise.
Reliant Robin.
Reliant Robin fiberglass.
Citroen Mehari.
Trabant. License plate reads "WAL GONE".
1948 David Divan. Notice rare four door VW van truck in the background.
Chrysler minivan prototype: The mother of all minivans.
We must start with a Renault Le Car, of course. I wish the $2,800 example I found on Craigslist recently was in this condition.
This Citroen Ami 8 Break was in better-than-new condition.
Here is a rougher rear-engined Renault 1100.
This Flxible bus was a pleasant surprise.
Reliant Robin.
Reliant Robin fiberglass.
Citroen Mehari.
Trabant. License plate reads "WAL GONE".
1948 David Divan. Notice rare four door VW van truck in the background.
Chrysler minivan prototype: The mother of all minivans.
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
My Citroen ID19 Repair Manual
I went to Powells in Portland, Oregon, last week and had a ball. First, be advised that the automotive section has moved from the main store to the Powell's Technical branch a couple of blocks away at 33 NW Park Avenue.
The selection is even more fantastic than I remembered from my last trip. Books dedicated solely to the history of Intermeccanica, the development of the Alfa Romeo Montreal, and maintenance of your Ford Pinto can be found. I didn't go hog wild so I ended up with just two books.
The first is Analysing Formula 1. The author put together a lot of interesting and unusual stats, such as number of races before a driver achieves his first win versus the number of races between that driver's last win and his last race before retirement (Jacque Villeneuve "wins" with 132 winless races).
But the crown jewel is this Citroen ID19 Repair Manual. I really dig it, even though I'll never own an ID19.
Here is the cover. It's made out of some sort of 1960s vinyl/plastic material. It does not appear that it was ever used.
You open the manual up and it comes in two halves. The top half contains diagrams; the bottom half contains detailed written instructions.
See?
Table of contents for the diagram section.
Table of contents for the instruction section. The paper is kinda thin, like wax paper. I don't think it would have held up well after years of use.
The selection is even more fantastic than I remembered from my last trip. Books dedicated solely to the history of Intermeccanica, the development of the Alfa Romeo Montreal, and maintenance of your Ford Pinto can be found. I didn't go hog wild so I ended up with just two books.
The first is Analysing Formula 1. The author put together a lot of interesting and unusual stats, such as number of races before a driver achieves his first win versus the number of races between that driver's last win and his last race before retirement (Jacque Villeneuve "wins" with 132 winless races).
But the crown jewel is this Citroen ID19 Repair Manual. I really dig it, even though I'll never own an ID19.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Citroen XM, the Berlin Wall, and Red Square
In 1990, two Dutchmen (who else?) drove a Citroen XM from Paris to Moscow and back. There are incredible images of old French and Soviet-era cars, the crumbling Berlin Wall, and Warsaw Pact roads before they became clogged with third-hand Audis. And is it just me, or were the XM's tires under inflated?
Monday, July 19, 2010
Citroen XM advert filmed on Bay Bridge and in San Francisco
Based on that headline in USA Today, I had just successfully ended my week-long hunger strike in support of the Haitian refugees stuck in Guantanamo Bay. Oh, the memories.
Saturday, July 17, 2010
SM: Citroen's Maserati-Engined Supercar
Here are some excerpts from my book. A lot of it can be found in Google Books. It's a great book.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Sunday, June 13, 2010
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!
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.
Click here for Part 3.
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).
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