Bread. Cheese. Flamboyant clothing. Philosophy. Vineyards. Wine. The Citroën DS. If it sounds like I’m describing the average Boursin advert, you’d be forgiven for thinking so. After all, everything I’ve listed above is stereotypically French, and the combination of them all as per the photographs is one of the most comprehensive suggestions of Francophilia it’s possible to make, yes?
Mais non. Because I’m in the English Midlands, not the Ardennes. And the car I’m driving was made in Berkshire. This scene is therefore as English as fish and chips on Whitby seafront, while a beefeater waving a St George Flag whistles God Save The Queen.
57EKX is a Slough-built Citroën ID19 – markedly different inside and out from the equivalent car produced in Paris. A redesigned front number plate plinth, Citroën badge to the bonnet, conventional parking brake and Lucas rear lights were obvious changes, but it was to the lower-spec ID model that Citroën made the greatest changes. In France, this was a pared-down DS, but in Britain its pricing put it alongside Humbers and Rovers and thus the trim had to reflect that.
The Slough ID therefore got DS hubcaps, leather seats, and a somewhat incongruous wooden dash in the style of the previous Slough Tractions. And this very overt British take on the theme is why my classic road test of a DS is technically not in a DS – but in the ID which shared its shell and elements of its drivetrain. I want my experience not to be French…
This story is from the January 2020 edition of Classic Car Mart.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 2020 edition of Classic Car Mart.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
3D Technology To Preserve Classics?
Traditionally, the unavailability of a critical component has had major repercussions for owners of historic vehicles, putting the brakes on a restoration project or even forcing a historic vehicle off the road.
NICHE WORK
A crossover model before the term had even been invented, the original Range Rover could well be the perfect multi-purpose classic.
Solid State
Although a well-preserved Volvo 120 Series ‘Amazon’ makes a good choice as an occasional everyday classic driver, the range can be confusing. We play the numbers game and reveal some of the Amazon’s main foibles.
Round-Up - 1990s Jaguars
Following Ford’s acquisition of an independent Jaguar in 1989, the Coventry-based luxury car maker underwent a transformation that led to the introduction of a range of capable models that today are reasonably affordable as well as being fun to own and drive.
Tailgate Revolving Doors
Paul Guinness looks back at his experiences from 35 years ago, when he helped to arrange a club stand at the first-ever Classic Motor Show at Birmingham’s NEC
Database: Rover P6 (1963-1977)
We chart the life and times of the advanced P6 which was a real high point for Rover and created a whole new market sector.
SAFETY FIRSTS
We run through some of the milestones in automotive safety which helped create today’s super safe modern cars.
ROUND-UP PRACTICAL ITALIAN CLASSICS
Hidden among the blue-chip exotics you can find a surprisingly interesting selection of practical classic Italian machinery that’s cheap to buy and fun to own.
Compact Prestige
From the badge-engineered duo launched by BMC in 1957, it was the twin-carb Riley that most appealed to keen drivers. We get behind the wheel of a sturdy survivor.
The Only Way Is Essex
Two ’70s coupes both powered by the same brawny V6 engine but very different in character. We try to choose between Reliant and Ford.
