Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2007/07/03

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Subject: [Leica] Old Cars and Great Monochrome Shots
From: leica at screengang.com (Didier Ludwig)
Date: Tue Jul 3 02:47:25 2007
References: <009501c7bb6b$a98db640$0202a8c0@MacPhisto> <000c01c7bb64$a96dfd70$fc49f850$@net>

Found this post now only. Nice pics from Mark. I guess it was not him 
cropping the wheel away?

I owned a aubergine-black, bordeaux-leathered 1973 Citroen D-Super-5 
(2300ccm, 5 speeds, 145hp) for more than 10 years and I could tell a lot 
about these cars. But let's keep it short:

The plus side was:

- exclusive and aerodynamic car design for (then) low budget
- outstanding technical concept with unique dashboard ergonomy, hydraulic 
suspension (but ok for front passengers only), movable front lights
- many well thought details (like special hinge screws for adjusting the 
rear lid)

The minus side was:

- "french" built quality (pardon, mes amis ;-)
- rusting issue
- sea sickness issue for back seat passengers (keep barf bags handy)
- many not so well thought details (like completely rusted and stuck special 
hinge screws for adjusting the rear lid)

When I sold it in 1994, I got the double price as when I had bought it 
(though you could throw out cigarettes through rusted holes in the base 
plate). In this time most of these models went out of traffic and some spare 
parts became very sought after. I gave it up because my then girlfriend (now 
wife) complained about I would spend all weekends tinkering the car... But 
those who really like to tinker should try a Citroen SM with Maserati 
engine! That's a threat!

There's a swiss DS specialist, http://citroenrestaurationen.ch/ (which is 
also very reputed in France and other european countries), which offers to 
rebuilt and customize old models, with hot zinc galvanized chassis and 
parts, completely restored engine with catalyzer, plastic body, new leather 
interior and so on. I've seen some of them, they're better than when they 
were new. Because they'll never rust again, are lighter, consume less fuel 
and produce less carbon monoxide. 

Didier



>In today's online New York Times, some terrific shots by Mark Rabiner of a
>'67 Citroen DS sedan.
>
>http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/01/automobiles/collectibles/01EGO.html
>
>Vive le champignon--and the citromatic transmission!
>
>Jim Shulman
>Bryn Mawr, PA




Replies: Reply from wrs111445 at yahoo.com (Bill Smith) ([Leica] Old Cars and Great Monochrome Shots)
In reply to: Message from leicachris at worldnet.att.net (Christopher Williams) ([Leica] Censorship on the Lug Contest)
Message from jshul at comcast.net (Jim Shulman) ([Leica] Old Cars and Great Monochrome Shots)