There isn't many other things that make you feel more connected to a stranger while driving than seeing someone in the same car as you, especially when that automobile is as historic and unique as the French made Citroen.
There isn't any statistics to prove it- but our day at Watson Lake could be the largest gathering of Citroen owners in the state of Colorado. Even more special was the connection to family, and delectable desserts and baguettes from La Creperie to tie the whole experience together.
So what makes this classic car so special? founded in 1919 by the French industrialist André-GustaveCitroën, the original model was created to transport delicate eggs from the farmer into town. After World War || the firm established its reputation for innovative technology with the Traction Avant.[4] This was the world's first car to be mass-produced with front-wheel drive, four-wheel independent suspension, as well as unibody construction, omitting a separate chassis, and instead using the body of the car itself as its main load-bearing structure.[5]
In 1954 they produced the world's first hydropneumatic self-levelling suspension system then, in 1955, the revolutionary DS, the first mass-produced car with modern disc brakes and, in 1967, they introduced in several of their models swiveling headlights that allowed for greater visibility on winding roads; these cars have received various national and international awards, including three European Car of the Year.
Mr Citroën was a keen marketer: he used the Eiffel Tower as the world's largest advertising sign, as recorded in Guinness World Records.[11] He also sponsored expeditions in Asia (Croisière Jaune), North America (Croisière Blanche) and Africa (Croisière Noire), demonstrating the potential for motor vehicles equipped with the Kégresse track system to cross inhospitable regions. These expeditions conveyed scientists and journalists.
Demonstrating extraordinary toughness, a 1923 Citroën that had already travelled 48,000 km (30,000 mi) was the first car to be driven around Australia. The car, a 1923 Citroën 5CV Type C Torpedo, was driven by Neville Westwood from Perth, Western Australia, on a round trip from August to December 1925. This vehicle is now fully restored and in the collection of the National Museum of Australia.
In 2020, there isn't a better place to repair the old but mighty machinery than Axe and Allies. Not only are they the team to bring all of these historic car owners together, but they are also responsible for keeping these vehicles moving. Specializing in European sports cars built in the 1930's- 1970's, an era when it wasn't about the destination but excitement for the drive, excellence in design, stunning aesthetics, handling, craftsmanship and raw horsepower.
Owned and operated by Ted, Shawn & Bo, Axe and Allies has a long history with repairing classic cars.
With a boundless sense of humor and love hate relationship for all thing British, Ted has had his head under one bonnet or another since 1980. He tricked out his first car in high school, a 1967 Sunbeam Alpine with three European rotating licence plates, hidden control panel in the dash, tail trim which unfolds to reveal toy machine gun extruding from rear lights and a converted Toyota twin cam engine.
Putting in over two decades professional experience, Ted previously wrenched for Sports Car Craftsman and Scotland Yard before opening his own shop. Having the opportunity to work on a wide range of European sports cars is a particular delight.
Shawn came into the car world at an early age as well, getting dragged along to shows and races with her mom and step dad. Family trips to Europe were Jaguar parts finding missions highlighted by visits to the iconic race tracks on the Isle of Man, Silverstone and Nurburgring. Like all kids who rebel against their parents, Shawn embraced the dark side and drove Citroens instead.
Bo is decidedly “not a car guy”, but great with book work, business planning and keeping his partners out of trouble.
In 2012, Citroën announced plans to enter the World Touring Car Championship. The team transformed a DS3 WRC into a laboratory vehicle to help with early development, while the engine was an evolution of their WRC engine which had been used in the WRC since 2011.Citroën started developing the car for the new TC1 regulations, which were brought forward a year early in 2014 to expedite the entry of Citroën into the championship.
The introduction of the new regulations a year earlier than planned gave a seven month development headstart to Citroën over the other manufacturers. This large development advantage combined with a big budget and a strong driver line-up made Citroën the clear favorite going into the first season of the new regulations in 2014. Citroën would go on to win most of the races that season as well as the manufacturers' title, while José María López won the drivers' title. The team would repeat this feat in 2015 and 2016, before the factory team left the series at the end of 2016. A number of Citroëns were still raced by other teams in 2017, but were outpaced by the Hondas and the Volvos. I don't know about you but we think 2021 may be Citroen's year.