I remember admiring one (a real one!) with my father back in the 70s. It had a sort of aquamarine colour with pale beige interior, green tinted glass, a rear window blind I think and looked stunning. My father was an engineer and had the greatest respect and appreciation for Citroens in particular although we never owned one.
It’s amazing how one memory triggers others.
One of the benefits of growing up on the Essex Riviera was that a number of people were (still are) car mad. Along that same stretch of road in Westcliff on Sea he and I would some time later see a Maserati Bora (bright red) and a short distance away, I saw a maroon Khamsin - the only time I ever saw one in the wild. He and I also once saw a Lagonda Mk1 saloon, essentially a 4-door version of the original DBS. This is before the wedge-shaped one. Six or seven were made and pre internet, nobody believed me that such a thing existed.
Changing transport modes, listening to “Trans Europe Express” put me in mind of another piece of iconic French design from roughly the same time as the SM. I do have a photo somewhere from my first trip to Paris, when I sought one of these out at the Gare d’Austerlitz back in the day. Now, I think I’d have to go to a museum to see one.
Hi Steve, unfortunately due to circumstances out of my control, I have to attend work tomorrow morning. What’s the next show you will be out n about with Rectory Farm Sidings again please.
I can’t take the credit, sadly. This looks to have been taken in the Cité du Train museum in Mulhouse, which is on my bucket list and I shall endeavour to take a similar one when I go.
My own picture is MIA somewhere, featuring a CC6500 spattered in bugs, but the heat pouring off it and the loud whirring noises I remember are not evident from the still photo.
The Musée Nationale de L’Automobile is also in Mulhouse and also on the list, not least for the Bugatti Royale they have.
Cheers Steve, thats added to the diary, I’m looking forward to seeing the layout in the flesh, and having a chat, my next show will probably Wakefield in October.
Thunderbirds, Red Arrows and Snowbirds one after the other. Throw in a spitfire, Hurricane and mustang for good measure. Excellent show yesterday despite the weather.
Across the river. Gatineau. A hidden gem of an airport with a superb private collection on site. The collection was offered free to Ottawa but they declined! Beggars belief.
Thunderbirds were loud. Arrows sublime. Snowbirds delightful but slow!
Pleasant surprise was excellent organization and very reasonable prices.
A400 Atlas now on his 10th identical circuit over us this afternoon, must be very boring. Quite a low altitude, guessing at 4,000ft
Took off from Brize, few up to Ayr for a couple of circuits and now drawing patterns over Worcs and Glos. Presumably training.
Staying in a small hotel near Reims and parked my car in a covered area close to reception. Five minutes later these three arrived in convoy. Felt a little bit inadequate.
Nice.
Reminds me of an evening I went to a posh restaurant locally. Turned up in our shopping trolley BMW 1 Series washed, polished and shiny. Just as we get out of the car about 20 journo’s turned up all in brand new top of the range BMW’s. Seemed BMW were hosting a few days of road tests. Chateau hotel attached to the restaurant was booked at 3k per room per night.
The meal and service were perfect though.
