Voitures Anciennes

[RobertArthur]

@ Curtis: impeccable! Showroom condition! Your TR-3A brings heaven, sweet sounds and adventure down to earth.

[RobertArthur]

Tour Auto 2026 arrivées au Grand Palais, Paris. Included the sounds of more than one Porsche 911. Missing there: this nice Bentley coupé.

[RobertArthur]

A 'Trabi' that almost looks as if it’s floating in the air, on display at an exhibition on the cultural and industrial heritage of East Germany, officially the German Democratic Republic (GDR). In German the DDR, the Deutsche Demokratische Republik. Politically correct language in West Germany: you were supposed to speak about the 'sogenannte' (so-called) DDR.

[RobertArthur]

To the other side of the Iron Curtain, to the magazine 'Autobild' with an advert about a classic car 'Made in West Germany', in Rüsselsheim to be more precise. An Opel ‘Baby Corvette’: this 1969 Opel GT has just passed its MOT and proves that 90 hp is more than enough for a car weighing 940 kg. It takes the 1.9-litre four-cylinder engine 11.5 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h, and the top speed is 185 km/h. With about 83,500 km it still looks in good shape. Asking price: € 39,990. About the history of these Opel GTs.

[Hotrodder]

I recall seeing these in California when they arrived. Instantly reminded me of the Corvettes. Some of the design queues hinted at the GM lineage.

[RobertArthur]

Hardly anyone remembers the Citroën SM anymore – it was not a success, not at all, only 12,920 produced. Shrinking a V8 Maserati engine to a V6 was a bridge too far. Yet the car received a lot of publicity in the Netherlands thanks to Johan Cruyff. His car faded from view, but is now being cherished once again. Cruijff moved to Barcelona in 1973 with a new one, leaving his first Citroën SM behind. After several other owners it finally was gathering dust in a corner of a garage in Groningen. And now finally a new start in The Hague / Wassenaar. Cruijff’s car will be on display at the Louwman Museum from Ascension Day. Incidentally, the exhibition is only on for a short time, until 25 May this year, so anyone interested should hurry. The car is the centrepiece of an exhibition marking the 55th anniversary of Citroën's former flagship model. Another interesting model is the Citroën SM Présidentielle, the extended four-door convertible in which the then French President Pompidou liked to be driven around in good company. Queen Elizabeth II conducted a historic five-day state visit to France from May 15 to 19, 1972. Britain prepared to enter the Common Market...

Pictured below: the arrival of the first Citroën SM in the low lands, Amsterdam, Sumatrakade, in February 1971, ready to be presented to the public at the Passenger Car Show (AutoRAI).

[Hotrodder]

I recall seeing one in the boatyard where I was building in the 90s. Very special looking. I thought it was a natural progression of the DS21 styling theme, if maybe a little too large for the European market. I must admit to thinking that Citroen have always been too weird looking but have grown to see the appeal of the old DS and 2cv. I wouldn't choose to own a more modern Citroen because of their complicated suspension systems.