A fun day in Michael's DS23 and '54 Sunbeam Alpine

1956 Humber Hawk - Sunbeam Talbot - 1956 Sunbeam Alpine - - 1974 DS23 5 speed Pallas

1956 Humber Hawk, 1950 Big 6, 1956 Big15 - 2011

Michael with Big 6 - - Marong 2011

Michael & Hans Paas
Nice and roomy in the Big six

Michael talking Big 6 - - Marong 2011

End of Day Michael, Hans & Janet Marong 2011

At Maxim Motors Brisbane with Lance's first traction
in the background
The same Big 15 just prior to being sold in 1968

1948 Slough Light 15

Janet and her Mum

Big 15 at Steeley's place

1967 DS21M manual 4 speed.

ACQUIRED FROM IAN STEELE AS "THE PHANTOM" IN 1991.

As the rust was too bad to repair I have, with help from sons Murray and Oliver,
Janet and brother Michael, swapped the parts onto the shell of a doner car - - 1967 ID19B.

The '67 DS21 was owned by a teacher whose students were asked "to do a Phantom" on her.

I had seen the car parked at night in the main street of Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast
probably in the late 80's as shown below and looked in awe.

A 1967 DS21 was considered highly in those days and when I was able to puchase her,
already having the Phantom artwork painted over, I naievely thought I'd "do 'er up" and away I'd go,
- - - - not realizing that it wouldn't be till 18 odd years later to realize my dream.
In between, ofcourse, I owned a number of Citroens who were all wonderful in their own way,
while I battled, with Janet and the boys, to run our restoration shop
- - and try to lead as close to a normal life as possible.

 

Photos below taken as "The Phantom" approx late 1980's

BOB & MANDY JAMES'S SONS ?? - 1980's ?

LOOKS LIKE THE LADS AT GAYNDAH - 1980's ?

Phantom at Bastille Day under Story Bridge mid '91

winning the " ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD " ha ha.

Murray & I

Phantom at Bastille Day under Story Bridge mid '91

In front of shop (Victorian Living)
Phantom behind '74 Transit - (2005 ?)

Assembling front after cleanup
June 2008

JULY 2009

Murray & I with our 1st "D"

Approx. 1981 - -My 1st D, a 1971 Special.
I nearly bought a "roundie" diesel Mercedes about 1959 as I'd ridden in one as a boy. After a drive I was disappointed as it drove like a truck, probably not helped by being a diesel.

I then decided to take the "mad plunge" and buy the type of Citroen that I had grown up to love as my Dutch mother would always point them out when seeing one and say Citroe'n - - with a sigh, probably bringing her home for that small moment.

Towed her gently out with the old Landrover. He put 'er into 2nd and started 'er down the gentle slope in gear. Drove a bit - -
put the clutch in and braked and the clutch - - UNSTUCK.
Michael was smiling. Took 'er down the road and back 'an she looked a treat - -
all dusty - - even with one guard off - - "She's a beauty".
He remenisced about what a wonderful car she's been and maybe the only D to do the Gunbarrel Highwayway out Kimberley way.

The Head got hot towing a load about 3 years ago and after Michael had it cleaned up, the 23 -5 speed Pallas sat in the shed, next to the grey Fergi tractor for about 3 years and Michael sometimes wondered whether he'd ever get
it back together, after moving 1200 miles away and us buying the old farm. - -
So it was pure joy.

Yesterday, Janet and I took her mother for a day drive 100 mile & back to see the restumping progress on the old farm as the white ants had been chewing away
at it for years. The '68 Safari cruised as usual but to see the 5 speed slip away made adrenelin run as it has many times before - - - dealing with these wonderful cars.
Stopped "for a latte" to see the circus in Noosa and cruised home.

John

 

BROTHER MICHAEL'S

1974 DS 23 - 5 Speed (carbi)

Michael's been in the process of refitting the head.

Finally back on the road Oct 2009

- - - - -

Brother Michael just got his 23 5 Speed going. He is leaving with yet another heap 'o junk + his '63 Landrover on a tandem behind Paula's Discovery for the 1000 mile trip. He is so excited he wonders where the traction lot are as he could'a got a lift back up to Queensland after 3 days journey down. He wants to drive the DS 23 down soon.

So if the traction lot have slowed up or something or someone can give Michael a lift from Victoria to Brisbane Gympie area let me know.

I put this on the DS site the other day as I helped Michael get the old girl out.
And don't take any notice of Gilbert Henry. Another wayward brother from the back o' Burke, he dives into my computer when he comes into "the big smoke".

Janet's '74 DS23 Automatic Pallas "town car"
metallic green

This is our most used car. Janet's parents,
in their old age find the comfort exceptional.

As it is 1968 it has the ID19B type gearbox
with the high 4th gear being very economical.

1968 Safari (2007)
Cruisin' - - BIG BANANA Coffs Harbour NSW

Loaded - - June 2008

Used for the 100 mile trip to
Traveston (just south of Gympie) to escape the city.

A great old Studebaker taxi at
Horopito wreckers New Zealand 1998 & Janet

Much of New Zealand's history here.
Horopito wreckers New Zealand 1998

Wrecking an English '63-'64 ID19 at
Horopito wreckers New Zealand 1998
Michael left & John

This early pink English ID19 has weathered many
storms including snow in this high region in the
cenrtal north island of NEW ZEALAND.

Bill Buntings place Old DS's before going to Bob Dircks

Bill Buntings place Old DS's

Bill Buntings place Old DS's

Bill Buntings place Old DS's

Early photo of Continental Cars Sydney

'56 DS 19 Eng. No. 280

This has the early "horizontal" speedo.

Hi, John Paas here.(written some time ago) '56 DS 19 Eng. No. 280

The Cit-in (Australia) has been held at Easter since the late '70's I think and is held in a different state each year.
As there are not many states it comes round to each one about every 5 or six years.
My favourite time has to be the Maleny Queensland Cit-in about 4 years ago when brother Michael brought his 1956 DS19 (English No.280) on a trailer as show only. I chamoised the paintwork the following morning as most were still asleep and suggested (told) Michael I would drive her on the 80 mile round trip scheduled that day, stopping at a country town for lunch at midday. Gilbert Henry would describe this better than I but it was a corker of a day.
After only 5 or so miles the muffler fell off leaving the tail pipe dragging on the gravel (dirt) road.
Stopped the old girl and wired up the tail pipe ready to resume our country drive .
We had a full tool kit, spanners etc as we usually do.
'Ow you'd ever put 'an old bomb like that on the road was beyond me mate, - bits fallin' off all over the place, well anyhow's we wired up what was left o'the rusty tail pipe an' there we are, your missus in 'er nice an' shiny '74 Pallas an what'd you do but take off in the ol' bomb. Well any how's we put all the tools an' garbage back inte the boot an' away we went.
Lo an' behold we break down again an' went straight inte a paddick te get the hell off the road. S'pose te get the hell outa' site o' the coppers. Well if we wasn't in fer the long haul that time. Ye said she coffed an'spluuttered an' then stopped. Shoulda' jus' kept goin' straight inta the dam down the bottom o' the paddick.
Well if every Tom Dick an' 'arry didn't turn up outa the blue. There was Griesy from Melbourne an' what 'e don't know about DS19's ain't worth knowin' an' that joker from the back o' Burke Bob Perks or somethin' or other an' Steeley from up the road who can make a carbi out o' an old rusty jam tin an' who else, well Michael who owns the old crate an' you tryin' te drive the old crate an well there we all were in this dusty bloody paddick thinkin', ---- an thinkin'.
Oh yeah that ol' cove from Bendigo Roger Williamson or somethin' or other drivin' an ol' beat up '62 ID.
Anyhows it ended up te be the carbi. Somethin' about Michael havin' put the float upside down eons before an' always wonderin' why petrol was always choofin' off all over the fuckin' place mind the language but what a fuck awful day that was.
Anyhows it broke down one more time that day but I mus' say fer all the carry-on an' swearin' an' cursin' that ol' bomb o' Michaels has been the sweetest car te drive ever since the sweet ol' girl that lovely dream machine I mus' say we'll 'ave te get 'er out again an' be nice to 'er

Come te think of it mate, they were good times that Cit-in, ridin' an' fixin' an' laughin' an' jokin' an' fixin', yeah was a right ol' laugh really,when ye think of it - - that day.
Gilbert Henry.

'56 DS 19 . No. 280 Now Sold to Andrew.
Michael (in front) & John Paas (Feb. 1998)
Loading up for the voyage from Hamilton NZ to Brisbane

Michael Paas above and John's C35 work van,
being the only van in Australia.
Bob Dircks has the only other C35 being a "ute".

Very early number 148 Slough DS19.

only parts left including Chassis plate.

1956 DS 19 . No. 148

Pulled out of the shed where it sat for many years after doing a very low mileage.

Son Oliver here and right with a year or 2 inbetween

About to go into the container at Brian Doohan's place in Hastings NZ.

Phil Jones's workshop in Auckland NZ.
Getting cars left & right ready for freight to Aus.

IN HINDSIGHT - - -

Would we do things differently if we had the chance ???

It is mainly for want of money but yes, I would have a go. My dream in hindsight would be - -
to be able to keep the cars in one piece and put them in a kind of "D". museum.
The cars such as below were a part of our Citroen past and to have wrecked such icons deprives us
of this wonderful history.
Rusted badly, I didn't have much option other than - - if I would have had the means, and money, it could have been different.

In the 1970's I lived as caretaker for a while in Walter Ireland's wrecker's yard at Albany Creek having a few hundred cars going back to the 20's. I would go with Walter in his '30's Ford tow truck and help him attach the chains
to more old cars to "take home" - - I loved it.

The last place I experienced the same kind of "aura" was at Horopito, New Zealand.

So we all go through in our funny little ways, having our passions and enjoying the memories.

***

St George QLD maybe mid '90's
on our way to Lightning Ridge.

St George QLD
Showing the locals some tricks

' 72 DS21 injected Hydraulique

Sold recently for a total restoration. 2007

Down Cessnock way. Early 80's maybe.
Tow car - - - my DS21 injected Hydraulique

 

A black leather '68 Pallas that ferried
the boys to school etc for about 5 years in the 1980's.
A very good car.

'72 Safari. Workhorse for our "Bloomsbury antiques for some time.

I DENTED THE ROOF of this car by carrying a big load of timber. ( about 1986 )

Alec Lowe from Chevron Motors & Lance, left.

Both worked at Maxim Motors
(owned & run by JIM REDDIEX for many years)
around the 1960's and '70's
WHEN IT WAS ALL HAPPENING
and the London to Sydney race was won by
Jim Reddiex and team.
Ian Steele of Just Cits at Maleny also worked there and was involved in the London - Sydney

Lance & son of original team member

Under the Story Bridge Brisbane
Around mid 1990's

 

 

From bottom 9 grey white roof was John Paas -
Aust '61 ID19
Now in Scotland

From bottom 8 aqua white roof was Tom Eyears-
to John Paas to Donat to Sydney ??
'62ID19

From bottom 7 bronze white roof to Roger Wilkinson
- '64 DS19

From bottom 6 cream blue roof now Roger Wilkinson
- '59 DS19

Bastille Day Brisbane approx 1993

1959 DS19 (John Paas)
from Warrnanbool, Victoria
now owned by Roger Wilkinson, Bendigo Victoria

1967 DS21 (John Paas) movie Goddess of '67
from Albany, Western Australia
now in Melbourne

1962 ID19 (Michael Paas) went to Bathurst area

1966 DS21 (John Paas) from Auckland New Zealand
now in Castlemaine Victoria

1962 ID19 (Tom & Elaine Eyears)
Went to John Paas then Donat now Sydney

1963 DS19 from New Zealand
sold to Victoria
This has the LARGE teardrop driving lights.

1963 DS19 (Michael Paas) 1998
Cruisin' New Zealand before coming to Aus.

1963 DS19 (John Paas) 1998
High country, cental north island (near Horopito)
Cruisin' New Zealand before coming to Aus.

BASTILLE DAY around 2000

"Goldie Girl" from Rex Carkeek New Zealand
1966 ID19 Confort from New Zealand 1994
ex-embassy car
Cruisin' New Zealand before coming to Aus.
Michael and daughter Claire.

"Goldie Girl"
1966 ID19 Confort from New Zealand Jan. '95
ex-embassy car
On the beach, Invercargill
Southern tip South Island
A trip by John. Janet & Oliver

"Goldie Girl" from Rex Carkeek New Zealand
1966 ID19 Confort from New Zealand 1994

A Confort is up from a normal ID having
the DS19 motor.

This particular Citroen was originally black and was owned and used by the French Embassy in New Zealand having 2 French flags flying where the mirrors are now mounted on the front guards.

This car, now owned by Richard in Tasmania was bought from Rex Carkeek and kept in NZ at Rex's place at Palmerston North in John's name. The Paas families went over a number of times with the kids to enjoy the wonderful sites that NZ has to offer.

pictures Apr.'94

John Michael Oliver Claire

Burnt remains of Big 15 or 6
English (I think) Traction
On right of chimney buried by shifting sands
Engine caught fire. A Casualty of the
Red-Ex Trial of about 1954

Below is photo of Citroen Big 15 or 6 now buried in dunes at Eucla
From Modern Motor magazine April 1955

Caption :- Gutted body of O'shea's Citroen burnt out in last Redex trial

"On the Nullarbor" Claire, Michael, Oliver
The Goddess of '67 crossing Australia.Apr.'94

Used later in "The Goddess of '67" movie
Crossing the Nullarbor Plains
Michael, Oliver and me (John)
Australia.April 1994
Looking over the Great Australian Bight

"On the Nullarbor"
The Goddess of '67 crossing Australia.Apr.'94

The Goddess of '67 complete with lights

"On the Nullarbor"
The Goddess of '67 crossing Australia.Apr.'94

Maybe round 1997

Australian movie

The Goddess of 1967
director: Clara Law
country: Australia
release: 2000
rated: 4/5
The Goddess of 1967
cast: Rose Byrne
Rikiya Kurokawa
Nicholas Hope
Elise McCredie

The Goddess of 1967 is Hong Kong director Clara Law's second Australian feature after Floating Life (1996). Goddess is a cryptic mosaic of a film about love, fear and redemption and it is a distinctly existential movie experience which gathers powerful momentum in every scene. Given its unique qualities, global identity, emotional power, transmuted aesthetics and confident command of film language, perhaps it's not too bold to suggest that The Goddess of 1967 is a film which, especially in 2001, Australians should be proud to call their own.

Two Hands' Rose Byrne and Japanese model Rikiya Kurokawa are aliens in an alien landscape in Goddess. Their characters "BG" and "JM" are brought together by fate and the sale of a highly sought after collectible, a faded pink '67 Citroen DS. This car forms the third enigmatic member of an enigmatic cast; they're bound for the duration to travel together through time, space and the Australian outback.

The best road movies move through not only outer places and spaces but internal states aswell. The Goddess of 1967 does just that - it powerfully mines the memories and vulnerabilities of both its frail human leads. Like its steely star - the Citroen DS - The Goddess of 1967 is a beautifully designed film which, once committed it, you hope will take you anywhere.

4 stars

One resides in Sydney
owned by Justin

The other resides in Melbourne
owned by Hugo

1974 DS23 5 speed injected towing '59 DS19
1400 odd miles from Warrnanbool Vict. To Brisbane Qld

Later on we heard a loud scraping noise as we were climbing a long hill near Coonabarabran 500 miles
or so from home and pulled over the best we could
(similar to the pic of towing other DS19 look down).

We hopped out to see the wheel trying to
wind it's way outwards and pushing the guard with it.
The nut (in the boot area) holding the rear left swinging
arm had come off. As The whole assembly was coming out and the swinging arm bearing was disintegrating with the balls falling into the boot.
It took Michael and I about an hour to fashion a windscreen wiper motor plate (which we found amongst a pile of parts in the boot) into a large large washer to hold the bearing together for the rest of the trip home.

Last adjustments

I bought this car from south of LA (USA),
I think San Diego sight unseen in about 1993 .

A friend was shipping some cars to Perth,
Western Australia. I registered it in my name
at my father's address.
Janet and I had just flown in from New Zealand
where we had been cruisin' in "Goldie Girl",
a '66 ID Confort (seen somewhere above).

David Gries, a friend from Melbourne had shown interest when I mentioned driving the car accross Australia as he knew of only one other Cabriolet that had done the trip.

So David Gries & son Morgan , Janet & I (John) had a fun time as the long stroke motor brought us accross our vast continent. I'm getting carried away here but yes, it was a great trip.

Fremantle ( gold town)
1964 DS19 crossing Australia .Jan.'95

Looking over the Great Australian Bight as we
cross the Nullarbor, (Southern Australia)

Janet, a crisp morning near Maleny, Qld

early '96

1964 DS19

West Australia plates

57 DS19 at EUROA Victoria Jan '94
pretty well as we found it after sitting for 10 odd years

EUROA 57 DS19 DASH.

57 DS19 EUROA Jan '94

'63 ID19 in background before wrecking

DS23 inj. 5 Sp Pallas
Nearly finished wrecking rusty '64 ID19

Michael & I (John) spent 3 odd days camping
as we organized loading etc
as always - - on the smell of an oily rag.

David Gries, with son Morgan was kind enough
to come up from Melbourne to give us a hand and bring the ID motor + box to Melbourne for a later pickup.
Morgan was only young and when we were dumping
the ID remains at the local rubbish dump he said in an enquiring way that the sheep in the back of a dumped ute wasn't looking too well.
As the rest of us were trying to get the job done on a scorching hot day and not wanting to dry reach, seeing thousands of magots, (with the stench) David calmly said that unfortunately the sheep wasn't well and had died.
(you had to be there).

Michael & John having fun towing '57 DS19

1000 miles from Ned Kelly country (Euroa Victoria)

to Brisbane with DS23 inj. 5 Sp Pallas.

Boiling on long hill near Coonabarabran, NSW.

About to wreck ID

Jan. '94

Is this making me old ???

Janet helping as always unload parts for storage 2005

Tom & Elaine's old '62 ID we drove for about 2 yrs
BASTILLE DAY - 2006 ??

'62 ID - - 2006 ??

 

D's - a point of view - - - Nov '94

Is it the unique beauty, the absolute craziness, or just sheer enjoyment of a smooth ride that urges one into wanting to discover every facet of this intricate family of cars.

Is it, when changing into fifth gear of a ' 74 DS23, feeling like you're on a runway, and forever believing,
the wheels are about to --- lift off .

Or having the satisfaction of the plush interior, comfort, and ride of a ' 71 DS21 Hydraulique on the highway,
a gearchange so smooth that it is joy itself.

An ID19 1961, the extra soft ride, the torque of the long stroke motor and the heavy flywheel that,
when being wound out, is asking to be driven faster ----- ever faster.

Or a classic ' 57 DS19 with its no fuss exterior and a strange hydraulic gear change that makes you realize that a "true" Citroen can't change any other way,
and when, about to walk away, you are struck down by the sheer simplicity and beauty of a dashboard which would echo its way through an ever changing world and come to its final resting place in a long distant relative,
the GS
A 1974 DS23 Automatic Pallas making city driving - - - - sheer joy.

Or the year 1967, when it all seemed to reach a peak.
Chrome buttons and switches on the "slopy" dash which was to enjoy only one more year before
"modernisation" definitely set in.
Plush carpets, stainless steel kick plates and valences, leather and cloth which showed pride in workmanship,
in a company which was about to conform slowly to the wants of an evermore changing society.

Music on, and just -------- just thinking, one could drive, on and on -------- and on.

Through the dazed eyes of an addict, John Paas.

A rusty '64 French ID19F Safari

and of course our '78 Citroen C35 work horse.

Verandah "built-ins" on house have now been
knocked out and house restumped..

Brother Michael doing tappets after removing head on our Grey Fergi TE20 tractor.

Something about Grey Fergies 2009

Landrover. 2008

Brother Michael right - - & I

An easy way of removing a roof

LOSING HUBCAPS ???

The last of many times it happened to me was my Pallas hubcap spinning off on a bridge. We watched it slow down at the edge and as we were about to stop, it teetered a bit right on the edge of the bridge. Instead of falling our way it went the other and dropped about 30 yards into the Brisbane river. That Night I woke in fright when I realized my name and phone number and reward notice was written on the inside of the hubcap. I visualized it soaring down and hitting a person on the head as his boat carried him to that precise spot. I hoped that in the next few days I wouldn't receive the dreaded phone call. I now imagine it lying on the bottom - - in the mud.

I got serious and ground the lips a bit sharper of each wheel with a grinder.
I then heated each spring of the hubcap and bent them out a touch with multi grips and quenched them red hot to keep the spring tension.

The only catch was removal. I fashioned an old steel square with one long end and the bottom end only about 3 - 4inches long. To remove I slip the small end between the hubcap and the spring jiggling it closer till the hubcap releases.

I have a tool in each of our D's and we've never lost a hubcap since.

- - Drastic you might think, but it works.

Some things I do to preserve our D's ( silly or not ? )

Put a stocking about 150mm ( 6" long ) in the top radiator hose to catch sediment. Not too long in a Traction as it can block the breather pipe ( I found out the hard way ).

Undo one of the battery clamps as often as practicable to stop corrosion in alloy head by electrolysis.

Chamois car often to avoid washing car.

Paint penetrol in rust prone areas.

Give oil changes sooner rather than later.

I throw a cork under the wiper arm to stop rubber from forming a "dent" in storage.

ALWAYS keep car under cover.

Gilbert Rog & Mal

Now look, I knows everyone goes on about these you beaut cars an' I sed they were bastards 'o things but then
I got one not long ago an' I reckoned that fer once in me life I couldo' bin wrong.

Me ol' uncle Bert 'ad one back in de 60's an' me I was a kid then used say it wes the ugliest pice o' shit this side o' the black stump. I no's me spellins not dat crash 'ot but this sorta thing gits me all riled up ye no's wot I mean.
An as I was sayin me ol' uncle Bert 'ad one back in de 60's an yeah well - - - anyhows we goes out shootin' roos in this old eep o' junk - - well thats wot I thort it wus cus it looked liked a spase ship gone wrong - - well it went over the paddicks like it wus way orf the ground, way up frum cow turds rabit 'oles an'everythin'. I coulda swore we wer flyin.

Well I still didn't think much o' the look as I liked uncle Fred's FJ Holden but I no's Uncle Fred wouldn't 'ad taken 'is FJ anywhere nears where we went in that Citron IJ 19.

Well I got one o' these IJ Citrons en she's sittin behind the back dunny en yep,
she's gonna be a beauty jus like old uncle Berts wus.

Gilbert
--------------------

Gilbert, me ol' cobber, you've been hangin' around with that cove Mal Wright from back o' Bourke, haven't you?
I wonder when we'll hear from him again.

Roger
--------------

 

Gidday Rog,

Yeah it’s ben awile. I ben takin’ pils fer deppreshen as dat ol’ IJ Citron like me uncles actually gottaway fer a secund time. Well ye know wen it got away the first time well it wus comin’ along a treat. I ‘ad the frunt o’ the ol’ girl winched up under wot I thort wus a good tree. Anyhows I changed the oil for sum good stuff I’d got outta the ol’ grey fergi.
It wus a stinkin’ot day - - this wus last summer en me dog Ned wus with me. Well, ye cun gess wot happened. I’d jus finished. Its hard te talk about it Rog but anyhows the fuckin branch broke clean orf. Uncle Bert woulda been twitchin’ in ‘is grave well anyhows Ned wus istory. I wus runnin’ when the IJ as it wus in neutral started down the hill. If it wusn’t so orful ida larfed but Rog I wouldn’t wont this fer me worst enemy even me ol’ mate Mal but I’ll get te that enother time. Ye cun see by me spellin that I’m still not on top o’ things but I’m tryin.

Anyhows Rog Ol’ Ned wus tied up te the IJ ‘as e wus chasin’ the chooks so after bein squashed to a fuckin’ scuse the language Rog but its all comin back well the IJ goes careerin’ down the fuckin paddock draggin wot wus left o’ Ned behind - - straight thru the barb wire fence en inta the new dam we jus had dug - - IJ - - branch - - me best chain block en Ned all in the new fuckin Dam.
Well I nearly choked I wus in a hell of a mess. The hole lot’s still in the Dam en I’m startin te cum good with the depreshen pills. Its been a while now so thanks Rog fer thinking o’ me.

Gilbert

_______

 

Gidday Rog,

Ye mentioned Mal. I used te be is friend but e made a line fer the wife which I didn’t think wus right fer a true mate.
So I told im te shove off see ye later piss off. Anyhows I miss im a bit.
If ye see im say ello te Mal for me the son of a bitch bastard
tell im I might forgive im if he gits me a pup cattle dog I miss Ned.

Gilbert

_____

Gidday Rog,

I donno if ye know, Rog but I got a good deal on a real good Citron. She still rises a beaut like the the old one but looks like a real Citron should. I got it real cheep. She looks a treat as its an upmarket moddle. I reckons the bloke din't know wot e ad as I know its a real good deal. It sez Citron CX Matic. Shes a beaut. The Matic part means that the gearbox is like an automatic but never gives trubble. So I’m on the mend now. I can't wait to do er' up en well
- - I'll go Cruisin'. !!!!!!
Don’t tel me brother that I git on his computer in this frog site as eed git mad. E gits upset with me a lot cus e ses I should git me act tegether which I’m doin.

See ya Rog.

______________

How are ye Rog Its me again

Mal called in a couple of weeks ago......... he's drivin' a Rav4...... loves it !

He had some disastrous tales about his ID19. Its not IJ 19 like I thought it was
It got away down the hill like what happened to mine and nearly domolished the house. E' got it runnin' again......... and then one night, after he parked it in the shed ('cos a big storm was brewin') a big branch from the pepper tree beside the shed, crashed down through the roof and bent the car in half............. its still there under the timber, tin and tree.

E' never wants to see another Sitron again. Thats wot he called it Rog - a Sitron. I dunno why we live in the bush with all this fart arsin weather. We should be in the big smoke with all the comforts like Uncle Bert all those years.

So we're talkin'again. I'm sorry bout his ID 19 - - 'es Rav utes a beaut with all the spotties on the roof - - - see ya.

Gilbert

Studebakers & bits

Chrysler

Stude

Stude

Stude in foreground
(house in distance)

View from house. Now all suburbs.

'34 Chrysler Airflow

John & Michael pulling out an ID box, 2008
Is this what one should be doing in this life one can ask
- - - and for how long ???

Driving old cars and truckie signals ( July 2011)

Janet and I came back yesterday from a regular 250 mile round trip to Gympie and back in our well packed 1968 Citroen Safari. I understand that not everyone wants to do this but our main reason is that our cars must work for there living and so justify the money spent on them - - apart from the passion we have for this wonderful brand of motor car.
I have driven many times from Brisbane to Sydney and Melbourne picking up machinery for our Bakelite manufacturing business and stock for our restoration supplies shop.

I have a school friend who drove semi’s for some time and it was he who alerted me to the Truck community’s way of making contact on our roads.
So this is meant for the young driver who like me, never knew of this “culture”.
This is a way of keeping on side with the truck drivers and you will notice that many will give a thankyou click after the “ job is done “.
If an awkward scenario might be in the making by me seeing a truck barrelling along behind me I find a spot where he might want to pass.
I flick my right indicator once - - - he will pass if it is safe and when the back of his truck has just passed the front of my vehicle I flash him twice with the headlights or at night time with high beam.
You will notice that he will come back to the normal lane quite quickly and when there, he often will signal with his indicators as a thankyou.
You don’t have to be in a truck to do this as long as you do it responsibly.
Often I pull over where a road goes off to the left or a passing lane and do the same thing - - give a signal ( right blinker once ) or just put my left blinker on as normal while left of the road.
I did 14 very overloaded trips in an old Ford Transit Van with trailer and new the full meaning of danger as I went down mountain roads in 1st gear knowing that the brakes were not good enough to pull me up. The trucks didn’t like me one bit but as I used signals responsibly they put up with me. Invariably, when coming across this ridiculous site again down the highway they didn’t run me off the road as they realized I was doing the best that I could and had their interests in mind.
The slower Citroen C35 Van and D models and tractions all fall in the old car mould but we find we don’t have any problems driving them as everyday transport while we are courteous to other drivers and hope they do the same in return - - and I’ve said it before - - we drive a lot in Queensland where we have experienced worse drivers than in the Southern States.
Yes, it is easier in newer cars but for us we manage to mix business with pleasure.
- - - -

I don't know if I am a dying breed but I still use hand signals quite often. When turning right if there is someone close on my tail I give a right hand arm signal. It probably shocks them so much that atleast they pay attention.
Again if I'm stopping at an awkward position I give my right angle arm signal to stop - - - or going left.
I suppose all these air conditioned cars have put a stop to it.
With D models I drive with the window open around town and Tractions - - - they have the best airconditioning of all with the air vent plus an opening windscreen so closed car aircoditioning isn't something I like. By using these hand signals I have avoided many a potential accident. I might be looked on as a bit of an idiot but atleast they stay clear. A bit like Tim with his beaten up hat - - let them think what they like.

Happy driving, John Paas.

I THEN SAW THE LIGHT AND BOUGHT A "D"

In the '60's I rode bikes for some time concentrating on a 1941 1200cc Harley which I "chopped", also buying early bikes from farms when they were around in abundance even owning a 4 cylinder Henderson which I bought for $25 and swapped away for a 1925 and a 1926 Harley.
A 1940 -500cc Ariel, a 250cc 30's Enfield used on the beach to Double Island Point with surfboard strapped crossways on the back and a few BSA's and a '59 Triumph and a Lambretta scooter bought for 25 cents which we blew the motor on the beach

and a wartime Jeep which we used for the beach..

In the 1970's I went on to 20's Chryslers & Dodges, 2 1939 Buicks, 2 early 50's Hudsons, Pontiacs etc till finding Chrysler Airflows interesting, owning a '34 Imperial Coupe for a while.

Walter Ireland delivering my, I think '34 Studebaker.
early 1975

Walter Ireland delivering Austin Sheerline to brother Michael's
about 1975

CHRYSLER 1926
Peregian rally about 1976

Dragging out an old '35 or so Pontiac
with my '62 EK Holden panel van.
For this work I bolted an old
tow truck gantry with big hand winch to the
back floor - - about 1975

My late 40's Chrysler & Hudson

Better cars inside ??? - - about 1975

My trusty '62 EK Holden Panelvan served me well in my Surfing years and then went on to be my
Tow Vehicle for picking up this sort of junk.

1926 0R SO CHRYSLER

Got it trucked back from an auction
out Dalby way.

with an old friend, Peter who, with his wife Rose, has driven Tractions, a "61 ID
and 203 & 403 Peugeots for years.

Fun to drive this original early 50's Dodge for a while - - about 1978

'34 Airflow at a friend's place in Geelong
before towing it 1200 miles to Brisbane
with Daihatsu truck (also right )
into which we'd put a 179 Holden motor.

Towing the rusty "34 Crysler Imperial Coupe.

"34 Chrysler Imperial which I bought from Walter at his yard. about 1977

"34 Chrysler Imperial Coupe with '35 or '36 bonnet
early 1978

Towing with my Daihatsu truck that we put a Holden motor into. I was dealing in old doors etc.1978

My brother's Morris Oxford.( about '54 )
Surfin' Caloundra
My 1st Hayden board left Mar '67

My elder brother Hubert left with peroxided hair and me.

1966

Oct '67

Moffatt beach Calounda

4 cyl. Henderson
I bought this for $25

Swapped my going 4 cyl. Henderson (left)
for a '25 and '26 Harley of which, one is above.

about 1968

My '41 1200cc Harley that I "chopped"
while I was apprenticed at Brisbane Coca Cola plant as electrical fitter mechanic ('68-'72)
(21" Norton wheel on front)

1971

1971

Cruisin'