Michael's 1962 ID19 Slough Safari amongst others.
Over 2,200km on a week long DS 60th Jubilee run 2015

FROM AUSSIEFROGS WEBSITE

A question and a well written answer explaining the difference
of driving an early ID or DS Citroen compared to a late one.

**

Would like to understand what it is that marks driving the long stroke D out, when
compared with the later car. Is it generally considered that the driving experience is better? Am familiar with the later engines and I'd always assumed the pre-66 cars would be terribly slow but am I missing something here. - - Cheers, Marc

**

The earlier long stroke engined cars had a much more relaxed personality, although if stirred they could move surprisingly quick.
With more torque lower down than the later 2 litre engines & an unburstable 23mph / 1000 RPM top gear [19.5mph most ID & 4 speed Dspecials], they had a delightfully long relaxed touring gate, with a touring fuel consumption nudging 40 MPG.
The suspensions were also softer in all aspects, with smaller antiroll bars, so you really haven't experienced the full ride possibilities of a D until you have ridden in a properly set up early car. The side to side rock of the later cars, especially the injected ones, is almost absent , but roll angles are steeper as a result.
Of course the single lug wheels are a genius design, so convenient & with the use of the crank handle extension shaft, even a child can refit them.
The ID19 Confort & DS19 cars had better upholstery, thick sponge foam carpet underlays, firewall insulation, & proper heating, so are much quieter & very desirable.
Because they all used the early vegetable based hydraulic fluid they even smelled different.
If you can find one that is not totally rusted away grab it & experience what the original D was all about. - - Richard

It really comes down to whether you want a good town car or a real cruise machine. Most D's are good town cars and cruise quite well but if you want a real cruiser then it is hard to go past the long stroke motor in the pre 1966 cars.
Then there is the 5 speed DS21 or DS23.
One of the nicest models for me is the '67 and '68 ID19B. My '68 Safari has the ID19B spec having the high 4th gear and it is a joy to drive and then I have the '68 Sedan (ID19B) again high 4th gear, which took Janet and I from Perth to Brisbane and then back to Victoria in real style.

Although we have sold a number of vehicles over the years we find it difficult to part with any that we have left as they are all so individual and exciting in their own way.

At least by not having the added cost and problems of modern computer based cars we can rationalize by having these wonderful examples of the D model.

Again, good luck Bert, there is nothing more fun than being on the hunt for a D, whatever year it may be and whatever specification. - - John

45deg '68 Safari -NEWELL HIGHWAY-JAN-2013

Carcoar. NSW

Cruising country Australia is always a joy. Greg's idea isn't so silly. Carcoar could have these themes.

For me there would have to be some old cars. Dodges, anything to maybe 1956 - - I'm biased. A few Feral cars, an old FJ ute with a cattle dog in the back. A rusty '51 Plymouth and of course my mottly '56 Big 15. And then, Matthew's Mum dressed in a nice floral summer frock, gloves and hat trying to dodge the horses tied up in front of the Royal. Bert and Jim rollin' a smoke starin' at the good lookin' sheila comin' outta the pub. It's a stinkin' 'ot day and the whistle blows fer the noon run te Sydney en Greg's brother's slidin' on the horse shit tryin' te make the bloody train. And then all goes quiet - - - - in Carcoar.

Gilbert

1956 Humber Hawk - Sunbeam Talbot
- 1954 Sunbeam Alpine - - 1974 DS23 5 speed Pallas

1956 HUMBER HAWK
with Laycock de Normanville electric overdrive

John & Michael, Creswick Mill Vic.

1950 Big 6 - - 1951 Rover 75 "Cyclops"

1956 Big 15 in Maldon Vic.2012

PICNIC AT MUCKLEFORD STATION 28th OCTOBER 2012

Yes this was a good day. The sun was definitely out and there was plenty to do for the whole family. Great to see the Castlemaine -Maldon Steam Train come through, stopping right between the action. The dog looking out of the guard's van had the best view.

Janet and I couldn't get the Big 6 out because of trenches for a new shed so a quick call to Michael nabs his 1960 ID19. The short trip in a horrible new hire car and preparations to get 2 cars ready. Pumping up tyres and a clean. Michael decided to take his 1955 Sunbeam Alpine, a sweet car indeed. I always find it amusing to see Michael do "a personality change" as he dons his leather airforce jacket and appropriate cold weather sports car gear. After doing a mile or so I stopped as I wanted to check if "I WAS UP". These ID's should absolutely float and I'm thinking the ride just isn't up to scratch. Michael assures me it's okay and no time to change to the re-gassed spheres. So off we go again. Me remembering how wonderful these early ID's are "we're cruisin'. The Alpine gets along so Castlemaine disappears fast. Arriving at the old Muckleford Station amongst beautiful Victorian countryside we are given a good spot with the Castlemaine Car Club. A black 40's Pontiac Sloper on one side, the '60 ID and the Alpine. I set up our Picnic table etc and off to join in the fun. A tractor pull is when tractors show their stuff pulling what looks like a sled. The sled slowly digs itself in and this is when the tractor slowly stops. A big bulldog or so will take over to show it's immense strength.
Of course Michael couldn't help himself. An ID that has lived at Hepburn, not far away, was being sold by A MORRIS DANCER. A great bloke who finally decided that his pride and joy was ready to be loved by someone else. Before I even saw the car Michael was scrounging up a deposit and it was his. Michael has been worried for some years that the Canola oil in this car would spit the dummy so acquiring it, he can now put it right. It had a few day's rego so I don't yet know of it's progress.
So yes, the Morris dancers were great along with many happenings that make this a good family day out.
An Anglia like the one that Michael, me and my eldest brother would go rabbit shooting in back in the 60's. Mum always regretted selling the little Renault 4CV or something as the Ford Anglia was never what the good old Renault was.
Many old cars to look at and familiar faces. Well into the afternoon we leave to head for nearby Maldon to check the shops and have a coffee. The odd model T and others parked around town. The ID always gets a look.
Good fun, John.

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

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.

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

The men that make it happen.

Arthur Lewis w/shop in Wynnum (Brisbane)many years.
Lance Collins of DS Motors, Brisbane.
Ian Steele keeping cars going from Maleny area.
&
Jim Reddiex, responsible for making Australia one of the
D model capitals of the world ( Maxim Motors )

'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

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.

Very early number 148 Slough DS19.

Chassis plate out of car on right

1956 DS 19 . No. 148

Out to Samford near Brisbane for a coffee with Janet’s Mum. How about a little adventure to Mt Glorious 2000 feet up instead so away we went. D models tend to get a bit hot going up mountains so I thought the opportunity to take the Light 15 was a good one.
I lived for 2 years in the early 80’s at Mt Glorious dealing in antiques and remember the odd time having to stop half way up with my first tired D Special with a tandem trailer of furniture. Having to hide part of the load in the bushes so the Special would make it up the steep ascent and having to come back for the rest.

The Lt 15 has the ID motor and box so with the 4 gears and being a lighter car makes the ascent easier.
Still, it was a hard drive navigating the bends but that is where tractions come into their own. The brakes in the traction are not like a D so a few shifts down the gears can help when having to slow down fast. Having the ID box does make a difference in how I drive as I can drive it hard without a worry of the box breaking.
So it was good fun. The Light 15 generally gets used around Brisbane and off to the movies so I thought today, that it definitely earned its keep.- - - John.
**
The stretch going up Mt Glorious is a severe ascent, much like Toowoomba, or the Gap going to Wawick but steeper than both. It would have been 1980-'81 when I lived up there.
Before that I had a small truck & tandem trailer that I transported old doors & building materials to Melbourne when that was the rage. At the same time I had a ’53 or so Rover 75 with the free wheeling knob.
Moved down to do the hippy thing down Macksville way for a year and then bought a ’55 or so Wolseley 4/44 and it was then that I moved to Mt Glorious. I then bought a good nick low mileage ’62 EK Holden station wagon. A lady friend of mine who I’d known for years needed something to get around in as her Light 15 was off the road for a while so I sold her the wagon. I had driven FE, FC and EK Holdens for a few years after getting my licence and thought them to be great cars. An EK panelvan pulled many an old car on the tandem. Anyway, she sold the wagon within a week as she thought the thing was atrocious and didn’t drive any better than a Fergy tractor.
This got me thinking. I had a look at a roundie Mercedes as I’d always liked them since I was a kid. I drove it and thought it was like a truck not really realizing that being a diesel had something to do with it.
So then I took the plunge and bought the ’71 D Special. Being 10 years old, the $800 I paid was pretty good and I might be a bit harsh in saying that it was tired. It’s only that it boiled every time up the mountain as it didn’t like the tandem trailer. I was used to Holdens which could take any amount of abuse you could throw at them.
Over the years I have accepted the very few shortcomings of the D models and learnt to love them, along with the odd traction thrown in.

The short drive the other week in Michael’s 1960 ID reminded me what fun I have been missing out on so keep enjoying yours. - - John Paas.

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 in country Victoria to a school friend's farm in the early '60's. It was black petrol model and - -beautiful.
After a drive in the diesel model those many years later 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 Citroen' - - with a sigh, probably bringing her home for that short moment.

Obviously one is careful about handling brake fluid and maybe some like the challenge of operating a car in the same way it was meant - - just like me not adding a switch to the wiper system of the Big 15 and coping with that confounded English knob system that could be looked at as the worst feature on too many English cars.

But then when trying to cope with turning the wipers to activate them I know how umpteen people felt - - back in de old days.

For some people hopping into a "confounded car" brings them back to an earlier time - - when all things weren't done how we would do them now.

So some of us will curse and swear and in the end, drive away with some sense of satisfaction that we - - - managed. - - - Doesn't she purr beautifully

John Paas.

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.

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
unlike the more common smaller teardrop version

1963 DS19 (Michael Paas) 1998
Cruisin' New Zealand before we brought
the DS to Aus.

"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.

EUCLA SA
pictures Apr.'94

John Michael Oliver Claire

Burnt remains of Big 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 6 now buried in dunes at Eucla

The notes on right are fromRestored Cars Magazine No. 225

Caption left :- Gutted body of O'shea's Big 6 burnt out in last Redex trial
From Modern Motor magazine April 1955

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Something about Grey Fergies 2009

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.

- - - - - - Now that's interesting. I say here to quench the spring in cold water.
I did this recently (June 2012)as I've been hubcap proofing the '68 ID19B after losing a Pallas hubcap on the highway and did my bit heating the spring and bring it out and then I dunked the part of the hubcap with red hot spring in water and presto - - the spring cracked to billio and broke like cardboard. Not wanting to repeat this disaster I didn't quench the others but think that maybe the spring might be gone out of the steel. In any case the hubcaps are hanging on. I'll need to recover a good spring from a bad hubcap and rivet it onto where my balls up is. I think when I did this procedure originally I ran the hot spring under a tap instead of dunking.
- - - insert June 2012..

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 to 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 pride o place under the old mango tree 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. Fer a wile Ive ‘ad it sittin be'ind the back dunny you know where we used te make fags from pencil shavins en me father beat the shitter outta me en you ye ol’ mate couldn’t cum over fer a year. Anyhow 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 ‘is computer in this frog site as eed git mad. E gits upset wif me a lot cus e ses I should git me act tegether which I’m doin.

See ya Rog, Gilbert

______________

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 his 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

FRENCHIE FEROLS

Gidday Johnno, its been awhile.

Studebakers & bits

'34 Chrysler Airflow

Driving old cars and truckie signals ( July 2011)

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 knew 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

CHRYSLER 1926
Peregian rally about 1976

1926 0R SO CHRYSLER

Got it trucked back from an auction
out Dalby way.

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

Michael & his very original
1937 Chev sloper on holiday
south from Brisbane towing Caravan.
It wasn't hard finding cars like this
for a few hundred dollars in the 1960's

About 1969

Overlooking Kings Beach Caloundra
1967 - - Michael next to car.
A friend of the family was kind to take Michael & I along, with very little room
in the back of the E Type Jag,
when cruising for waves between Caloundra a & Noosa Heads

My Hayden board on the ground.
My sister's Wolsely on top I think,
with Michael's greenboard to left &
friend's belly board.

My elder brother Hubert left with peroxided hair and me.
Moffatt Beach Caloundra ?

1966

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

2015 French Car Day a hit

60 years 62 D's

Just to say that that this year’s French Car Day was great. 62 D model Citroens turned up so the aim of 60 D’s for the 60 year anniversary was realized.
I always enjoy studying the different Renaults and Peugeots. The enthusiasm that people like Tony Melcer have make it fun for all of us.

I had an interesting chat with a Renault 4CV/750 owner by the name Slade or so, I think. My mother drove us kids around when we were little in and around Geelong in the late 50’s in one of these. He told me about the automatic choke which didn’t seem to work on ours on cold mornings. With 7 kids there were always a few around to push start the car.
In about 1964 Mum sold the car to buy the funny back window Ford Anglia which she had trouble with. She regretted selling the Renault, probably thinking that all cars had good engineering like her Renault. The Anglia just wasn’t the same. The Renault Victorian rego GUE 090 and Dad's '57 Chev was GTF 973.
Dad was a bit of a home body so although the Chev seemed the obvious choice, it was Mum who took us to Ocean Grove and so-on with brothers and sisters on each other's laps to fit in. I don't think Mum would ever have been allowed to drive the Chev and I would think that Dad never drove the Renault. They were different days.

203 and 403 Peugeots always hold my fascination so seeing some lovely examples made the day all the more special. Jim Reddiex, the man responsible for selling many Citroens through Maxim motors was there and Arthur Lewis who had the workshop in Wynnum for many years maintaining many French cars. Lance Collins from DS Motors was the main reason why the D Model count was made possible. He badgered many a D model owner into coming so we have him to thank for making the 62 D's a reality. Ian Steele was there as always with a great camping with a Safari display, plus bringing one of two D Cabriolets.
It is always a chance to meet up with many old friends who continue to enjoy driving this wonderful mix of French cars.

John Paas.