With all the excitement and publicity surrounding the annual Scottsdale auctions it's been all too easy for us to ignore the 35th Rétromobile exhibition at Porte de Versailles from the January 22-31. One of the best days to attend is January 23rd, during which Bonhams will offer 99 cars and 50 exceptional items of automobilia. A prestigious 28-car collection belonging to an Andalusian industrialist is the centerpiece of the sale. It includes five Hispano-Suiza cars with elegant coach-built bodies, several Bentleys, a Lagonda, a Horch (853A), a Cadillac (V16 Double Phaeton) convertible and a 1932 Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Monza estimated at more than a million euros.
Amidst all that glamour I might be more attracted to a car that's not so rare and expensive, but both beautiful and technically fascinating. It's a 1971 Citroën Décapotable (convertible to us), estimated to sell for €130,000 – 150,000. Beneath the aerodynamically efficient, low-drag body there was an all-independent, self-leveling, hydro-pneumatic suspension and power-operated brakes, clutch and steering, a system so advanced that it is still used in contemporary top-of-the-line Citroëns. The DS's original 1,911cc, overhead-valve, long-stroke engine was replaced in 1966 by a short-stroke 1,985cc unit, also available in 2,175cc and 2,347cc versions, while other DS developments included swivelling headlights, fuel injection and a five-speed gearbox. Convertibles were built on the station wagon's longer and stronger chassis.
The Citroën Décapotable offered here has undergone an extensive refurbishment including a bare metal repaint in its original Jet Black, re-plating or replacing of all stainless brightwork and the complete retrim of the beautiful cognac leather interior and black mohair hood to concours standard. Mechanical work included replacing the steering rack, hydraulic pump, accumulator, suspension spheres, voltage regulator, alternator, starter switch and cables, and a new exhaust system. All systems have been checked and overhauled by Citroën specialists.
So I'm off to Paris, folks, to bring home this lovely French car… in my imagination, of course.