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Correct but pretty much always known as Le Grand Six or The Big Six. This was a 1954 model with the then experimental hydropneumatic nitrogen filled sphere suspension, being developed for the DS. I stopped to help the drivers of this one, which had a split radiator hose. He was on the way to the same classic car meet in Toulon as I was. Luckily as I was in my old Porsche, I had a roll of self amalgamating tape and a roll of cloth tape with me, which together did a temporary repair. I understand they also had a tendency to run their big end bearings. Citroen must have been the last major manufacturer to keep using white metal bearings.

 

My father had a Slough, UK built 4 cylinder Light 15 in around 1948/49. He was an inveterate modifier of cars and had the engine converted to thin wall bearings and a hemi push-rod bronze head by Connaught. Connaught told him that unless he changed the bearings, with the new high compression head, he would have constant trouble.

 

Your turn.

 

Wilson

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I think the majority of the Big Sixes were sold for government service, as the purchase tax on them with the big 2.9L engine would have been prohibitive at the time. They were a favourite of the French Elite Police Force and the DST (the French MI5). Their propensity for breaking down probably saved quite a few French criminals from “getting their collars felt” :D

 

Around 80 right hand drive Big Sixes were made in Slough, UK between 1938 and 1955, so those cars are now very rare and much sought after. I am always blown away whenever I drive a Traction Avant by just how good the chassis, brakes and steering are, even by modern standards. They must have been a revelation when they came out in 1934. Even the weird gear change poking out of the dashboard works well.

 

Wilson

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Luigi,

 

Yes there is a V8 around in Holland. I am not totally convinced it is an original. I have a book on the 1930’s Paris Salons and it shows the Citroen 22CV on their stand. It is a Decapotable/Cabriolet. The one in Holland is a saloon. My book on the French motor industry says that Michelin insisted all the prototypes were destroyed, when they took over Citroen in 1935, after André Citroen had over extended his credit building the new factory for the Traction Avant. The 3.8L engine apparently had advanced features like hydraulic tappets.

 

Wilson

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Wilson -

 

Might this be the same model? I took it in front of the cathedral at Chartres a few years ago. It was used by a bride and goom.

 

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Stuart,

 

I think that is a 4 cylinder car. The sixes have a wide chrome rim round the grille; some like the one below have an extra “6” badge and the wings. They also have a slightly longer bonnet/hood but not by a lot, so quite difficult to spot unless you see them side by side. I did not realise the one in my previous photo was a Big Six, approaching from the back, until I looked under the bonnet (and through the steam). I then spotted the hydropneumatic reservoir under the bonnet and the pump on the side of the engine.

 

My best friend at university and with whom I shared an apartment in London four years afterwards, was a Citroen enthusiast. He rarely had less than one working and three in bits, including a 4 cylinder 1954 Hydropneumatic Light 15.

 

Wilson

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Not really my turn but just to keep you amused for the time being......... Make, model and coachbuilder please.

 

Wilson

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Correct here is the full image of this lovely car. I looked at a few of these but mostly the Farina or Touring bodied ones, which are rather cheaper, when I was looking for a classic rally car about 6 years ago. They have a steel floor pan, so you can imagine made from 1950’s quality Italian steel, the state of many of them. I saw ones which had been repaired with everything from biscuit tins to bits of light railway track. The engines are complicated, finicky, difficult and expensive to repair. The wholly grail is one of the rare Nardi converted engines, which up the power of the 2.8L engine to a heady 160 HP. This is an earlier 2.5L car, with a single carb engine, so the lovely body writes cheques that the 102 HP engine cannot really cash. Even so, not a car I would mind having in my dream garage - absolutely lovely.

 

Wilson

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If nobody else has a car - here is another one to puzzle you.

 

Wilson

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