Let's Talk Cyclecars

marc pics

 

My favorite Citroen Avant Traction.

 

I swamped one of those once with my T-head Mercer. The driver had the top up but the window was down. He locked the brakes up when he saw the deep puddle in front. He was only a few yards in front of me. Lucky I don't speak much French. AND he understood a shower was better than me running over his car.
Funny how a photo can bring back life threatening "MOMENTS".

 

Bluto, Have any of your riding mechanics written a book? I like the INDY Studebaker story the best. Bob

 

Dave c. pic

 

Tastycars images from Vintage Revival Montlhery

 

Igor Bietry's pic from VRM 2017.

 

More from VRM 2017

 

More VRM 2017 from Fidel Castrol

 

That's the rarest Citroen bird right there.

 

The Paris auto show version of that Citroen was in Long Beach, California
It belonged to my buddy Ralph. He sold me my first new rollaway toolbox, now there are a dozen here. He died before finishing the car.
That was a long time ago. Sorry I have no photos of the car ..... all lost in the flood.

 

Where is the Citroen now?

 

Frank at VRM 2017.Broke down South of Paris...

 

Petra pic of Petra at VRM 2017.

 

Bob

Almost 50 years ago?

 

@ VRM 2017 images from Marian S. (Germany).

 

Bluto, you do realize that we're talking about Citroen prototypes with hand build Citroen V8 engines and that until now the only thing left of those cars is one headlight trim ring because Michelin ordered these cars to be crushed?

 

I own several cars that had "Factory Destruct" orders Things happen....... Paris was under district orders as the Germans left and that wasn't done either.......

Don't ever believe paperwork unless you were there, no offense meant. Just my experience with rare objects over 60 years

 

Wow, not good. What caused that? Perhaps having a solid axle?

 

I'm not saying it's not possible but the 22cv is the one that Citroen aficionados are looking for. I heard about one possibly in the US, that would make it the "discovery" of the century. Plus 1 front sheet metal ended up on a regular Traction to confuse people even more. I know of a 50's Renault who's VIN says : Prototype 003, so yeah that stuff turns up from time to time.

 

Marc driving his fabulous Lombard at Montlhery.

 

Ralph was a MAC TOOL Dealer. Perhaps no one in your circle knew him. I think he lived in Lakewood, California. I don't think I have anything with his last name. My shop has always been filled with unusual, and rare objects. Many times I was call upon to save, preserve, restore very rare items. I think that's why Ralph was talking to me about his car. Not as a future job for me but more about history .... I am a lifelong traditional mechanic with a Degree in Art History, years of many years of successful road racing and development. I have had manufactures, enthusiasts, designers come in to discuss their projects. It was my job, intense interest, obsession and life and still is. Many many years ago I began to refer to these as Industrial Archeology with the explanation that machines have evolved so quickly and broadened in scope over the industrial age that is is possible that as much is lost in the this age as in all previous history.

 

Anna and her RATIER at VRM 2017.Use the Caddy in the back round and you get an idea of the scale.

 

Hall Scott aircraft engine at VRM by Igor Bietry.

 

JMO but those square fours look so much better out of a motorcycle frame.

 

That's the first time I remember seeing that GN. What's the story on it?

 

Amilcar...1925