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+--- Thread: A bit of Citroen (and family) history (/thread-116.html)
A bit of Citroen (and family) history - Chris - 25-11-2010
I thought that I would share this for those that are into classic Citroens.
This is the story of my grandfather who entered the 1951 Tulpen (Tulip) Rallye in a Citroen Traction Avant. The event was, at the time, one of the most gruelling and arduous rallies in Europe. The race was unsupported and covered a route of somewhere around 2,000 km from Holland to western France, down to Monaco, then back across to the snow covered Alps, crossing the mountains, then back through France returning to the finish in Holland again. The event was won by Ian Appleyard in the famous Jaguar XK120 "NUB 120".
My grandfather decided that he would take some time off work to partake, told his boss he was having some time off,and entered the Rally driving his totally standard, company car with a couple of mates coming along for the ride. He joined Class One (1500cc and over) which included a number of XK120's, Ferrari, Porsche, Allard, Bristol, Healy, Mercedes and many other illustrious marques.
During the Rallye, he said that while crossing the Alps, Appleyard's XK120 would fly past him on the straights, but he would pass him under braking and through the corners!
He went on to finish 19th in class, and without any penalty points which was a phenomenal achievement given the circumstances and something, that as a family we remain extremely proud of.
[Image: Traction.jpg]
Many years later as a pensioner, he went on to try and teach me the finer arts of cornering, heel and toe braking, and how to "flick" and opposite lock around a corner, all while I was still on "L" plates.
RE: A bit of Citroen (and family) history - 3rensho - 26-11-2010
Chris, thanks for sharing. That was interesting.
RE: A bit of Citroen (and family) history - Andre - 25-01-2011
Didn't catch this thread until now, fantastic story, looked at that photo for far too long!
RE: A bit of Citroen (and family) history - Chris - 25-01-2011
Pete has very kindly used his Photoshop skills to get rid of the creases and marks, so I will replace the picture with the cleaned up version (please can I nominate Pete for lots of Reputation points for being a top bloke)
I am also hatching a cunning plan.......
RE: A bit of Citroen (and family) history - harryh31 - 27-01-2011
Chris,
Whoops ! looks like we have started something here.........I afraid I must end my "light 15" story on a sad note. When I part exchanged my car for another, I told the garage owner to drain the water out as there was no antifreeze in, and we were expecting some cold weather.....he forgot ...resulting in a cracked block....so the car ended up in the breakers. Iv'e got a photo somewhere, but not as interesting as yours, and enjoyed your interesting story.
We seem to have lost track of the Berlingo end of things !!!!!!!
Zsara Pacasso 2 HDi / Elddis Broadway 350 2 Vouge
Sorry about bringing the Berlingo into this thread..........forgot we have changed threads