So, here we are again. Another update on the DS’ renovations that I
have been documenting for a blog or two hopefully for your enjoyment and
empathy. Regular readers will know my French fancy has had a near death
experience due to major complications brought on by owner neglect.
It has had protracted lifesaving
surgery as diseased bits were cut out and new healthy bits shoved in (those, I
believe, are technical terms). In addition, alongside all that, there’s been
the mysterious emptying of my wallet, which is the bit that has distressed me
the most!
Oh, I nearly forgot. I’ve been
using songs as metaphors for the restoration process and wanted to
continue. Unfortunately, I didn’t really
know anything that would fit until a Google search found Change (stop the rot) recorded in 1990 by a band called the The
Spaceheads. Although I’m not a fan, I’m
still happy to appropriate their song to fulfil the literary whimsy I have
decided to pursue. If you have been keeping up with the saga I hope you’ll
agree with The Spaceheads - there’s been a lot of changes to the D and a lot of
rot stopped!
So now, I’m pleased to say, the D
is back home and seems to be in fine fettle, more or less. I suspect a few adjustments to the new brakes
and clutch will be required as they bed in but overall you can feel, and see
the difference. The ride seems more
solid, gear changes and pick up now happen without fuss and, best of all, the
lights track with the steering meaning I now have one of the remarkable USPs of
the late model DS: steering headlights!
 |
| Some employees enjoying a proper Citroen |
I also had hazard lights fitted
which is something Citroen didn’t supply back in the day probably on the
assumption that a flimsy reflective triangle was a better solution to alert
others of roadside woes. They seem to work well and, interestingly, the flasher
unit fitted to achieve this aftermarket upgrade was from a 2CV so hopefully no
rejection problems there!
We’ve been stress-testing the
changes by doing various trips, both long and short, to see if anything drops
off, fails or is just plain irritating and it mostly seems fine. As I mentioned, it has to transport us to The
Netherlands at the beginning of August. So, as you’re reading this, I could be
enjoying a lovely cone of frites mayo at the International Citroen Car Club
Rally (ICCCR) at the Middachten Estate or sitting in a layby on the M62 muttering
something like: ‘bloody piet de merde’.
Time will tell on that one…
One interesting post-renovation
excursion we took was to support the Evans Halshall Citroen Stand at the recent
Stockport Carnival in Woodbank Park. We
seem to get on quite well with the guys there so are happy to help out (and do
a bit of PR for the Woodsmoor Show). So,
we duly turned up in our Citroen fleet and parked them alongside the more
modern Citroens and DS’. Whilst it will look great on the promos and tweets for
the Citroen team the truth of the matter is the older cars attracted more
attention.
 |
| The old and the new... |
The conceited part of me likes to
think this is proof positive that Citroen or DS Automobiles or whatever they’re calling
themselves these days should recognise that they were once a much more creative
and innovative company. The fripperies and foibles of old Citroens are actually
the features that people respond to and enjoy.
As such, a lot more of that kind of thinking might just give them the
edge they are looking for in the market. Better than simply re-badging
bog-standard cars with the marques of more enigmatic past glories. Anyway enough of that!
The final stage of the D’s
restoration process will happen when we have recovered financially from all
that I have described for you. That will
be a full body renovation and a quality respray. Touch wood, we now have a solid and reliable
car which is worthy of such attentions and one we can be genuinely proud
of. So, after Holland, we will no doubt
be consumed by the arrangements for a certain car show in the Woodsmoor area
that I hope you might visit if you're in the area.
