Dutch courage – taking an old car to the continent

In my last blog, I promised an overview of our trip in the newly fettled D to The International Citroën Car Clubs Rally in Holland. As I think I explained, this is an event held every four years to celebrate all things Citroën. This is its 16th iteration. It was last held the UK in 2012 at the International Show Ground in Harrogate and was a fantastic spectacle for lovers of the Citroën brand. 

Les idiots abroad

Our first headache, of course, was whether the D would make it or not? Would some mechanical malady leave us bitter and screaming on the hard shoulder of the M62? Will other drivers have witnessed the spectacle of a man hitting an old Citroën with a branch saying: 'I'm going to give you a damn good thrashing'?

Well, fortunately, our DS made the first leg of the trip successfully and in some style too. So phase one of our journey onto the ferry and then to the show was trouble free. It even made the return journey with ease. Phew!

When we arrived at Middachten we found the event ground was huge, a family estate no less, with several large fields for camping and caravans as well as the attractions on offer. It had to be. Even though it was early on day one it was already awash with cars with many more to come.

We selected a spot and with remarkable efficiency erected the tent just before the rain set in. Unfortunately, that was the main theme of the first day: the incessant rain that started pretty much as soon as we were camped and persisted for the first 24 hours. It put a bit of a damper on initial proceedings but the subsequent sunny days cheered us up and dried us out!

Naturally, there were plenty of Citroën related things to see including: exhibitions, traders, caterers, club stands and a stage for the entertainment that was laid on. There was even a drive in movie theatre where we could enjoy films that feature Citroëns all from the comfort of the DS. A great idea but we didn’t partake in the end

It occurs to me that I should at least offer some exposition as to why we travelled so far and why Citroën is our voiture d'amore. I think I’ve already bored you with loads of technical stuff re Citroën and there are plenty of places on the Internet you can find that sort of thing. Instead, let's talk in a more general way about what makes this car brand so interesting to all the people at the ICCCR.

Don't know what this is!

Few car companies have done so much to innovate, defy convention and challenge the norms of what we consider ‘a car’. One major example that affects most classic and modern car drivers is that Citroën practically invented front wheel drive and used it to great effect on their hugely popular Traction Avant series and every car that followed. Most cars on the road today owe Citroën that innovation.

The brutally utilitarian 2cv helped to mobilise agrarian communities in post-war France but was also a lesson in effective but pared down engineering.

The DS blew the socks of the motoring world when launched in 1955 with more new and unique features than the industry could comprehend. And, of course, it looked like it had fallen from space.

Superb Original DS19

The SM showed that they could couple their hydro pneumatic innovations to a six cylinder Maserati engine to create a futuristic, if quintessentially seventies, GT car. It was also the fastest production car of its era clocking in at 130 mph. Fast even now...

Few automotive manufacturers have consistently delighted, confused, irritated, appalled, beguiled and confounded as Citroën. In fact, the only word that can adequately be used to describe all these features, good and bad, in one go is French! And that's the point. If you can identify with this uniquely Gallic way of thinking then you will enjoy the Citroën life. We can, and that is why we do this. We enjoy the difference and all that comes with it.

Stubby 2CV - vive le difference

As we toured the site we admired the special bodied Chapron DS cabriolets parked near to Middachten Castle and saw a very rare Prestige Model DS used only by Presidents and other high-ranking types. We saw umpteen examples from the whole of the classic Citroën canon including 2CV, Ami, Dyane, Traction Avant, H vans, GS, SM, XM, CX. You name it, every model, and model variant. Even complete one-offs. Don't believe me? How about an amphibious CX? I kid you not! 

Unfortunately, we have also found Carolyn's next choice of desired Citroën. A kit car variant of a 2CV called a Burton. That obviously means future expenditure. Whilst Citroëns may be my favourite cars those are some of my least favourite words.

Future expenditure - money gone for a Burton

Part of our time was spent finding parts for the D as we continue to upgrade it from shed to summerhouse standard. High on our list was some new body panels plus a second hand boot lid to replace the rotten one we have at present. Happily, we acquired most of our needs and haggled reasonable prices for them

So the rest of our time there was about, well, looking at Citroëns, taking about Citroëns, admiring Citroëns, photographing Citroëns, coveting better Citroëns than ours and sneering at those that are worse.

On top of standard models, we also admired many examples of how strange the Citroëniverse can be in terms of modified and project cars. Notable examples included a rare U23 hearse, rally prepared DS and Visa, a bizarre Traction/2CV Hybrid, a stretched deuche and...Well, just have a look at the pictures for examples of this exotica and just the plain weird. And when you say weird in the already off-kilter world of Citroën that means very strange indeed!

The future of motoring? DS from Back to the Future P2

On the last day, we made our way to the castle to see a display of cars grouped by era and driven by people wearing appropriate period costume. This was the cream of the crop Citroën-wise and they looked great as they paraded before the delighted onlookers with Middachten stately home in the background enhancing the scene. I was pleased to see some British-based cars being lauded both for their quality and that the owners had taken the time to come to the ICCCR to share their unique vehicles with fellow enthusiasts.

Superb 'Super Traction'

All too soon, it was time to go; our holiday at the ICCCR had ended. We got into the D had a final drive around the site and then set off for Rotterdam. It was a very easy trip, mainly motorway driving, with a brief stop and a chat with a couple of homeward bound 2CVers we met at the services. 

So what was our verdict? Well, overall it was great. It certainly kept us fully entertained for the time we were there. Some might claim it was under-powered and not as good as the ICCCR in Harrogate 2012. Perhaps that might, partly, be the case but I wouldn't say it was worse. It was just…different.

Whilst there, the venue for the 17th ICCCR was decided.  It will be in the historic city of Torun in Poland (birthplace of Nicklaus Copernicus). If this event is as pleasant as the people who were there to promote it then it will be brilliant. That said, it'll be a challenging trip so we will have to think about whether we want to drive the D that far (if it's capable that is). Perhaps check back here in about four years or so and see what we decide to do....