PIC: Something different #107 (2/14/2026)

Geoff, loving your collection. Thanks for sharing with us. 

@geoff-jowett You have a remarkable collection of Citröens.  I will have to look around for the Opera by Hatchette/Whitebox.  That is a cool ride.

I had heard the story many years ago, that supposedly Gen. DeGalle when he was President of France (as well accompanied by his wife) survived an assassination attempt by the OAS when his Citroën limousine was ambushed and shot at by a team of assassins.

But his chauffeur, even with the tires shot out, was able to drive the FWD Citroën out of the kill zone and escape the attempt and prevent the kill. Supposedly,  the automobile was still able to get away due to it's build and design and an experienced expert professional driver at the wheel

@sizedoesmatter thanks John, its great how your "Something different" posts trigger such diverse responses.

@gdh they come up under a number of different maker names at times. Along with Hachette and Whitebox there is Salvat, IXO, Altaya, Atlas, Fabbri, plus others I'm sure I don't remember. Regardless they are quite common, as are many other 1/24 Citroens under those makers names.

Posted by: @michaeldetorrice

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Great story Mike.

https://citroenvie.com/how-the-ds-saved-the-french-presidents-life/

 

Thanks for that report featuring the Citroën and it's drivers, Geoff. Quite a car and chauffeur/bodyguard !

@sizedoesmatter +1.

@michaeldetorrice  You can actually drive the car with three wheels, if one falls off, so the idea that the driver was able to escape is realistic.  It may not be the best constructed car in the world, but it has features other cars can only dream about.

When I lived in Houston, which is only 50-90 feet above sea level we experienced flooding on occasion, and the system of bayous and reservoirs built to minimize damage could sometimes add to the problem, after an extensive rainfall.  On one occasion, I was driving by the shopping center that housed the Sakowitz store, and the water was climbing up to the headlamps on my Datsun 240Z, as I nosed my way forward, looking for higher ground.  My friend was behind me in his Citröen DS, until he pulled alongside me and looking down at me with a big grin on his face.  His car was my first experience with this French automobile and as clanky and noisy as it was, on this particular afternoon I learned it had the ability to lift itself to greater heights.  He also showed me how versatile it was when changing a tire.  A truly amazing creation.

I never was drawn to the Citroen as a young person as my North American orientation didn't permit me to appreciate it for its uniqueness.  That all changed in the past three decades though with trips to Europe/UK and more exposure to Citroen's various offerings.  I now have a decent sized 1/43 collection which includes most of the range from the 1930s thru 70s era ; it really adds to the European display section.