Greatest Post WWII Road Cars - saloons and sports

[storeynicholas]

My parents' first car was an ancient Citroen - complete with running board. My father saw it recently - in restored state - and it would probably have been worth keeping as an investment; but it's still going strong, nearly fifty years later. I'll try and get an image of the model. Meanwhile, we've not mentioned Aston Martin much. So here's another:

[img][img]http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg55 ... in_DB4.jpg[/img]
1963 Aston Martin DB4 - same model as the Bond 'Goldfinger' car. [/img]

[storeynicholas]

My father had these BMWs, a 1600 then an 1800. At the time they were very unusual, and even more so now. The derivative coupe models, the 1502, 1602 and 2002 are (and were I suppose) more numerous.

Here is a 1952 version of my parents' first car - a 1951 Citroen Light 15. My father assures me that this was the type and model of car that Maigret drove (whether in the books or films or both I don't know):

[img][img]http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg55 ... 864_lg.jpg[/img]
NJS[/img]

[Frog in Suit]

My father had these BMWs, a 1600 then an 1800. At the time they were very unusual, and even more so now. The derivative coupe models, the 1502, 1602 and 2002 are (and were I suppose) more numerous.

Here is a 1952 version of my parents' first car - a 1951 Citroen Light 15. My father assures me that this was the type and model of car that Maigret drove (whether in the books or films or both I don't know):

[img][img]http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg55 ... 864_lg.jpg[/img]
NJS[/img]

Those Citroën were known as "Traction avant" (or simply "Traction" for short). I do not know much about motor-cars or, even better, motors (Harrumph!) but I think those were first introduced around 1937 and were the first ever front-wheel drive models (hence the nickname). They were around in the fifities, since I remember seeing them, and were popular, not to say iconic, with gangsters and policemen in French films of that period. There are collectors and clubs and fans of those, most of which (the cars, not the fans) were black, with a very few two-tone (cream and brown) types, coupés (not "coops") more often than saloons. Many still run. Those and the Peugeot 203 were THE French models of the fifties for those who could afford them. I remember the earlier 203s had not just a blinking turn indicator, but one that both oscillated and blinked at the same time, behind the rear passenger window.
Nostalgie...
Frog in Suit

[storeynicholas]

FiS - My father tells me that their version of this car was ldusty-light green in colour but they sold it within a year of my birth - so I don't recall it. However, your mention of favourite as a French policeman's car calls to mind the policemen in 'To Catch a Thief' - they wreck one avoiding a poulet. "Oui, un poulet... poulet.." during the car chase, just before the viaduct and the chicken and beer picnic....
NJS.

[Cufflink79]

My father had these BMWs, a 1600 then an 1800. At the time they were very unusual, and even more so now. The derivative coupe models, the 1502, 1602 and 2002 are (and were I suppose) more numerous.

Here is a 1952 version of my parents' first car - a 1951 Citroen Light 15. My father assures me that this was the type and model of car that Maigret drove (whether in the books or films or both I don't know):

[img][img]http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg55 ... 864_lg.jpg[/img]
NJS[/img]

I believe that was the car used by the police detectives in the movie "To Catch a Thief."

In which they are following Frances Stevens played by the lovely Grace Kelly, and John Robie played by the handsome ascot wearing Cary Grant on the Moyen Corniche.

Best Regards,

Cufflink79

[storeynicholas]

Cufflink79 - Yes, looking at the footage, recently, I am sure that you're right - some great scenes in this film - GK's mother complaining "Nobody calls me Jessie anymore - would you call me Jessie, Mr Hewson?" " amiable answer (from the insurance man), absent-mindedly, puffing on a cigar: "If you like" - and then GK saying to her tipsy mother "Come on Jessie!" - so droll and, of course, GK's goodnight kiss to CG and his reaction. They don't make 'em like that anymore - cars, or actors, or films!!
NJS

[Cufflink79]

They don't make 'em like that anymore - cars, or actors, or films!!
NJS

Or, clothing.

Best Regards,

Cufflink79

[storeynicholas]

They don't make 'em like that anymore - cars, or actors, or films!!
NJS

Or, clothing.

Best Regards,

Cufflink79

Indeed. On our DVD of the film there are 'extras' - cut scenes and something about the costumes - apparently, Edith Head (8 Oscars for design) designed GK's outfits - there's never any mention of CG's outfits - presumably he just got general instructions on what to order; although I have seen a picture of CG with then wife Betsy Drake in which he is wearing the Breton jumper and bandana plus slacks and loafers - so maybe he brought that to the film himself (unless he picked it up from there!). I have tried to find out who definitely did make the North by Northwest suit as CG's daughter is writing a personal memoir of him and I asked her publisher to try to find out - but nothing yet - I daresay that the children of the famous are wary of strangers with wild requests!!! of course, I forgot the best line in the film which is GK's last line, at CG's villa: "mother will love it up here and his reaction to this!!
NJS

[Des Esseintes]

May I suggest the Maserati Sebring, a supremely elegant yet neither particularly successful nor widely known model of that famous old brand - not as flashy as (even old) Ferraris, not as bull-like as a Lamborghini, just very, very elegant in a rather refined and understated manner. The automotive equivalent to a Caraceni suit:



dE

[storeynicholas]

I like this very much. It has a light touch.
NJS

[culverwood]

I remember the Sebring well it was a handsome coupe at the end of the 60's. I wonder what they go for now.

[garu]

Well... It's hard to believe that I've read through three pages and 40 messages, and have yet to read any praise for that most special of automobiles - the Citroën DS. To drive one is a pleasure; to have owned one, an honour...

[rjman]

How about a Citroen SM? Those were amazing -- a Citroen-Maserati collaboration that was like nothing else.

[Bishop of Briggs]

A lovely pair of Bristols!

http://www.bristolcars.co.uk/pics/Blenh ... dster1.jpg


http://www.bristolcars.co.uk/pics/Brist ... sition.jpg

[storeynicholas]

A lovely pair of Bristols!

http://www.bristolcars.co.uk/pics/Blenh ... dster1.jpg


http://www.bristolcars.co.uk/pics/Brist ... sition.jpg

Yes, the best Bristols come in all shapes and sizes - and they say that every one handles magnificently.
NJS