msc@qubix.UUCP (Mark Callow) (12/05/84)
France had the worst roads in Europe, hence French cars usually have
prettly good suspension. Citreon is definitely one of the smoothest
riding.
The explanation given in the referenced article for no longer
importing them sound like it is probably correct. Many innovative ideas
fall foul of either outdated or too restrictive DOT regulations.
Citreon also fell foul of them with their steerable headlights. These
were connected to the steering and would move with it thus lighting the
way round a corner. Another idea which I have never seen in a car here
is headlamp wipers and washers. These are incredibly useful in wet or
snowy conditions. I'd love to have them on my car when I drive up to
Lake Tahoe to ski. I suspect they aren't seen in the US because of some
DOT regulation about headlights.
What really bugs me about all these finicky rules is that they seem to
fall by the wayside when it comes to pick-up trucks and vans. There are
huge numbers of raised four-wheel drive trucks which are to my mind the
worst offenders. The bumpers are either non-existent or at car
windshield height. The exposed wheels throw up huge amounts of spray
on wet roads creating a major hazard for other traffic. The wheels
can also easily throw stones up at pedestrians or through windshields
on other vehicles. These trucks have no business being on the public
highway. In fact in they would be illegal in Britain.
Another of my pet-peeves is small pickup trucks with highly polished
chrome plated flat faced rear bumpers which reflect my headlights right
back into my eyes. People should think about other road users rather
than how pretty their vehicle looks.
--
From the TARDIS of Mark Callow
msc@qubix.UUCP, qubix!msc@decwrl.ARPA
...{decvax,ucbvax}!decwrl!qubix!msc, ...{amd,ihnp4,ittvax}!qubix!mscdavew@shark.UUCP (Dave Williams) (12/08/84)
The Citroen 2CV is about the cheapest car you can buy in Europe
today. My wife's cousin had one and it was literally falling
apart after about 7 years use in Holland. The windows fell off
(they weren't the crank down type, they just opened out) and had
to be replaced. The fenders flapped in the breeze and you could
just barely shift it. It had a two cylinder engine with a top
speed somewhere near 90 KPH (55 mph). They are called
Lelijk Eendje (Ugly Duckling) in Holland and many people
apply a large decal of a duck to the doors.
Citroen also makes a luxury model called DS21 (they may be
several numbers higher by now). This call looks like an
inverted bathtub and has many innovative features, such as
oil suspension with level and height control. They also make
a panel delivery truck with ribbed sheetmetal body panels.
Speaking of French cars we had a Simca 1100 in Holland.
I would rate it at a notch below our '79 Rabbit in every
catagory, except ride and interior space.
Dave Williams
Tektronix, Inc.
ECS
P.S. The slowest cars in Holland on the snellwegen (freeways)
were 2CV's and Volvo 342's (ex- DAF's). The most impatient
drivers drove BMW 733i's, Mercedes 450's and Citroen DS21's,
sort of like Cadillac drivers here.