I owned that car – oh, and that one!

Absolute astonishment when I saw the story on the Austin 1800 and Citroën ID19 (June 2017). When I got married our first car together was an 1800, and our very next car was a ID19!

I’ve had a life-long admiration for the Austin 1800, not least because on Boxing Day 1973 a young girl on her bike lost control and veered in front of our 1800. Under extreme braking the car dived without locking brakes, meaning I could swerve and so hit only the front wheel of the bike. The rider escaped with just gravel rash. For its time, the road presence, braking and stability of the car was superb.

The ID19 left us with a love and respect for the idiosyncrasies of Citroëns so strong that my wife now drives a C5 Tourer and has a green 2CV that we all call the Frog. Here in Australia 2CVS are rare and it puts a smile on people’s faces wherever it goes.

Allan Black