‘The epitome of bangernomics’

James buys a roomy load carrier for very little

What’s this ungainly looking wheeled hippo doing here? It is my new ‘classic car components carrying craft’, that’s what. And it is the epitome of pure bangernomics. The C5 was Citroën’s admittedly rather dull looking attempt at replacing the handsome Xantia and one of the last big Cits to be equipped with that legendary hydropneumatic suspension. I needed a big estate and after a brief search, discovered these beasts to be suitably unloved and worth very little. I’m delighted with it.

Despite a reputation for iffy electrics, I get a 700-mile range from that rugged HDI diesel unit but most importantly, it has a boot capable of swallowing nine tyres, two doors, some seats and several gallons of oil. A mate showed me how to fiddle with the electronics by using his laptop to add cruise control – I bought a stalk from a scrapper and simply activated it. It needed two new tyres and a service and that’s all. Bargain.

The C5 is supremely comfy for the missions at hand. I have found myself laughing at drivers of modern executive cars who, unlike me, have to swerve around potholes and it simply ignores the junk I keep shoving in the back. The self-levelling suspension adjusts itself according to load – just as the DS did back in 1955. Doesn’t look quite as nice though, does it?