HUGH MARKS’ MOTORING CV

Avowed Citroën fan Hugh’s back catalogue

STANDARD ENSIGN

‘Our family car and the one I learned to drive in. With 60bhp from 1671cc, performance was decidedly leisurely – although I recall some entertainment because it was easy to get the tail out on wet roads at low speeds. A tough old thing, nicknamed “The Tank” by friends, which also chimed with the battleship grey paint.’

CITROËN GSA ESTATE

‘I caught the Citroën bug aged 14, when I saw an immaculate DS parked outside a hotel on a family holiday in France. The GS seemed incredibly advanced when it came out in 1970 and I eventually bought mine in 1984. I enjoyed its ride and excellent handling. Passengers were often amused by the rotating drum speedo. If I were to have one of my cars again it’d be this.’

TRIUMPH ACCLAIM

‘This was my father’s last car, but latterly I drove it quite a bit for him. As the ërst Japanese car to be built in the UK, it heralded what was to come. I recall a pleasant car to drive with a spritely engine. Its drivetrain was a bit more reëned than his previous car, an Austin Allegro!’

CITROËN XANTIA Turbod LX

‘Shown here with companions at the 1997 Citroën Car Club Rally in Peterborough. This replaced my GSA in 1995 until 2002 when I upgraded to an HDI Exclusive. That was more reëned but the Turbod gave reliable service although the engine could get a bit noisy at times. The replacement HDI clocked up over 160,000 miles until we parted company in 2011.’