The Riviera kid
I am now the owner of the 1972 Buick Riviera from the September issue, having bought it at Historics’ Brooklands Museum sale in July.
I was delighted to read the article and see the exquisite pictures (the wallpaper is now my computer desktop). When I bought the Buick I had no idea she would be featured, so I was very pleasantly surprised.
I have now set about a sympathetic restoration, doing as much work as I can myself. So far I have tidied up the engine bay and spent more than 10 hours detailing the exterior. She went into a workshop in early September for a service, spring and damper replacement to restore the original stance, plus a full stainless-steel exhaust. I have also begun gathering as much of the car’s history as I can.
Buying her has been an important milestone for me and has yet to fully sink in. To own such a wonderful car has filled me with joy, as has the supportive community.
Adam Pearce
Via email
The 1984 Paris Salon marked the debut of the Visa 1.6 GTI. This used the same powertrain as the Peugeot 205 GTI, and in the light Visa it performed superbly with 8.8 secs to 60mph and a top speed of 119mph. The first ones used a typically Citroën quirky dash.
When I saw a black GTI on the street in London, I knew I had to have one. In the Big Smoke it was fabulous: skinny enough to sneak through traffic, and fast enough to get away from the people I’d carved up. In the end I had three of them.
Regrettably they are now rare; the Citroën Car Club (UK) knows of only 17 and many are in storage awaiting recovery. Those who rescue them have a real treat in store.
Karl Ludvigsen
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk