Amicale Citroën Internationale (ACI) - bringing together the Citroen clubs of the world » France

Time to remember: 75 years ago, André Citroën died

S. Joest ACI Communications — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 15:32:15 +0000

Many people know about the famous founder and genius André Citroën. But only a few realized that within 2010 now 75 years have passed that the world lost this outstanding man!

Time to remember, time to reflect: On 25-26 September 2010, the French “Automobile Club André Citroen” (www.club-a-citroen.fr) will celebrate a weekend related to this anniversary.

Since it is also the 150th anniversary of the famous 15th arrondissement, the Saturday will start off with an exhibition at the mayor’s place, a corso and Concours d’Elegance at Javel resp. Parc Andre Citroen will be held. Sunday 26th September will go on with a corso tour across Paris to the tomb of Andre Citroen at “cimetière Montparnasse” and to honor Mr. Citroen’s life, followed by a visit of the Conservatoire at Aulnay-Sous-Bois.

Inscriptions for participation are possible via the forms attached, resp via. the club website, or by email to acac@club-a-citroen.fr.

There are limited seats for a VIP part of this event – more details in the inscription form – and any applications must be filed before 15th August 2010.

The forms (please note that there is still a typo, it is 25-26 not 26-27 September of course):

2CV World Meeting 2011: Salbris awaits the ACI Event Of The Year

S. Joest ACI Communications — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 19:17:50 +0000

On behalf of the 2CV World Meeting 2011, the event which the Delegates elected to be the ACI Event Of The Year 2011, Xavier Audran and Christian Courte presented to the audience the latest plans and forecasts for *the* event for all 2CV drivers worldwide.

The 19th World Meeting of 2 CV friends will happen from 26 – 31 July 2011 in the heart of France at Salbris. The organizers expect exciting figures: 4000 to 5000 cars, between 8000 to 11000 participants.

The budget and organization complexity most likely beats all events so far – more than 300 volunteers will help the organizers to manage this World Meeting of Deuche lovers!

Read all details here (PDF or PowerPoint presentation from the AGM 2010).

Also watch out latest news on the event website at www.2cvfrance2011.fr, as well as a short movie:

Warning: Theft of “Jouet Citroen” toy cars

S. Joest ACI Communications — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:47:04 +0000

It is not always positive news we have to spread. This time we’re supporting our French colleagues in warning toy collectors about a theft.

The French Amicale Citroën France informs us that 12 Citroën toys of great value (type "Jouet Citroen", estimated to 25000 Euro) have been stolen from a French collector just after Epoqu’auto in Lyon. Please see the pictures.

If you hear something about these toys or see them in any exhibition, internet auction, or advertisement pls be kind enough to inform the French ACI Delegate Laurent Moret de Rocheprise, (email: laurentmr@hotmail.com) – he will transfer information to the collector (who has complained to the police) through the French Amicale.

Please spread out this information to collectors, your clubs/websites and maybe also to toy dealers around you.

Thank you, take care

///Stephan Joest
Communications
Amicale Citroen Internationale (ACI)

France: 90 years old and not one wrinkle

S. Joest ACI Communications — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:18:39 +0000

This article on the 90 years of Citroën in France is reproduced here in English translation with the gracious permission of Marc Ouayoun, a well known French car collector. It first appeared on his blog.

Nothing is riskier than planning the celebration of an event: We all have in mind memories of an event that was well organized and long anticipated which in the end fell flat. Conversely an unexpected event can prove to be unforgettable because it’s spontaneous and genuine.

Certain glum souls will no doubt have asked themselves about the legitimacy of an anniversary celebrated by Citroën in 2009, the 90 years of a tumultuous history just like that of the 20th century which saw the birth of this brand. Others will not miss the opportunity to say: “Why not the Centennial like everyone else?

For my part, I am of the opinion that the best events are those where you have something to celebrate. And 2009 is certainly a great year for the Citroën brand. The double chevrons, borne aloft by a particularly clever publicity campaign with inspired flair, plus a huge communication effort and obvious quality, is flying on its own and henceforth is carried along by a following wind. Communication, high visibility, newsworthy events; the work of the teams seems to be in sync with the products, modern. fresh and logical.

But, in the end, isn’t this all a bit quick?

The evolution of the image of the brand is spectacular, even for me who has often wished for a renaissance of Citroën on this site. Indeed, the biggest challenge will be to commit to that over time, to create solid foundations which will last in an un-certain automotive world, at the dawn of huge upheaval. The task will be difficult but most assuredly exciting.

Back to the 90th anniversary celebrations. Started at Retromobile, presented in different media and conveyed through the distribution network, the celebration saw its high point this weekend with the parade of the 90th anniversary.

Having participated nearly a year ago in the initial thinking by a working group which combined the manufacturer, collectors and the Amicale Citroën Internation-ale, I couldn’t wait for the weekend of October 3. I have to say that I was not dis-appointed either as a collector / participant or as an observer of the double chev-rons. It was a magnificent day!

The rendezvous was set for 11:00 a.m. for the assembling of the cars at the Foun-tains of Trocadero: 90 models (in fact there were more than 100) for 90 years. The organization was virually perfect and the parking of the cars done to the near-est inch. The collection of the emblematic models of the brand were represented by one or several versions: From the Type A of 1919 to the XM; through the Rosa-lie, Traction Avant, 2CV and other DS’s. The link with the present line was done through the new C3 and DS3. As to the future, it was symbolized by 2 very dis-tinctive concept cars: la Révolte recently introduced in Frankfurt and the spec-tacular “GT by Citroën.

At 5:00 p.m. the temporary exhibit was open to the public and soon the area was filled with hundreds of onlookers who had come to admire the creativity of Citroën. Very rapidly each car was surrounded by a crowd. Many visitors evoked a memory, an anecdote associated with the DS, the 2CV or an Ami Six recalled; going on holidays; the sunday outing with Uncle Hubert; going back to school with Grandma; the call of the family doctor and other slices of life. Few brands can boast of such a presence in the collective memory.

At 7:30 the departure in a convoy behind the GT. Very quickly we were caught up in Paris traffic jams and dumbfounded bystanders witnessed some unlikely scenes. A Citroën Autocar type U23 from 1947 going along flat out in a bus lane; a ZX Rallye Raid behind the C4 of Sebastien Loeb; a Rosalie stopped, hood up near the Bastille or another long line of DS’s yellow headlights glowing waiting for the green light beside the Samaritaine.

Once at the Place de la Bastille, we turned around and headed in a scattered fash-ion back to the Champs-Elyseés to wind up this unforgettable day at C42, showcase of the brand on the most beautiful avenue in the world. Even there, the sight of all our old cars parked together at the Pierre Charron Facility reminded me of the uniqueness of this rolling heritage flanked by the double chevrons.

After years of indifference, even rejection of the past, at times a burden, the brand is, from hereon in, not afraid to face its past and to find in it a source of in-spiration: a Citroën brand freed from inhibitions and determined to write a new chapter in its already rich history. Let’s wish it all success. The rendezvous is set for the 100 years in 2019!

Find some photos from that event on the blogsite at http://citropersoboulot.typepad.com/.

120 Years Eiffeltower, 90 Years Citroen: Oct 22 celebration

S. Joest ACI Communications — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:36:47 +0000

To celebrate 90 years of Citroën and 120 years of the world famous Eiffel Tower, the two are joining forces again, after 75 years, in a stunning display of ‘Créative Technologie’ on Oct 22nd, 2009.

Every night for three months from 22nd October, a special 12-minute light show will take place on the Eiffel Tower – one minute for each decade the ‘Iron Lady’ has stood proudly in the heart of Paris.

At 8.00pm on 22nd October – to mark the first of these displays – Citroën will be streaming live footage of the event from webcams mounted in 10 new Citroën C3’s, which will be positioned at key vantage points around the tower itself.

The footage will be broadcast at http://www.toureiffel.citroen.com/, and visitors to the site will be able to change viewpoints to take in the display from all angles. As well as taking advantage of the new C3’s sensational ‘Zenith’ windscreen, the webcam pictures will be displayed in vertical 9:16 format – a revolution for internet video.

The Zenith windscreen on the new C3 – Citroën’s latest model – provides a driving experience like no other, with a huge glass screen that soars above the heads of front occupants offering unprecedented levels of visibility – perfect for admiring the full height of the Eiffel Tower and the new light show in all its glory.

Citroën and the Eiffel Tower enjoyed a historic partnership for almost ten years between 1925 & 1934, when André Citroën had the Company’s name displayed in lights on the iconic structure. A total of 250,000 light bulbs and 600 kilometres of electric flex were used to make the 30 metre high letters. The spectacle was recorded in the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s largest advertising sign.. The illuminations were so bright that Charles Lindbergh used the tower as beacon when coming into land after his solo flight across the Atlantic.

75 Years Of Traction Avant: unforgettable!

S. Joest ACI Communications — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 09:27:54 +0000

ACI Event of the Year 2009:
“75 hours for 75 years” Arras, 10th-13th July 2009

This unforgettable event in Arras, in the North Pas-de-Calais region, to celebrate the 75th birthday of the famous Citroën Traction Avant, has brought together more than 1000 Tractions from all over Europe and many more visitors from very distant countries.

Walter Homberger, ACI Event Manager, shares his impressions with you:

“It was without a doubt a big success and will be remembered by every Tractionist who was present in Arras. The organizing team, consisting of members from NL-TAN, B-BOCC, GB-TOC and F-TU, under the guidance of their president André Jacquemain, has done a wonderful job. Congratulations to all of them!

Everyone was impressed by the professionalism of the organization, the exceptional quality of the cars shown in the Museum and all other animations which were offered. The program which was presented during the three days was so varied and full of highlights that every visitor could fully enjoy his stay.

It started on Friday evening with the grand garden party for over 1000 persons at the Pré Fleuri Restaurant, continued on Saturday with lectures by well known Traction Avant historians and the endurance trail in memory of Lecot. The Gala Dinner on Saturday evening was fully booked out with over 450 guests. Unfortunately space was limited, as many more people would have liked to be there. Another highlight on sunny Sunday afternoon was the Grand Parade, representing Traction history since 1934, together with traditional costume groups and local musical bands.

During the three days the two city squares, Grand’ Place and Place des Héros, were blocked of for Tractions only. It was absolutely fantastic to see hundreds of different Traction models parked in long rows on the cobble stone squares and watch local visitors by the thousand stroll between the cars and admiring them.

“75 hours for 75 years” was a superb celebration and will long be remembered by everyone! Arras demonstrated in a very positive way the true spirit of friendship between Traction- and Citroën enthusiasts from all over the world.”

There are many pictures and videos on the web about this great event. Find some eg. on the website of the Traction Avant Owners Club, UK:

http://www.traction-owners.co.uk/social/2009/75-4-75/75-4-75.htm

Enjoy!

ACI Newsletter #1/2009

S. Joest ACI Communications — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 10:24:20 +0000

The latest newsletter of ACI is about the new logo for the ACI but also about more “hands-on” funding of the Event Of The Year, updates on 75 Years of Traction and 2010, News from Citroen, AGM Minutes, etc.

Download newsletter #1/2009 here.

75 Years of Traction Avant – register now!

S. Joest ACI Communications — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 12:41:50 +0000

The 2009 ACI Event Of The Year is 75 Years Of Traction Avant. We kindly ask all interested visitors to register on the event site now – with your registration, you help the project team to prepare a good event! Thank you.

Find all event information at:

www.75heurespour75ans.com

GSA Meeting during Retromobile 2009

S. Joest ACI Communications — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 11:59:56 +0000

Hello all, we would like to warm up your hearts for the GS + GS/A club activities:

There is a meeting to happen at Retromobile (Paris) on Valentines Day (Feb 14th), for the friends of Citroen GS/A, the Birotor and its derivatives.

Read more in the invitation (zip file with several translations) here.

2005 “Event of the Year” DVD promo

S. Joest ACI Communications — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 12:08:44 +0000

The organizers of the 2005 Event Of The Year (50 Years of the DS) have approached the ACI to inform about the availability of a new DVD set about this event.

A special discount is provided to the first 200 incoming orders – the price is 29 Euro instead of 49 Euro.

To be eligible to receive this discount, a certain procedure should be followed during the order process.

Here is the message:

“In 2005, the DS celebrated its 50th birthday. For this occasion, we edited a two DVD set. We are launching a new “gold “edition » with 3 DVDs digitally re-mastered in a gift box!

Relive as many times as you like a great event that brought together over 1600 of these legendary cars in Paris! Rediscover over 700DS starting from the first 1955ID to the last DS23. Unique cars from all over the world!

Also included is the exhibition at La Villette explaining the mechanics of the car, the “Concours d’Elégance”, and many other extras!

The whole history of the Ds in this package of 3 dvds!

Special offer 29Euro (excluding shipping) for the first 200 orders only. 49Euro for the next ones.

To reserve your copy, please send an email to 1001souvenirs@gmail.com