The Citroën.
The Citroën was Bossy’s family car growing up, although hers was burgundy. It was a 1970, and Bossy’s family of four purchased it in France and had it shipped home because it was 1970 and it was actually cheaper to do that than buy a new car at home and look how cool it was.
This car comes equipped with a hydraulic system, so when you start the engine the car rises — first the back and then the front. Or was it the front and then the back? Bossy hates to lose these details that consumed her every day for two decades. But Bossy does remember this: a car that rises back to front or the other way around garners a lot of attention on the city street. Usually in the form of, “Yo, does that thing float?”
Other facts: the stick shift was located on the steering column. And this is the car Bossy and her brother used when they were learning how to drive.
When Bossy’s parents sold this car, it had over 200,000 miles on it, most of those miles accrued while trying to find a parking space on the streets surrounding their apartment building.
citroen in chinatown, december 08
Nance says
December 5, 2008 at 10:36 amWas it a three-on-the-tree stick shift? I loved three-on-the-tree. I also love four-on-the-floor, five-on-the-floor and anything else involving a clutch. People around her (Detroit!) think I’m insane. Shows what they know.
Emily says
December 5, 2008 at 11:07 amThat is a gorgeous car. Whoever said the French didn’t know what they were doing definately was wrong.
4dbirds says
December 5, 2008 at 11:49 amWas bossy’s dad in the military or foreign service?
LIanne/Celia, darling says
December 5, 2008 at 2:44 pmMy first car was a 1964 Mercedes we bought in Germany and drove around Europe for a year and then shipped home.
When I finally sold it in 1986, I sold it for more than my parents paid for it.
Bossy rocks.
Ree (the other one) says
December 5, 2008 at 4:36 pmAs much as I love my family (most of them anyway), I’d love to have been Bossy’s sister.
Reeb says
December 5, 2008 at 5:46 pmThe only time I ever dated two guys in the same time period (I’m not on top of it enough to do that for long), one of the guys had a Citroen. Now that you mention it, I sorta remember that glide-y feeling. I mostly dated him because of the car.
What was Bossy’s fam doing in France? Regale us with that tale, sometime pls.
Biddy says
December 6, 2008 at 1:12 ami love it! i also think 3 on the tree is something everyone should learn how to drive. actually, i think drivers ed should be taught with STANDARD vehicles. it kills me to know people that can’t drive a stick
annabanana says
December 6, 2008 at 9:13 amWow! You actually had one – I always loved those cars … I love driving a manual transmission – especially the 3 on the tree.
father muskrat says
December 6, 2008 at 3:04 pmMy next door neighbors have that car! They love it. Always turns heads to cruise around Atlanta and Decatur.
cartoongoddess says
December 6, 2008 at 11:05 pmThat car, is the space tuna.
Alwyn says
December 6, 2008 at 11:41 pmMy sister and I once spotted this guy driving a Citroen in L.A. and said, “You’re so hot. You’ve got great taste.” Then we looked again and said, “You’re DAVID BYRNE!!!” Then we chased him through Nichols Canyon (although he didn’t know he was being chased).