Following its successful staging in 2013, the largest classic car and parts market in the Basiliensis region, the 13th Auto-Moto-Klassik, took place for the second time at the Pantheon Basel.
Classic car enthusiasts and car lovers came together on the second weekend in May to talk shop and enjoy cars. The focus was not only on automotive nostalgia, a manageable range of vehicles, models, literature and accessories, but also on the special Citroën exhibition, which was on display during Auto-Moto-Klassik.
Package ticket for the trade fair, museum and Citroën special exhibition
All Auto-Moto-Klassik visitors were given free admission to the museum on the history of mobility - one of the oldest cars in the museum is a Dietrich from 1901 - and thus also admission to the impressive Citroën special exhibition. Of course, hardly anyone missed this.
The 14th Citroën special exhibition can be seen at the Automuseum in Muttenz until October 12, 2014. Since 2008, the year the Pantheon opened, the following special exhibitions have been on display: Alfa Romeo (2008), Bugatti (2008-2009), MG (2009), Jaguar (2009), Lancia (2009-2010), "Swiss Cars" (2010), Porsche (2010-2011), Ferrari (2011), "History of the Two-Wheeler" (2011-2012), "When Cars Learned to Walk" (2012), Rolls-Royce and Bentley (2012-2013), "Klausen Races" (2013) and "The Swiss Carrossiers" (2013-2014).
These fourteen special exhibitions showcased rarities and exceptional vehicles, neatly documented and attractively presented. The current Citroën special exhibition also meets this high standard.
The Citroën tracked vehicle
The Citroën C4 Autochenille Kégresse P17 1929 from Fribourg collector Philippe Etter attracts particular attention. Between 1922 and 1934, Citroën carried out sensational expeditions in Africa (Croisière transahrienne 1922-1923 and Croisière noire 1924-1925), Asia (Croisière jaune 1931-1932) and Canada (Croisière blanche 1934) with similar sand-colored half-track vehicles.
The vehicle on display was produced by Citroën for the Croisière jaune, which ran from Beirut in Lebanon via Afghanistan, the Himalayas and Mongolia to Peking between 1931 and 1932. This C4 Autochenille Kégresse was acquired by Philippe Etter as a wreck and restored to its original condition. Fewer than ten examples of this model exist worldwide.
Unique Traction Avant as a convertible
The 1938 Traction Cabriolet is also much admired. It is the only "Large" Cabriolet still in existence in Switzerland. There is also a Traction Avant built in England. It was delivered from England to Pretoria in South Africa in 1954. Another rare version is the green Traction Avant, which is clad in a Splendilux body.
The first Wankel from Citroën
The Citroën M35, a prototype built for experimental purposes, is also extremely rare. From 1969 to 1971, the Heuliez body factory built 267 of the planned 500 Ami coupés with a single-disc Wankel engine (497.5 cm³ 49 hp at 5500 rpm) and hydropneumatic suspension.
These prototypes were sold to a select clientele for testing purposes. At the end of the test phase, Citroën tried to buy the vehicles back in order to avoid having to stockpile spare parts. The vehicle on display at the Pantheon is owned by the largest Citroën collector in the canton of Fribourg: José Dula from Courtepin.
He also made the following rarities available to the exhibition: DS 19 (1957), DS 21 Pallas (1967), SM (1970) - the vehicle on display is the 39th of a total of 12,921 examples produced - , DS 19 Break (1971), Mehari 4x4 (1980), BX 4TC Group B (1982) and even a MEP "Formule bleue" formula racing car with a Citroën GS engine.
The nurse's Deux-Chevaux
Also from the canton of Fribourg is a Citroën 2CV AZ from 1956. The first owner of the exhibited vehicle was a nurse from the Red Cross in Geneva. This 2CV has always been in Switzerland and has never been restored. In 2007, it made an appearance at the Tintin Festival in Lausanne .
The Pantheon Museum presents 34 Citroën vehicles, half of which found their way to Muttenz from French-speaking Switzerland. "Proof that there is no Röstigraben in the classic car scene," wrote Hans Berchtold in the Citroën special exhibition catalog. He supported Stephan Musfeld, the Pantheon initiator, in organizing the exhibition.
And even more Citroën
It should also be added that one of the most interesting Traction Avants was presented outside the Citroën special exhibition.
It was a very rare 15 Six Worblaufen from 1949. Worblaufen built a total of 15 Citroën bodies with four seats, one of which was exhibited at the Geneva Motor Show in 1949. Only two of these vehicles have survived. While one could be admired in the exhibition, the other lives in Holland.
And a Citroën as a cash register
But back to the 13th Auto-Moto-Klassik. Rare spare parts and accessories, as well as literature and model cars, could be found among the vintage and youngtimer vehicles (including a Citroën GS and a 2CV Charleston from 1987 with black and yellow paintwork).
And what could have served better as an entrance ticket than a Citroën HY pick-up from 1977?
Pantheon initiator Stephan Musfeld has once again managed to organize a small and fine, but above all successful event.
