SIDNEY F.M.BOULTING

Sir, I was most interested in the letter from B. L. McGrath on the

Citroen Light Fifteen. I owned a 1916 model for nearly three years during which period I covered about 40,000 miles ; apart from the excellent roadholding and direct steering (very heavy in traliel I can see little to recommend it. The engine is very rough by modern standards, the luggage accommodation is practically useless, not even a bag of golf clubs being accommAated (although the new models have a built-out boot which makes the car even uglier). I took the car to France twice and on the first occasion the starter

Bendix, packed up, necessitating a trip to Toulon for a replacement, and on the second trip the clutch plate fractured, the engine having to be removed to replace it. The car was always maintained by Citroen experts. As I had used up most of my foreign allowance on this vehicle, I sold it and bought an A90 drophead coupe which recently drove to Malaga and back, covering a distance of over 3,000 miles, mostly over corrugated Spanish roads. I averaged Over 50 m.p.h. for a considerable part of the journey,

the car gave no trouble whatsoever on the trip, not even any oil or water topping-up being required. It always starts at the first touch and will genuinely exceed 90 m.p.h. and will, in fact, cruise at that speed so long as road condition$ permit.

I believe it comes into the category of that ludicrous phrase ” modern tinware,” but I have yet to be passed by any vintage enthusiast and have left. many far behind at the lights, to their great annoyance. I am, Yours, etc.,

London, S.W.5. SIDNEY F. M. BOULTING.