August 22nd 1998

We left the hotel quite late and got the site shortly before noon. While Gerhard and Monica went down to have lunch in the big tent, Andreas and me went our seperate ways, taking pictures on the large meadow turned into a temporary car park (next to the proper parking area). Pity the different Citroen-types could not or had not been lined up. But then, there was a greater element of surprise. After about an hour, I felt hungry, got a large "Dagobert" sandwich and had a look at the exhibition "Citroën in Belgium". The exhibition was very well one indeed. Together with some famous or special Beglian-made Citroëns, it featured hundreds of comics pages showing Citroën models. Of course, Belgium is the land of comics or bandes dessinées. I also enjoyed the old Citroën-ads they showed, and especially the 2CV sandpit races - those little bugs jumped round like crazy! Quite different from a Traction suspension, I suppose.

After that, I had a leisurely stroll through the woods. At one point, the beginning of a flower-alley between the big tent and the lake, there was even a large round flower arrangement, showing four double chevrons pointing to the center. I guess not many people came across it, but the two "organically grown Deuches" next to the castle were also quite a sight!

I sat down by the lake and got myself a good position to take pictures of the Concours d'Elegance. I didn't quite follow the non-Tractions, as I was awaiting the appearance of my friends. They all came: Andreas mounted a doctor's suitcase on his foldable baggage carrier and Christian drove up behind him, simualting an emergency tyre assistance with his rare air pump that he connected to his crank shaft. Then Christian he took Regine, who was playing the unaware, by the scruff and shoved her right down the spare seat, turned the keys an invited a pretty woman from the cheering crowd to take the seat next to him!

Gerhard and Monica came next, elegantly dressed in their very elegant 15/6 which had recently been made 'decapotable' i.e. convertible. We took a few pictures of the car by the (swan) lake and drove back up to the car park. Then I drove Gerhard over to the market area, as I had to get 5 new tyres. It rained heavily again and we spent the time in the spare parts tent, looking for a new fuel lid for my car.

I wasn't inclined to go back to the hotel, so I accompanied the two 15-drivers for the Gala Dinner. The food was just excellent and spectacularly presented. We got to meet a family of french Tractionists at our table, one of whom was capable of performing the exact immitation of a 2CV horn from the bottom of his throat - hilarious! And the 22 Citroën Big Band played my favourite evergreens, too.

At around 10pm, people from the campsite started flocking in, and also the people who wanted to see the winners of the concours. Well, what do you know - it was Monica and Gerhard for sure who won the first prize in the Traction (after war) section! Maybe they were less of a laugh but then again, the contest was about the most beautiful car. Regine and Christian also came to congratulate, while Andreas stayed at the hotel as he had to be up early on Sunday to attend the ACI committee meeting.

Caspar Türler, August 1998

A B14?




A C2 with a trailor




A C4 converted to a breakdown lorry




A nice B2? and a Slough built Big 15 Roadster