It's French. (From Yahoo 360 Blog)

Strange enough, I've been listening to French musicians lately. Well maybe perhaps not entirely French, but certainly a hybrid of French. Dimitry From Paris, Stereolab and Bran Van 3000 are among the current artists cued up in I-Tunes.

While I've never been to France, nor do I understand the language, I do find their culture intriguing. Oh yes, and I have Vania. My French Connection.

At one time, we use to have French automobiles in the American market.

Renault left the American landscape when they sold their interest in American Motors back in 1987. Renault stopped importing the Eagle Medallion (Renault 21 in Europe) to the states in 1989. Renault has since partnered with Nissan and there have been persistent rumors that they may one day return to the market. Don't hold your breath considering current economic conditions.

Peugeot, another French manufacturer, soldered on until 1991 with their 405 sedan. These cars are very rare in the United States. One is more apt to see the larger 505 executive sedan which was introduced in 1979. The 505 was something of an BMW 5 Series. To this day, they still have a stately presence.

The first to leave the United States and perhaps the greatest French manufacturer however is Citroën.

Citroën was once a great innovator of automobiles. Exuberant engineering costs and NHTSA bumper regulations caused Citroën to leave the U.S. market abruptly in 1974. In 1972, Citroën won Motor Trends Import Car of The Year with their Citroën SM personal luxury coupe. These coupes are very rare, but a beauty to behold.

More accessible today however is the timeless design of the Citroën DS.

It's been said that Cadillac bumpers in the mid 1950's resembled as certain part of the female anatomy (Dagmars), but the Citroën has it own bit of sexual charm too. The front fenders flow back into a tightly drawn interior compartment. This design is not unlike the Porsche 911.

Viewed from above, the front is almost sinister and imposing. Take a look at an American advertisement from the early 1970's.

Which brings me back to my French Connection, Vania. Vania has been to France many times and she too is blessed with her own physical delights. I found an British advertisement for the Citroën DS and took a few liberties.

And now for the way it might be sold using a cross-pollination of the two beauties...

Now Vania if you're reading this, give me a call. I'd love to hear what you're up to these days. In fact, the Love To Love You Baby tag has significance. While flipping through my I-Tune library I saw that old Donna Summer tune and thought of you. Yeah, so give me a call! Ha!

 

Donna Summer - Sounds Of The Seventies 1976 - 11 - Love To Love You Baby

Donna Summer