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Paesi
The leftovers of Mauritius' only Citroen SM
We've seen several classic cars on islands come by here in the not so distant past. From Samos to Sylt and from heaven to, erm..., havoc. But thus far we knew nothing about classic cars on the isle of Mauritius. Enter Guido Kroos, who reported from the island last week:
"Came across this in the afternoon... The only Citroen SM delivered to Mauritius when new. It was a present from the French government to the minister of tourism at the time. At one point it stood derelict somewhere on the island and that's when the current owner, a car collector, decided to park it behind his restaurant. Never before have I come across a car in such a sorry state, and that for an SM! All alone I had to express my amazement and disbelief before I could put myself to having lunch..."
We can only hope you enjoyed that, Guido!
(Words and pictures Guido Kroos)
Pubblicato:
martedì gennaio 23rd, 2018
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Commenti
Adam Raman
07 Aprile 2024, 08:42
The Minister’s name was Sir Gaetan Duval, and apparently, there were two ordered. The first one was involved in an accident and the second was used by Sir Gaetan for a while. There is another photo of it being driven to the Mauritian Parliament.
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Guido
23 Aprile 2019, 14:10
I informed you via Instagram, funny to find it here as well!
And yes, the lunch was good overthere!
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And yes, the lunch was good overthere!
Uday Singh
17 Aprile 2019, 14:47
That Citroen SM looks very badly rusted, likely due to the intense heat, and heavy rain seasons. I have never seen an image of a Citroen SM this rusty.
Now the French govt gifting a glamorous car to the minister of Tourism... I did some research about 1970s Mauritius, and I found out that the economy boosted that time, especially tourism, but is that why the French Govt gifted the car? As a gesture of gratitude and to strengthen the Francophone ties? Pretty cool for a present!
I also have more questions to ask:
1. The car was said to be found derelict (assuming the minister later moved on with life, bought something else, etc.). But derelict in what sense? Because a lot of information say that the Citroen SM's Maserati suffered from engine failures due to owners forgetting (or probably unaware) to tune them on recommended times. Perhaps the minister a victim of this unawareness, OR maybe he later sold the car to another person who was the actual victim, and abandoned it. Was it still roadworthy, did the engine still work when found derelict?
2. What was the Mauritian minister of Tourism's name? Despite doing my in dept research, I still can't find any information. (Don't worry, i'm no stalker, I want to see a photo of the car in its early years, back in the 70s)
3. Who exactly is the current car owner? That car collector/restaurateur? If so, his name? what was his purpose with the Citroen SM? Because now it certainly doesn't look like it's going on tarmac any time soon. Just a "collection"? :D The absence of the door implies someone still has some connection with the car (tried to maintain maybe?), or it could be thieves who wanted to loot something from the car.
4. Are you certain this was the "only" Citroen SM delivered new in Mauritius? Because I know a Mauritian man who claimed to have seen a couple of fancy cars back in his young times, including the Citroen SM, and he even claimed he rode in one as a passenger. He told me that the one he rode in, it's owner was a Mauritian with French descent, running a family business.
Per saperne di più
Now the French govt gifting a glamorous car to the minister of Tourism... I did some research about 1970s Mauritius, and I found out that the economy boosted that time, especially tourism, but is that why the French Govt gifted the car? As a gesture of gratitude and to strengthen the Francophone ties? Pretty cool for a present!
I also have more questions to ask:
1. The car was said to be found derelict (assuming the minister later moved on with life, bought something else, etc.). But derelict in what sense? Because a lot of information say that the Citroen SM's Maserati suffered from engine failures due to owners forgetting (or probably unaware) to tune them on recommended times. Perhaps the minister a victim of this unawareness, OR maybe he later sold the car to another person who was the actual victim, and abandoned it. Was it still roadworthy, did the engine still work when found derelict?
2. What was the Mauritian minister of Tourism's name? Despite doing my in dept research, I still can't find any information. (Don't worry, i'm no stalker, I want to see a photo of the car in its early years, back in the 70s)
3. Who exactly is the current car owner? That car collector/restaurateur? If so, his name? what was his purpose with the Citroen SM? Because now it certainly doesn't look like it's going on tarmac any time soon. Just a "collection"? :D The absence of the door implies someone still has some connection with the car (tried to maintain maybe?), or it could be thieves who wanted to loot something from the car.
4. Are you certain this was the "only" Citroen SM delivered new in Mauritius? Because I know a Mauritian man who claimed to have seen a couple of fancy cars back in his young times, including the Citroen SM, and he even claimed he rode in one as a passenger. He told me that the one he rode in, it's owner was a Mauritian with French descent, running a family business.