
1955: Citroen DS The futuristic-looking Citroen DS was more like a U.F.O. than a conventional sedan. The French four-door used tech that was very uncommon for the day and Citroen proclaimed it was the most advanced car in the world.
The front-drive machine had a hydro-pneumatic suspension that provided one of the smoothest rides of any car in the day. And the advanced twin-clutch semi-automatic transmission sounds like a feature that would be home on any car today. In fact, the DS was so forward-looking, production continued until 1975. 1956: Continental Mark II
Inaccurate or it would have been the Model T for about 20 years in a row.
Bump
I’ve got a real soft spot for the Town and Country convertible. A friends father had one I got to ride in it several times. He came down with a neurological disorder and could not drive. It sat for years. When his wife died he had to go to a home. His son and nephew and I got it out and wheeled him out in his chair while we completely detailed it and tuned it up. When Denny and I were working on the motor stretched out under that huge hood Greg wheeled his dad over to the drivers side and helped him hit the horn. It had two trumpets that looked like they belonged on a locomotive. We both nearly did backflips. Russ didn’t have much control over his body, but I guess laughter is involuntary. His body quaked and tears rolled down his face. When we were done we loaded him up and each took a turn at the wheel. A beautiful and bittersweet day.
It figures I’d end up with an Edsel.