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Not all DS420 limousines are the stately vehicles anymore that they once used to be. But there is an entirely different category of pleasure and fun that one can have with the less shiny versions of the model. The Monaco Challenge was a rally through the European mainland, for cars that were registered before 1985, purchased for less than £ 250.- and have more cylinders than seats as standards (wonder how the DS420 qualifies for this: 6 cylinders, 7 seats.....). Jaguar or Daimler is preferred! And, most important: each year the rally raises money for a charity. James Tziros, John Gregory and Jon Saunders are the organisers and promotors of this Monaco Challenge rally. Look at these pictures of the 2004 edition of the rally, and grasp the fun behind them!
Photo right: The Lord and his olives
Who would care about the combination of the chrome post in the side window (original) and the locking handle on the (later model) sill underneath it.... |
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Participants to the Challenge travel over 2200 miles in 8 days. That's many miles per day, but by staying together it is possible to make all kinds of arrangements without a stop. Both these pictures show the DS420 and the little MG roadster (in case you wondered: that MG is not a left hand drive car):
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Part of the fun is of course that those cars are not always up to the standards required to make such a journey without technical incidents. A minimum safety standard is required, but above that is a long distance to a "certified problem-free operation". Luckily, time is not expressed in money here, and there is no limit on costs to be made to get home again. Be honest: has your repair shop so much scenery to offer?
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Monaco was the endpoint of the trip. Since Prince Rainier had disposed of his DS420, it was nice to have one back in the streets. The picture below is the famous Monte Carlo casino.
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If you know how much fuel a DS420 consumes, you can imagine that tank stops become an often repeated ritual. Luckily, the tanks hold 90 liters (20 Imp. gallons), so you can cover some distance in between the stops. This particular photo was not taken during the rally, but it shows the first fill up after the MOT was rewarded. You really get time to dream away while standing there. The photo to the right shows the full rally participation, at a pit stop in Switzerland.
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