I’m having an affair, multiple ones, and my wife knows all about it. When she sees me with my toolbox in hand she asks, “Going to see your girlfriends tonight? Have fun!”

Twice a week I visit my Diva and Goddesses. The Diva is a 1972 Citroën SM (Sa Majesté). My Goddesses are a Citroën 1961 DS 19 and a 1967 DS 21 and a Pallas. I work on their bodies, restore their beauty, and rework their nervous system of electronics to get them to come alive.

We Citroën DS grease monkeys say,  “The difference between a man and a boy is measured by the size of their toys.” Cars are a hobby for me but for others, auto collecting is an obsession.

Take André. We’re both in the furniture business for years. I’ve known him for years. We talk about furniture the same way as we do for cars: it’s all aerodynamics, curves, lines, speed, power, and prowess.

His  collection includes one-of-a-kind masterpieces from the most prestigious brands: Ferrari’s, Lamborghini’s, Maserati’s, Aston Martins, Jaguar’s, Classic Fiats, the list goes on. This obsession of his has evolved into a second business revolving around the craftsmen, welders, and mechanics needed to restore these babes to brilliance. Check it out. 

This is a 1947 Fiat Ghia. Less than 10 were made, all in different styles. This model was once owned by the King and Princess of Italy. It was found in the US in a garage where it lay neglected for years. The trader claimed that the Fiat was bought it in Portugal, where the Italian royal couple lived after their abdication.  You can see the Princess in the driver’s seat and the King standing by in a black coat after winning 1st prize at the Concourse D’élegance.

This early model AC Ace has an impressive race history. It won at Silverstone in 1955 and 1956. Found in Australia with restoration work from the 70’s, André totally stripped the Ace and is restoring it to its original state: black body, wheels and original engine. Watch the Mille Miglia this year where she will debut.  

Last but not least, here’s André’s 2018 entry to the Mille Miglia ’s entry. This nearly forgotten AC Bristol was once driven by the famous private British racer Ted Whiteaway. In its day, this beauty won Goodwood and many other famous European races.

André and I share  a passion for man and his machines.  Furniture design and car design are one and the same. Both need voluptuous, sensual, corporal bodies to drive the journey of our dreams. My Citroën Diva and Goddesses were born from the technologies, materials and form that were among the most advanced of their day. And they’re damned good-looking, too. That’s my dream: to marry functionality and form, design and divinity into one perfect product.