ID 19 at the Monte Carlo rally
The Company in 1959
- Accords entre Citroën et la société sud-africaine Atlanta Industries (Pty) Ltd et, plus tard, la Stanley Motors Ltd, pour le montage de l'ID Citroën signs an agreement with the South African company, Atlanta Industries (Pty) Ltd, and later with Stanley Motors Ltd, for the assembly of the ID 19 in Johannesburg. The objective is to overcome import limitations and increase sales.
- Scientific data processing takes its first steps. Citroën is invited to show the DS at the Milan Triennale, the international exhibition of art and design chaired by the architect Gio Ponti.
- An ID 19 driven by Coltelloni, Alexandre and Desrosiers wins the Monte Carlo Rally. As a result, Citroën decides to take part in road races and signs an agreement with René Cotton, director of the Paris Ile-de-France Stable. Coltelloni is European Rally Champion in 1959.
- annaul production : 286 892 véhicules.
The models in 1959
- The cab of the Type 47 DIP bus is moved forward to increase interior space. A total 36 passengers can be seated, compared with 29 on the previous version. The model remains in production until 1963.
In the news 1959
- General de Gaulle declares that Algeria has the right to self-determination.
- The European Parliament meets for the first time in Strasbourg.
- In Cuba, Fidel Castro becomes Prime Minister and Head of Government.
- The "nouvelle vague" of French cinema is bornwith films such as François Truffaut's The 400 Blows, Alain Resnais' Hiroshima mon Amour and Claude Chabrol's Handsome Serge. Gunter Grass writes The Tin Drum and Robert Bolt A Man for All Seasons.