Letters from readers, cont-1., November 1960

PRICES IN PARIS

Several readers’ letters have been published recently, both in MotorSport and in other motoring journals, comparing the merits of English and Continental cars. Mr. Cropp (August 1960) prefers his Rover 100 to a Citroen ID19 as many other drivers may, but he considers them comparable in price. In England this is true, but even though the Citroen is assembled in England it carries a substantial quantity of import duty.

Non European residents have the opportunity of choosing a motor car and paying the basic price in the country of origin. I wonder whether Mr. Cropp would still buy a Rover 100 for £1,035 when he could go to Paris and buy a Citroen ID19 for £648, a Peugeot 403 at £502, or a Simca Montlhery for £425 ?

If tariff restrictions were entirely removed the English manufacturer would be hard-pressed to sell their products on the home market, except perhaps to hyperpatriots.

M. G. EMSLEY