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Founded in 2014, the Citroën DS Club Hong Kong brings together 350 collecting members, who own a total of 200 vehicles. A living encyclopedia of the brand, Kelvin Iu, the club's chairman, shares his passion with CDLP.

Why such a passion for Citroën?

The first Citroën to catch my attention was the C4, in 2006 when I was just 11 years old. I thought it was so cool when the center part of the steering wheel stayed as you turned, which blew my mind. I learned that Citroën cars are all so unique, especially the classic ones, and I read about everything Citroën on the internet. I researched its history in Hong Kong and managed to find some old advertisements in newspapers, which amazed me－especially how early they were introduced to the Hong Kong market. I also watched tons of old Hong Kong movies, mostly from the '50s to '70s, just to find shots of Citroën in the city.

What's the process of joining the club?

It's not necessary to own a Citroën to join. As long as one is interested to learn about Citroën, all are welcome－and they can join our Facebook group hkdsclub to find out more.

What's the brand's history in Hong Kong and why are so few of them seen on our streets today?

Hong Kong's first agent, Messrs. Bitto & Co Ltd, was established in 1922. Although Citroën was popular in the '70s, it later became unpopular in Hong Kong due to a bad reputation for its complicated suspension system and its reliability. Because of Citroën's uniqueness, mechanics in Hong Kong often refuse to repair them, as they require special skills and patience.

What car are you driving now? And what's your dream Citroën?

I'm driving a 2014 DS3 Cabrio Racing. My dream Citroën is the Ami 6 from the '60s. I like its quirky styling and it brings me so much joy just to look at it. I think the Ami 6 is a typical Citroën, as it's a loveor-hate relationship. Some even say it's the ugliest car in the world. But I think it would be a blast to drive, as it shares the 2CV platform.

What are the rarest, the oldest and the most recent Citroëns in the club?

The oldest and rarest classic Citroën is a 1967 DS21 Safari. There's only one in Hong Kong and it was bought by our vice-president, Michaël Noronha, at an auction in the UK. The rarest modern Citroën is my 2014 DS3 Cabrio Racing. Only one in ten is right-hand drive, out of 100 in the world, and it's also the only one in Hong Kong; I bought it from a Citroën dealer in Ireland. The most recent is a 2019 C3 Aircross.