Croatia: Citroen centenary celebrated by thousands

BELGRADE, Serbia (AA) - Thousands of classic car enthusiasts Friday gathered in Croatia to mark the 100th foundation anniversary of the French carmakers Citroen.

"23rd World Citroen 2CV Meeting" held in Samobor city near capital Zagreb saw around 3000 classic cars driven from 37 different countries.

Citroen 2CV is one of the most popular cars in the region once the former Yugoslavia stood once and it is commonly known as "Spacek".

The participants gathered in Samobor for a joint tour around the city before they headed to the main square in Zagreb among a huge interest from the public.

Custom paint works and personalized interiors exhibited a scene where residence and participants momentarily were taken back through history.

President of the Croatian Citroen 2CV Club Goran Skrbin said that his interest for Spacek began during his childhood, adding that his father Branko was also a true enthusiast.

Skrbin also mentioned the admiration of Spacek in the former Yugoslavia. He said the Slovenians show a special interest in the model because of the production of this vehicle in Koper city of Slovenia.

James Darley, who came to the meeting with his wife Diana from the U.K. said that it took them six days to arrive Croatia."This car brings friendship. People are waving and saluting you as you drive. This is a car that brings luck," said Darley.

Citroen was founded in 1919 by the French industrialist Andre-Gustave Citroen.

The company produced 2CV model the first time in 1948. Car enthusiasts consider it among the symbolic classic cars.

The production of the car has ended in 1990. However, 2CV enthusiasts meet every two years in a different European country.