1923 was apparently an auspicious year for Australia. It was, according to Citroen's General Manager in Australia, Miles Williams, the year in which the French marque arrived in the country, debuting with Vegemite and the Violet Crumble Bar.

The company is celebrating this occasion with a limited run of the C4 HDi EGS model, equipped with Bluetooth, five-disc CD audio system, 16-inch alloy wheels and dual-zone climate control, for a price of $31,990, inclusive of on-road costs.

"The fact that we are marking the 85th Anniversary of Citroen in Australia with the C4 HDi EGS, one of the most economical cars available in Australia, is highly appropriate," explains Williams.

"Back in 1923 Phipps and Seery completed the run from Adelaide to Freemantle at an average of 43 mpg, so then, as now, Citroen is providing Australian car buyers with highly economical cars that are ideal for Australian conditions."

The 5CV model driven by the team of W J Phipps and J Seery, covered the 5000km journey from east coast to west coast in 18 days, quite a feat at the time.

Two years later, Neville Westwood, driving a used 5CV with 48,000km on the clock before he took delivery of it, circumnavigated the continent. Westwood left Perth on August 4, 1925 and returned to the western capital on December 30 the same year. During that period, he travelled 18,000km -- frequently shipping the Citroen across rivers on inflated cattle skins.

The 5CV remained in the Westwood family until 2005, when it was acquired by the National Motor Museum. It has been fully restored and is on display at the museum.

To comment on this article click here