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Citroën

Citroën is a French automobile manufacturer, started in 1919 by André Citroën, today part of PSA Peugeot Citroën. Its headquarters are located in Paris, rue Fructidor.

Originally a mass-market car maker with relatively straightforward designs, Citroën shocked the world in 1934 with the innovative Traction Avant (front wheel drive) (1934-1956). Until the late 1980s the company had a reputation for approaching auto design in a unique way. Later significant models include the H Van (1947-1981, "HY"), 2CV (1948-1990, The "Ugly Duckling"), DS (1955-1975, "Goddess") and CX (1974-1989).

History

The story of Citroën begins with the founder of the company himself, André Citroën. After serving in the French army, he set up a gear-making business, which became identified with the "herringbone" or double helical gear, which is the origin of the Citroën "double chevron" trademark. In 1919, however, the business started to produce automobiles, beginning with the conventional Type A.

In 1924, Citroën began a relationship with American engineer Edward G. Budd. From 1899, Budd had worked to develop pressed-steel bodies for railroad cars, Pullman in particular. Budd went on to manufacture steel bodies for many automakers, Dodge being his first big auto client. In 1928, Citroën introduced the first all-steel body in Europe. By 1930, Budd had created a prototype for Citroën with a unibody and front wheel drive. It was this prototype that evolved into the Onze Légère and 7 CV (5 kW) Traction Avant of 1934. These cars would set the pattern to be followed thirty years later by the Mini, Volkswagen and nearly every other manufacturer.

In the beginning, the cars were successful. But soon competitors, who still used a wood structure for their bodies, introduced aerodynamic body designs on their cars. Citroën had no way to redesign the body of his cars and the cars began to be perceived as old-fashioned. The Citroëns sold in large quantities despite the stylistic drawback, but the car's low price was the main selling point and Citroën experienced heavy losses. That encouraged André Citroën to develop the Traction Avant, a car so innovative that to it the competition would have no response. Achieving quick development of the Traction Avant was, of course, expensive and contributed to the financial ruin of the company.

Citroën also sponsored some expeditions in Asia (Croisière Jaune) and Africa (Croisière Noire), intended to demonstrate the potential for motor vehicles to cross inhospitable regions. The expeditions conveyed scientists and journalists and were a publicity success.

In 1934, debt forced the company into foreclosure; it was then taken over by its biggest creditor, the tire company Michelin.

Citroën unveiled the 2CV at the Paris Salon in 1948. This car become a bestseller and even a 4wd version with 2 engines (Sahara)were sold in limited numbers.

1955 saw the introduction of the DS, which was the first full usage of Citroën's now legendary hydropneumatic suspension system that was first tested on the rear suspension of the last of the Tractions. The DS featured power steering, power brakes and suspension and, from 1968, directional headlights . The same high-pressure system was used to activate pistons located in the gearbox cover to shift the gears in the transmission (gearbox in British - in French transmission means driveshaft) and operate the clutch on their "Citromatic", Citroën's version of a semi-automatic transmission. This high-pressure hydraulic system would form the basis of many Citroën cars, including the SM, GS, CX, BX, XM, Xantia and C5. During Citroën's venture with Maserati the Citroën high pressure hydraulic system was used on several Maserati models for power clutch operation (Bora), power pedals adjustment (Bora), pop-up headlights (Bora, Merak) and brakes (Bora, Merak), and the entire Quattroporte II prototype, which was a four-door Citroën SM under the skin.

In 1965 Citroën took over the French carmaker Panhard in the hope of using Panhard's expertise in midsize cars to complement its own range of very small, cheap cars (e.g. 2CV/Ami) and large, expensive cars (e.g. DS/ID). In 1967 Citroën took control of Maserati, the Italian sports car maker and launched the sports car/Grand Tourer SM, which contained a V6 Maserati engine. This maneuver was unfortunately-timed, with the impending 1973 energy crisis soon to make GT manufacture unprofitable.

Huge losses caused by failure of the Maserati tie-up coupled with crippling warranty costs by the unreliable GS and high development cost of CX led to Peugeot taking over Citroën in 1976. The combined company was known as PSA Peugeot Citroën, PSA sold off Maserati to DeTomaso soon after.

In the 1980s, Citroën models were increasingly Peugeot-based. The BX of 1982 still used the hydropneumatic suspension system, but was powered by Peugeot-derived engines. By the late 1980s, PSA used extensive platform sharing. The XM, for example, used the same engines and floorpan as the Peugeot 605, and the Xantia of 1993 was identical under the skin to the Peugeot 406.

2004 Citroën C4 Coupe

Citroën developed a small car for production in Romania known as the Oltcit, which it also sold as the Citroën Axel.

Citroën's ambitious attitude to engineering and styling was squeezed out in favor of Peugeot conservatism. The ubiquitous 2CV was finally killed off in 1990, production having moved from France to Portugal.

In spite of the problems between Peugeot and Citroën, Citroën has continued its tradition for innovation, exemplified by new vehicles such as the C2 and the Xsara Picasso. It has even expanded into new markets, for example in China where the C3 and Xsara are alongside the ZX Fukang and Elysée local models. The introduction of even newer models, such as the long-awaited XM replacement, the C6, indicates Citroën's continued commitment to innovation in the 21st century.

Proof of this good health, in 2005, for the first time in its history, Citroën is planned to reach a total worldwide production of 1,000,000 cars.

Passenger cars and vans

2002 Citroën Xsara Picasso.
  • 2CV (1948-1990)
  • 8CV Rosalie (1932-1935)
  • 10CV
  • Acadiane (1978-1987)
  • Ami 6 (1961-1971)
  • Ami 8 (1969-1979)
  • Ami Super (1973-1976)
  • Axel (1984-1988)
  • AX (1986-1998)
  • Berlingo (1996- )
  • BX (1982-1994)
  • CX (1974-1989)
  • C1 (2005- )
  • C2 (2004- )
  • C3 (2003- )
  • C4 (2004- )
  • C5 (2001- )
  • C6 (2005- )
  • C7 (2007- )
  • C8 (2002- )
  • C15 (1984-2005)
  • C25 (1981-1993)
  • C35 (1974-1992)
  • Dyane (1967-1984)
  • DS/ID (1955-1975)
  • Elysée ZX derivative for the Chinese market
  • Evasion (1994-2002)
  • FAF
  • GS and GSA (1970-1984)
  • H Van (1947-1981)
  • Jumpy (1995- )
  • Jumper (1994- )
  • LN (1976-1979)
  • LNA (1978-1986)
  • M35 (1970-1971)
  • Méhari (1968-1987)
  • Saxo (1995-2003 )
  • SM (1970-1975)
  • Traction Avant (1934-1957)
  • TUB (1939-1941)
  • Type A (1919-1921)
  • Type B (1921-1928)
  • Type C C2-C3 (1922-1926)
  • Type C C4-C6 (1928-1934)
  • Visa (1978-1988)
  • XM (1989-2000)
  • Xantia (1993-2001)
  • Xsara (1997- )
  • ZX (1991-1997)

Trucks

  • P45 (1934-1953)
  • P46
  • U23
  • 350 to 850 aka Belphegor

Prototypes and Concept Cars

  • Citroën Traction Avant 22CV
  • G Van
  • Prototype C or Coccinelle
  • C-60
  • Project F
  • Mini-Zup (1972)
  • GS Camargue (1972)
  • 2CV Pop (1973)
  • Prototype Y
  • C44 (1980)
  • Karin (1980)
  • Xenia (1981)
  • Eco 2000 (1984)
  • Eole Concept car (1986)
  • Zabrus Bertone Concept car (1986)
  • Activa (1988)
  • Activa II (1990)
  • Citella (1992)
  • Xanae Concept car 1994
  • Osmose Concept car
  • Tulip (1995)
  • C3 Lumière Concept car (1998)
  • C6 Lignage Concept car (1999)
  • Osée Pininfarina Concept car
  • Pluriel Concept car (1999)
  • C-Crosser Concept car (2001)
  • C-Airdream Concept car (2002)
  • C-Airlounge Concept car (2003)
  • C-SportLounge Concept car (2005)
  • C-Airplay Concept car (2005)

Miscellaneous

  • André Citroën's originally Dutch language family name was Citroen, meaning "lemon", as one of his grandfathers was a citrus seller ("limoenman") on Amsterdam's street markets. An old-fashioned nickname for Citroën cars is Citron (lemon, in French).
  • The company's famous "double chevron" logo derives from André Citroën's early business in gear-cutting the company pioneered mass production of double helically-cut gear teeth, which mesh together in a chevron.
  • Citroën is a major competitor in the World Rally Championship, winning the constructor title in 2003, 2004 and 2005. In 2004 and 2005, French driver Sébastien Loeb won the Driver's Championship driving the Citroën Xsara WRC.
  • Citroën also investigated in the early seventies the possibility to produce helicopters using the Wankel engines manufactured by its subsidiary Comotor. Some models, like the Citroën RE2, have been flight tested and still exist.

Citroën's winners of the European Car of the Year award

  • 1971: Citroën GS
  • 1975: Citroën CX
  • 1990: Citroën XM

Citroen's second and third placed entrants in European Car of the Year award

  • 1979: Citroën Visa
  • 1988: Citroën AX
  • 1994: Citroën Xantia
  • 2003: Citroën C3
  • 2005: Citroën C4

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Proof of this good health, in 2005, for the first time in its history, Citroën is planned to reach a total worldwide production of 1,000,000 cars. The fictional seaside town of Watermouth—the setting of Malcolm Bradbury's campus novel The History Man—bears a lot of resemblance to Brighton. The introduction of even newer models, such as the long-awaited XM replacement, the C6, indicates Citroën's continued commitment to innovation in the 21st century. First the Aldrington Tramway (1884-1912), then Brighton Corporation Tramways (1901-1939) ran routes from the Aquarium to Brighton Station (Route S), London Road (Route B), Ditchling Road (route D) and Elm Grove (route E), Lewes Road (Route L), Queens Park (Route Q), New England Hill/Dyke Road (Route N). It has even expanded into new markets, for example in China where the C3 and Xsara are alongside the ZX Fukang and Elysée local models. The building of Brighton Marina in 1970s caused the line to terminate at Black Rock, rather than Rottingdean. In spite of the problems between Peugeot and Citroën, Citroën has continued its tradition for innovation, exemplified by new vehicles such as the C2 and the Xsara Picasso. Volk's Electric Railway, which runs along the beach, is claimed to be the world's oldest operating electric railway and was the electrification model adopted by London Underground.

The ubiquitous 2CV was finally killed off in 1990, production having moved from France to Portugal. The council and bus company run a city-wide realtime bus information service. Citroën's ambitious attitude to engineering and styling was squeezed out in favor of Peugeot conservatism. It was bought by Brighton and Hove, who then merged into the Go-Ahead Group in1993. Citroën developed a small car for production in Romania known as the Oltcit, which it also sold as the Citroën Axel. The former Brighton "Blue Buses" company dates back to the 1880s. The XM, for example, used the same engines and floorpan as the Peugeot 605, and the Xantia of 1993 was identical under the skin to the Peugeot 406. Brighton & Hove Bus and Coach Company operates the local bus service with over 250 buses.

By the late 1980s, PSA used extensive platform sharing. The express London Victoria service takes 51 minutes today, compared with 60 minutes in 1910, 80 minutes in 1859 and up to two hours in 1841. The BX of 1982 still used the hydropneumatic suspension system, but was powered by Peugeot-derived engines. Regular servies also operate to Birmingham New Street and on to Glasgow, Scotland, and via Bristol to Tenby, Wales. In the 1980s, Citroën models were increasingly Peugeot-based. The station provides fast and frequent connections to London Gatwick Airport, London Victoria, London Bridge, and via the Thameslink line, King's Cross, London Luton Airport and Bedford. The combined company was known as PSA Peugeot Citroën, PSA sold off Maserati to DeTomaso soon after. Brighton railway station was built by the London & Brighton Railway in 1840, and in 1970 was saved from redevelopment.

Huge losses caused by failure of the Maserati tie-up coupled with crippling warranty costs by the unreliable GS and high development cost of CX led to Peugeot taking over Citroën in 1976. On 28th October 2005 fans rejoiced when the Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, granted Brighton & Hove Albion permission to build the stadium they had been waiting for since 1995. This maneuver was unfortunately-timed, with the impending 1973 energy crisis soon to make GT manufacture unprofitable. Plans for a new 23,000 seater stadium had been in place since 1998, and Falmer, just north of the city, was chosen as the best location in 1999. In 1967 Citroën took control of Maserati, the Italian sports car maker and launched the sports car/Grand Tourer SM, which contained a V6 Maserati engine. Despite fans not having to make the 140 mile round trip to Kent, the 6000 seater stadium is not suitable for Championship games. DS/ID). Two years of sharing Gillingham's stadium in Kent ended when the team was granted permission to play their home games at the Withdean Sports Complex in Brighton.

2CV/Ami) and large, expensive cars (e.g. Near relegation from Division 3 in 1997, having played their last game at the Goldstone Stadium, saw a new board of directors installed. In 1965 Citroën took over the French carmaker Panhard in the hope of using Panhard's expertise in midsize cars to complement its own range of very small, cheap cars (e.g. In 1995 Brighton & Hove Albion's Goldstone Stadium, in central Hove, was sold without viable plans for an alternative. During Citroën's venture with Maserati the Citroën high pressure hydraulic system was used on several Maserati models for power clutch operation (Bora), power pedals adjustment (Bora), pop-up headlights (Bora, Merak) and brakes (Bora, Merak), and the entire Quattroporte II prototype, which was a four-door Citroën SM under the skin. and the Hove ground of Sussex County Cricket Club, which is used for international one day matches, and the Brighton Bears. This high-pressure hydraulic system would form the basis of many Citroën cars, including the SM, GS, CX, BX, XM, Xantia and C5. Brighton is the home of Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.

The same high-pressure system was used to activate pistons located in the gearbox cover to shift the gears in the transmission (gearbox in British - in French transmission means driveshaft) and operate the clutch on their "Citromatic", Citroën's version of a semi-automatic transmission. Additionally, Brighton has a lively gay and lesbian scene centred in the Kemptown area of the city. The DS featured power steering, power brakes and suspension and, from 1968, directional headlights . Some of the most important clubs in the UK dance music scene are based in Brighton, such as The Honey Club and The Ocean Rooms, and the famous but now rebranded Escape and Zap clubs, which have become Audio and The Union respectively. 1955 saw the introduction of the DS, which was the first full usage of Citroën's now legendary hydropneumatic suspension system that was first tested on the rear suspension of the last of the Tractions. There are a large number of bars and nightclubs in Brighton, though due to problems with binge-drinking and vagrancy, alcohol consumption on the street is now banned in some areas. This car become a bestseller and even a 4wd version with 2 engines (Sahara)were sold in limited numbers. There is also a significant array of local listings and review publications, which serve as a useful showcase for the many local graphic designers.

Citroën unveiled the 2CV at the Paris Salon in 1948. There is a healthy free party scene, which has been in action since the early 90s. In 1934, debt forced the company into foreclosure; it was then taken over by its biggest creditor, the tire company Michelin. Brighton is renowned for its lively music scene, having spawned a number of successful artists, such as The Levellers and Fatboy Slim, and record labels including Skint Records. The expeditions conveyed scientists and journalists and were a publicity success. This has been demonstrated by the Green Party taking 22% of the vote of the Brighton Pavilion constituency in the 2005 general election, versus just 1% nationally. Citroën also sponsored some expeditions in Asia (Croisière Jaune) and Africa (Croisière Noire), intended to demonstrate the potential for motor vehicles to cross inhospitable regions. Brighton is considered a fairly progressive town due to the large numbers of political movements and activities, for instance SchNEWS, a local newsletter.

Achieving quick development of the Traction Avant was, of course, expensive and contributed to the financial ruin of the company. However, the site of the pool itself remains empty except for a skate park and graffiti wall, and further development is planned for the area including a high-rise hotel which has aroused considerable local controversy, mirroring the situation with proposals for the site of the King Alfred leisure centre in neighbouring Hove. That encouraged André Citroën to develop the Traction Avant, a car so innovative that to it the competition would have no response. Since the 1978 demolition of the Art Deco open-air swimming lido at Black Rock, the most easterly part of Brighton's seafront, the area has been developed considerably and now features one of Europe's largest marinas. The Citroëns sold in large quantities despite the stylistic drawback, but the car's low price was the main selling point and Citroën experienced heavy losses. Part of the beach has been designated an official nudist area — one of very few naturist beaches in the United Kingdom to be located adjacent to an urban area. Citroën had no way to redesign the body of his cars and the cars began to be perceived as old-fashioned. In the summer, thousands of young students from all over Europe gather in the city to attend language courses.

But soon competitors, who still used a wood structure for their bodies, introduced aerodynamic body designs on their cars. It is sometimes known as 'London by the Sea' because of its lively atmosphere and cosmopolitan nature and also because of the large number of visitors from London. In the beginning, the cars were successful. Brighton is home to two universities, the University of Sussex and the University of Brighton, as well as a public school, Brighton College. These cars would set the pattern to be followed thirty years later by the Mini, Volkswagen and nearly every other manufacturer. The biggest arts festival in England—the Brighton Festival—takes place in May each year. It was this prototype that evolved into the Onze Légère and 7 CV (5 kW) Traction Avant of 1934. Every August sees a large annual LGBT Pride event which has now become one of the most popular such events in the UK calendar.

By 1930, Budd had created a prototype for Citroën with a unibody and front wheel drive. Some indicators suggest a gay population approaching 25%. In 1928, Citroën introduced the first all-steel body in Europe. The city has a large Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community, mainly based in the Kemptown area of the city. Budd went on to manufacture steel bodies for many automakers, Dodge being his first big auto client. named for the Hanoverian monarchy of the day. From 1899, Budd had worked to develop pressed-steel bodies for railroad cars, Pullman in particular. Hilly Laine, on the east slope facing North Laine is now generally known as 'Hanover', such name coming from the early nineteenth century terraces at the base of the hill: Hanover Crescent, Hanover Terrace et al.

Budd. The North Laine area still keeps the original spelling. In 1924, Citroën began a relationship with American engineer Edward G. That name was derived from 'Laine', which was apparently an old unit of Anglo-Saxon field measurement. In 1919, however, the business started to produce automobiles, beginning with the conventional Type A. In Brighton, the area occupied by the original fishing village has become The Lanes — a collection of narrow alleyways now filled with a mixture of antique shops, restaurants, bistros and pubs. After serving in the French army, he set up a gear-making business, which became identified with the "herringbone" or double helical gear, which is the origin of the Citroën "double chevron" trademark. However, no member of the cabinet was killed.

The story of Citroën begins with the founder of the company himself, André Citroën. The Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher, narrowly escaped injury, although members of her Government were injured — most notably Norman Tebbit. . Four people were killed in the blast (including Sir Anthony Berry), and Norman Tebbit's wife subsequently died of her injuries. Later significant models include the H Van (1947-1981, "HY"), 2CV (1948-1990, The "Ugly Duckling"), DS (1955-1975, "Goddess") and CX (1974-1989). In the early hours of October 12th 1984 an IRA bomb exploded in the Grand Hotel where leading members of the governing Conservative Party were staying. Until the late 1980s the company had a reputation for approaching auto design in a unique way. The stubby remains of some of the pier's iron piles, sunk ten feet into bedrock, can still be seen at the most extreme low tides.

Originally a mass-market car maker with relatively straightforward designs, Citroën shocked the world in 1934 with the innovative Traction Avant (front wheel drive) (1934-1956). They were saved this task by a storm which destroyed the already closed and rather decrepit pier on December 4, 1896. Its headquarters are located in Paris, rue Fructidor. The Chain Pier survived the construction of the West Pier, but a condition for permission to build the Palace Pier was that the builders would dismantle the oldest pier. Citroën is a French automobile manufacturer, started in 1919 by André Citroën, today part of PSA Peugeot Citroën. An esplanade with an entrance toll-booth controlled access to the pier which was roughly in line with today's New Steine. 2005: Citroën C4. The pier was primarily intended as a landing stage, Brighton having no natural harbour, but it also featured a small number of attractions including initially a camera obscura.

2003: Citroën C3. Brighton had one further major pier, the Brighton Chain Suspension Pier ("Chain Pier") of 1823. 1994: Citroën Xantia. However, in September 2005 the Trust revealed in their newsletter that they are forming further plans to rebuild the original structure with help from private funding. 1988: Citroën AX. Finally, in December 2004, the Trust admitted defeat, after their plans were rejected by the Heritage Lottery Fund and subsequent less ambitious plans to restore only the oldest, structural parts of the pier were also rejected by English Heritage. 1979: Citroën Visa. Despite all these setbacks, the owner of the site West Pier Trust remained adamant they would soon begin full restoration work.

1990: Citroën XM. On June 23, 2004 high winds caused the middle of the pier to completely collapse. 1975: Citroën CX. The West Pier Trust refers to the fires as the work of 'professional arsonists', (notwithstanding that there is no evidence linking the fires to the owners of the Palace Pier). 1971: Citroën GS. Arson was suspected. Some models, like the Citroën RE2, have been flight tested and still exist. On May 12, 2003, another fire broke out, consuming most of what was left of the concert hall.

Citroën also investigated in the early seventies the possibility to produce helicopters using the Wankel engines manufactured by its subsidiary Comotor. The cause of the fire remains unknown. In 2004 and 2005, French driver Sébastien Loeb won the Driver's Championship driving the Citroën Xsara WRC. Firefighters were unable to save the building from destruction because they could not reach the end of the pier - the previous collapse had destroyed the walkway. Citroën is a major competitor in the World Rally Championship, winning the constructor title in 2003, 2004 and 2005. On March 28, 2003 the pavilion at the end of the pier caught fire. The company's famous "double chevron" logo derives from André Citroën's early business in gear-cutting the company pioneered mass production of double helically-cut gear teeth, which mesh together in a chevron. On January 20, 2003 a further collapse saw the destruction of the concert hall in the middle of the pier.

An old-fashioned nickname for Citroën cars is Citron (lemon, in French). The West Pier partially collapsed on December 29, 2002 when a walkway connecting the concert hall and pavilion fell into the sea after being battered by storms. André Citroën's originally Dutch language family name was Citroen, meaning "lemon", as one of his grandfathers was a citrus seller ("limoenman") on Amsterdam's street markets. The restoration was also opposed by the owners of the Brighton Pier, who reportedly saw its subsidised rebuilding, were it to happen, as unfair competition. C-Airplay Concept car (2005). Plans by The West Pier Trust to renovate the pier with help from Heritage Lottery Fund have been opposed by some local residents who claimed that the proposed new onshore structures — which the renovators needed to pay for the work on the pier — would obstruct their view of the sea. C-SportLounge Concept car (2005). The West Pier is one of only two Grade 1 listed piers in the UK, the other being Clevedon Pier.

C-Airlounge Concept car (2003). The older West Pier, built in 1866 by Eugenius Birch, has been closed and deteriorating since 1975, awaiting renovation. C-Airdream Concept car (2002). It suffered a large fire on 4 February 2003 but the damage was limited and most of the pier was able to reopen the next day. C-Crosser Concept car (2001). The Brighton Marine Palace and Pier, generally known as the Palace Pier before being unofficially renamed by its current owners as Brighton Pier in 2000, opened in May 1899 and is still popular. Pluriel Concept car (1999). Luckily this proved not to be the case - a consortium formed by residents and owners were able to wrestle the freehold of the building from the previous inneffectual management company, and restoration commenced in 2004.

Osée Pininfarina Concept car. The building made the local press after chunks of render and windows fell from the building onto the street below, and it appeared until recently that it may suffer the same ignomious fate met by the West Pier sat opposite it, which finally succumbed to the elements (and arsonists) in early 2004. C6 Lignage Concept car (1999). When built in 1935, designed by architect Welles Coates, the building contrasted sharply with the more sedate and ornamental architecture of King's Road; but by the 1990s, the structure drew comment because of its terribly run down nature. C3 Lumière Concept car (1998). Embassy Court is one of the most striking buildings on the seafront at Brighton and Hove, although the reasons for this have differed over the years. Tulip (1995). Brighton, with its cutting edge scene, is hard to imagine without the 20,000+ students of the now two Universities.

Osmose Concept car. The University has aquired a strong academic reputation, not least in left-leaning humanities subjects. Xanae Concept car 1994. The single most important postwar development was the opening in the mid sixties of Sussex University, designed by Sir Basil Spence. Citella (1992). Pubs and restaurants are abundant. Activa II (1990). The growth in mass tourism stimulated numerous Brighton businesses to serve the insatiable appetites of the holidaying masses.

Activa (1988). In many ways, Brighton's postwar growth has been a continuation of the 'fashionable Brighton' that drew the Georgian upper classes at the beginning of its recent history. Zabrus Bertone Concept car (1986). Brighton's character evolved over the course of the twentieth century but not so as to leave it unrecognisable. Eole Concept car (1986). Visitors were further encouraged by the arrival of the London and Brighton Railway in 1840, which also established one of the first railway-owned locomotive works. Eco 2000 (1984). The Kemp Town estate (at the heart of the Kemptown district) was constructed between 1823 and 1855, and is a good example of Regency architecture.

Xenia (1981). Eventually he spent much of his leisure time in the town and constructed the exotic-looking Royal Pavilion, which is the town's best-known landmark. Karin (1980). The growth of the town was further encouraged when, in 1786, the young Prince Regent later King George IV, rented a farmhouse in order to escape from public life. C44 (1980). By 1780, development of the Regency terraces had started and the town quickly became the fashionable resort of Brighton. Prototype Y. Currently approaching the conclusion of its ambitious restoration, Marlborough House on the Steine was built by Robert Adam in 1765 and purchased shortly afterwards by the eponymous Duke.

2CV Pop (1973). He set up house there and before long, the rich and the sick had started to make their way to the seaside. GS Camargue (1972). Brighthelmstone began to change in 1753 when Dr Richard Russell of Lewes published his thesis on sea bathing, which proclaimed the benefit to health of the salt water of Brighton. Mini-Zup (1972). Brighton remained a small fishing village up until the 18th century. Project F. A display copy of the map can be seen in Hove Museum.

C-60. Part of their 'pitch' was an illustrated map (1545) showing the French raid of 1511. Prototype C or Coccinelle. Later on in Henry's reign, the residents of the town petitioned the monarch for defensive cannon. G Van. In June 1514, the fishing village then known as Brighthelmstone was burnt to the ground by the French as part of a war between the two which began as a result of the Treaty of Westminster (1511). Citroën Traction Avant 22CV. It is now a pub.

350 to 850 aka Belphegor. A medieval priory on the site of the present Town Hall has left no visible trace, though Hangleton Manor to the north of the suburb of Portslade is a sixteenth century flint manor building, very well preserved, juxtaposed in amongst a twentieth century housing estate. U23. The church contracted through ruin down to just this part, before nineteenth century restoration returned it to the comparably mighty edifice visible today. P46. While other ecclesiastical buildings in Brighton date from the post-Russell period, St Andrew's Church on Church Road, Hove has a dramatic thirteenth century nave. P45 (1934-1953). As such, it is among the oldest art in Brighton.

ZX (1991-1997). A medieval fresco depicting the murder of Thomas a Beckett was discovered under paint following a fire in the early part of the twentieth century. Xsara (1997- ). Although the present day manor house is relatively recent in construction, the church — St Peters, currently under the care of the Churches Conservation Trust — is fourteenth century. Xantia (1993-2001). From the manorial system, Preston manor lingers on today as a museum. XM (1989-2000). In the Domesday Book, Brighton was called Bristemestune and a rent of 4000 herring was established.

Visa (1978-1988). The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle contains the first mention of a settlement in the area at Beorthelm's-tun (the town of Beorthelm). Type C C4-C6 (1928-1934). In the thirties, the garage owner had a small display of Roman statues and broaches in the forecourt shop. Type C C2-C3 (1922-1926). Numerous artefacts were found as well as the foundations of the building. Type B (1921-1928). The villa was excavated in the 1930s prior to the building of a (now gone) garage on the site.

Type A (1919-1921). The villa was sited more or less at the water's edge, immediately south of Preston Park — which area itself would perhaps have been part of the outer grounds. TUB (1939-1941). At the time of its construction in the late first or second century AD there was a river running along what is now the tarmac of London Road. Traction Avant (1934-1957). Having conquered Britannica (43AD), and after brutally surpressing the Boudicaen counter-invasion (61AD), the Romans built villas throughout Sussex and indeed there was a villa in Brighton. SM (1970-1975). Cissbury Ring, at a distance of about ten miles from Hollingbury and quite awesome in its construction, is reckoned by some to have been the tribal 'capital'.

Saxo (1995-2003 ). Hollingbury is one of numerous 'hillforts' found across southern Britain. Méhari (1968-1987). As a 'ball park figure', its diameter is about 300 metres. M35 (1970-1971). Commanding panoramic views over Brighton, this Celtic Iron Age encampment is circumscribed by substantial earthwork outer walls. LNA (1978-1986). Undoubtedly the single most impressive pre-Roman site in Brighton is Hollingbury Camp.

LN (1976-1979). Made of translucent red Baltic Amber and approximately the same size as a regular china teacup, the impressive artefact can be seen in Hove Museum. Jumper (1994- ). A defining point on the landscape since at least 1500BC, this 20 foot high tomb yielded, amongst other treasures, the Hove Amber Cup. Jumpy (1995- ). During nineteenth century building work near Palmeira Square, workmen tasked with removing an earth mound 'excavated' a significant burial mound. H Van (1947-1981). Of considerable interest from the middle Bronze Age is the Hove Amber Cup.

GS and GSA (1970-1984). After a scholarly review, Paul Harwood of Birmingham's Institute of Archaeology & Antiquity noted that "there are a concentration of Beaker burials on the fringes of the central chalklands around Brighton, and a later cluster of Early and Middle Bronze Age ‘rich graves' in the same area.". FAF. A standing stone circle nearby (today's Hove Park) is documented up to 1820, when the farmer had had one too many "antiquarians" traipsing over his crop and buried the stones. Evasion (1994-2002). There is a plaque telling us it was believed to be in use (ceremonial? geomantic?) around 2000BC. Elysée ZX derivative for the Chinese market. More of prehistoric Brighton and Hove can be observed just north of the small retail park on Old Shoreham Road, built over the site of the town's football ground in the late 1990s, where you can visit The Goldstone.

DS/ID (1955-1975). The building of a new housing estate in the early nineties over the South Eastern portion of the enclosure resulted in damage to the archeology, the loss of the ancient panoramic view and a diminishment in atmosphere of the historical site. Dyane (1967-1984). Significant vestiges of the mounds remain and you can trace their arc with the eye. C35 (1974-1992). There are four concentric circles of ditches and mounds, broken or 'causewayed' in many places. C25 (1981-1993). The centre of this early Neolithic causewayed enclosure c.3500BC is someway toward the aerial mast on the south side of Manor Road, opposite the grandstand.

C15 (1984-2005). Whitehawk Camp — a natural viewpoint — is bisected by Manor Road. C8 (2002- ). While any British history predating the first mentions by literate Romans is, by definition, consigned to an obscured landscape known intimidatingly as 'prehistory', a few things are known about the area. C7 (2007- ). . C6 (2005- ). The two boroughs were joined together to form the unitary authority of Brighton & Hove in 1997, which in 2000 was granted city status by the Queen as part of the millennial celebrations, following competition from other large towns which coveted city status.

C5 (2001- ). Brighton's lively atmosphere is a direct contrast to its near neighbour, Hove which has quieter and more refined character. C4 (2004- ). Brighton and Hove form a single conurbation. C3 (2003- ). Brighton on the southern Sussex coast is one of the largest and most famous seaside resorts in England. C2 (2004- ). MirrorMask (2005).

C1 (2005- ). Wimbledon (2004). CX (1974-1989). The Chalk Garden (1963). BX (1982-1994). Carry On At Your Convenience (1971). Berlingo (1996- ). Carry On Girls (1973).

AX (1986-1998). Circus (2000). Axel (1984-1988). Mona Lisa (1986). Ami Super (1973-1976). Me Without You. Ami 8 (1969-1979). The End Of The Affair.

Ami 6 (1961-1971). Dirty Weekend (1993). Acadiane (1978-1987). Oh! What A Lovely War (1969). 10CV. Quadrophenia (1979) Franc Roddam. 8CV Rosalie (1932-1935). Genevieve (1953) Henry Cornelius.

2CV (1948-1990). Brighton Rock (1947) John Boulting. Helen Zahavi. William Makepeace Thackeray. Nigel Richardson.

Louise Rennison. Phillip Reeve. Robert Rankin:. Henry James.

Patrick Hamilton. Graham Greene. George Gissing:. Jane Austen:.

Mark Williams, star of The Fast Show and the Harry Potter films. Rachel Whiteread, artist and Turner Prize winner. Keith Tyson, artist and Turner Prize winner. Dusty Springfield, lived at Wilbury Road, Hove & formed band The Springfields there.

Jimmy Somerville, 1990s pop star formerly of band The Communards. Captain Sensible. Dame Flora Robson, 1960 until her death in 1984. Robert Rankin, Fiction author.

Katie Price, model (also known as Jordan). Patsy Palmer, ex-EastEnders television actress. Lord Lawrence Olivier & Joan Plowright, lived at Royal Crescent, Kemptown 1960 to 1978. Dame Anna Neagle, lived at Lewes Crescent, Kemptown.

Bob Meek, journalist. Paul McCartney, musician, and his wife Heather Mills McCartney, designer (Hove). Ida Lupino, C1914 to C1949. Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London.

Vivien Leigh. Prince Peter Alexeevich Kropotkin, 1912 to 1917. Rudyard Kipling, 1897 to 1903. James Herbert, author.

Phil Hartnoll, of band Orbital. Graham Greene. Michael Fabricant MP, born in Brighton in 1950 and educated at the Brighton and Hove Grammar School. Chris Eubank, ex-boxer.

Roger Dean. Ashes scattered at Devil's Dyke. Aleister Crowley, died in a nursing home in Brighton in December 1947. Gaz Coombes, lead singer of Supergrass.

Formerly of band The Housemartins (Hove). Norman Cook aka Fatboy Slim, musician & DJ. Steve Coogan. Julian Clary, comedian.

Sir Winston Churchill, attended school. Nick Cave. Sir Edward Burne-Jones, 1880 to 1898. Julie Burchill, journalist.

Dora Bryan. Cate Blanchett. Steve Cornflower, Björk's new german boyfriend. Björk.

Patrick Bergin, star of films including Sleeping with the Enemy and Patriot Games. Aubrey Beardsley, born in Brighton 1872, and for some time lived at Lower Rock Gardens, Kemptown. Michael "Atters" Attree, satirist. Richard Attenborough.