OldTimer Barn (Old Iron 5), Belgium

Oldtimer Barn (or Old Iron 5) are two disused classic cars which are stored in a barn in Belgium. They sit at the back of the building, surrounded by farm machinery and old oil barrels.

Citroen DS-21

The most photogenic of the two vehicles is an old Citroen DS-21. This more streamlined nose design was produced between 1968 and 1975. This example features flat door handles, indicting it was produced after 1972. The futuristic body is beautifully flowing, producing a highly aerodynamic shape.

These cars had some very innovative technology for the early 1970’s. They were one of the earliest mass-market cars to use electronic fuel injection, and one of the first with disk brakes. Hydropneumatic self-levelling suspension also provided good handling and a comfortable ride. It would have had a spare tyre under hood.

The headlights are also directional; the inner set of lights turned with steering wheel, being powered hydraulically. They would turn up to 80 degrees to aid seeing around corners. This aided driving at speed on dark bendy roads. The outer set of lights self-levelled in response to the pitch of the car during braking and accelerating.

Ford Consul

Nearby is a cornflower blue Ford Consul, a Mark 1 model manufactured  some time in the between 1951 and 1957. This is a fine example of a British-made 1950’s rear wheel drive vehicle. The Consul marks the start of Ford’s success in the family saloon market, as well as being the first British production car to use the now-common MacPherson strut independent front suspension.

This specific vehicle was likely made after 1952. It features the redesigned asymmetrical dashboard with instruments (consisting of speedometer, ammeter, and fuel gauge) in a housing above the steering column. These models produced after September 1952 also have a long parcel shelf within the dashboard, into which an optional radio could be fitted.