Robert Opron obituary

French car designer who helped create three of Citroen's most popular vehicles

From the 1930s to the 1970s, Citroen cars featured distinctive designs that always seemed typically French, usually quirky, often innovative, sometimes ugly, but at their best very elegant. One of their creators was Robert Opron, who has died aged 89 from Covid-19 complications.

Opron was Citroen's chief designer from 1964 to 1974. During that time he and his team were responsible for three landmark cars: the SM coupe and the GS small family car, both introduced in 1970, and the larger CX saloon of 1974. All three demonstrated a preoccupation with good aerodynamics. The GS and the CX were, respectively, chosen as the European Car of the Year in 1971 and 1975.

Continue reading...