Handwritten note from Paul Magès to Mr. Rollier announcing his retirement (1973)

In this document

This is a handwritten note by Paul Magès, signed "Magès. BEA", addressed to Mr. Rollier, dated 22 February 1973 p. 1.

The announcement of the decision

Magès informs the recipient of his "decision of 12 February regarding [his] retirement", wondering if a certain "Mr. Grosseau" has already spoken to Rollier about it p. 1.

The reasons given

He explains that he has observed that his "opinion on the evolution of future vehicles" no longer arouses "the interest that one had been willing to acknowledge at the end of 1966", and that even when set out in writing, it "triggers no echo" p. 1. A footnote, marked with an asterisk, specifies that "Mr. Grosseau gave you a report on the Wankel in the month of November" p. 1 — an implicit comparison with the lack of echo mentioned just before.

Professional regrets

Magès says he has "difficulty abandoning the 'L' before it has acquired everything expected of it" p. 1, as well as leaving the development of a transmission — the word is noted as "[uncertain]" in the transcription, so it cannot be stated with certainty — on which an "admirable team" had been working for "15 years" p. 1.

A door left open

He concludes by indicating that he would "possibly" agree to devote part of his time to this project, but only if Rollier judges that it serves "the interest of Citroën and not to please [him]" p. 1.

Context

Paul Magès is, in the history of Citroën, the engineer associated with the hydropneumatic suspension, a flagship system of the DS then adapted to other models of the brand. In the early 1970s, Citroën was going through a period of technological change and industrial mergers (notably with the Wankel rotary engine, explored via the Comotor joint venture). This 1973 note shortly precedes his actual departure: he would retire from Citroën in September 1974, after 49 years with the company (photographs of the retirement ; letter from Mr. Meignan). These elements of general context do not appear by name in the document, except for the mention of the Wankel in a footnote.

Archivist's perspective

This note offers a rare personal and non-technical glimpse of Paul Magès: it reveals a form of weariness or misunderstanding in the face of a perceived lack of interest from his hierarchy, despite decades of investment p. 1.

The "transmission" project mentioned, led for fifteen years by a team he says he "instilled with faith", seems to have occupied an important place in his final years of activity — without it being possible, as this document stands, to identify it with certainty beyond the uncertain word noted in the transcription p. 1.

The acronym "'L'" also remains unspecified in the document: it could designate a project or a vehicle internal to Citroën, but no key to interpretation is provided here.

This piece is probably part of a larger file devoted to the end of Magès's career, as evidenced by the very title of the parent archive, 1973. Paul MAGES requests his retirement — a departure which, as we know otherwise, would only materialize in September 1974, and would be followed by an active retirement in Ramatuelle (Var), where Magès would become a municipal councillor and then 2nd deputy mayor (list of members of the municipal council of Ramatuelle).