Citroens around France - Part 2

[handyman]

Six wheeler CXs are still available from CX-Basis, the rather expensive firm in Germany, who will extend your donor vehicle for a price!

I have seen one of their conversions and thought it was well done, neat and tidy.

I'd have a hard job with SWMBO to convince her of the merits of buying a six wheeler CX from the middle of France. I'm slowly bringing her round to the advantages of a left-hook V6 Activa, don't want to stir up the nest just yet!

I'm going again shortly, so I'll carry on looking around the area I go to, as I know these cars or HYs have a habit of turning up when least expected.

Handyman

[Citroenmad]

There is that silver CX Safari 6 wheeler which was converted by them within the last few years, its an excellent job and very desirble to people who like that kind of think, I do!

There is always more interest for me in things that were made by large companies when they were new, you can buy a lot of things and have a lot of things made, but you can't buy or make originality, and that is what is most appealing to me about interesting cars.

I didn't know 6 wheel BXs were made, by Pijpops, they look nice but I have never seen on in the metal.

There is an original CX Loadrunner (I thin one of the cars used for transporting papers across countries) in the UK and awaiting/currently getting restored. That will be nice to see once its back on the road.

Your right, if you went looking for such rare cars you would never find them, you do tend to just come across them.

[Citroening]

Here's Phil's website of this Loadrunner - Link.

...talking of CX 6 Wheelers, I have heard on the grape-vine that there is a CX Transporter residing in the UK - funnily enough not too far from here either!

Not the best picture in the world but gives you an idea - link.

[DickieG]

I can't help thinking what is the point in a six wheeler car or even van other than the novelty value? By design the handling must be 'interesting' with a poor turning circle, I'd dread to think of the tyre wear rate. If you want a larger vehicle why go the expense of a custom design when you can simply buy another larger design off the shelf?

Having said that I can see the wheeze factor in your six wheeled C15 but from a commercial point of view it must be a no brainer, buy a longer van such as a LWB Transit, sorted off the shelf at lower cost and no problems trying to find that one off buyer come resale time or issues around obtaining spares such as custom exhausts.

[Citroenmad]

Not for a novelty value, they really have their uses.

The 6 wheel C15s were built for the narrow side streets in France, to deliver wine, flowers etc to back entrances of shops. There were many variants (although only a few were built), there were fridge vans, pickups, I have even seen a bin lorry version.

Our C15 has been excellent, it seats 5 people (has a rear footwell unlike the normal vans) it has a huge boot and its very refined too. I have driven Transits and even the new T5 VW but in van for they are so noisey, really surprising. Also a Transit or T4/T5 with seats is not a common sight and are options.

As for resale, we have had many an offer for our C15 and it would not be a problem to sell. Its also worth a lot more than a 15 year old Transit!

Everyone has a Transit or similar, why not have something different, somehting which stand out, a talking point, something no one else has and which appeals to a few people.

Our C15 was used for our Citroen specialist business for a lot of years, it then took over other duties when my dad changed jobs, it was ideal and better than a van because its cargo area and seats are split up. When it was retired we replaced it with a T4 VW Caravelle, which did the job.

As for the drive, the grip is excellent, stability is fantastic too. You might think it would want to push on, having 4 wheels at the back, but it doesn't. When pushing on its grip is excellent, it drives very well and its a joy to drive. Tyre wear is not bad at all, about 20K miles from the front tyres and 25K from the 4 rears.

Parts, well the rear side door is totally unique, and the side panels were fabricated. So if it was involved in an accident it would be extremely hard to repair and I doubt you could ever find another door. It also has other things such as the rear seats, foot well etc which are for this van. Therefore you could never make another genuine one either.

I like things that are different, its what makes life interesting! Anyone can buy a Transit.

The fact I often get people driving along side and taking videos/photos with their camera/phone of the C15 makes it rather special. For similar reasons is why we love our 6H and why its one of the most desirable of all Tractions. Its differet and often that is what is appealing about cars.

A CX Tissier is really something, if its an ambulance if offers an excellent ride quality, if its a car transporter stability and the ability to lower its suspension is ideal and for a loadrunner the self levelling its a real bonus.

Something which stands out is also ideal for business advertising, as you see the vehicle and then read the sign writing.

Above all, its the rarity factor and its something different, I like that.

And that is partly why I like French cars, as a lot of them offer something different than the opposition, even if it is something simple or something other people dont know about or apprciate.

[handyman]

Well said, that man!

H

[magictorch]

I had one of the best holidays I can remember camping just outside Sarlat. What a lovely part of the world. I hope to return there soon. Thanks for the lovely images of the retired French automotive history.

Au revoir
Jamie

[Citroenmad]

Sarlat is a really fantastic place to visit, as are so many other villages and towns around it. Domme is really worth a visit too.

It seems to be that food is abot twice the price as in the UK due to the exchange rate, not like it was years back when coming to France used to be half what it was in the UK. Fuel is similar if not slightly cheaper, though very very few main fuel stations around here, most are supermarkets.

Today we saw a Traction, we pulled up just as its owner was putting it into the garage so we got talking. He had another two Tractions in the garage, on was a 38 roadster and the other a 54 big 6, all in excellent condition and bearing most of the original accessories available for them. He is the president of the French Traction Owners Club. So that was quite by chance and quite nice to see too.

I also spotted a very very tidy DS today, in pale gold with an immaculate interior. It looked like it had just rolled out of the factory, very nice.

I have spotted so many of the 2CV family and R4s now that they are becomming a common sight! I have seem 4 Xm estates and many hatchbacks too, mainly all S1s. Xantias are everywhere, mostly in very basic trim levels. I did see a C5 ambulance with a big extension and high roof on the back, quite unusual. Today I saw a pair of 2Cv racing boats ...

Its been quite wet the past few days but many sight seeing has been done and its still warm.

[Citroenmad]

Here's Phil's website of this Loadrunner - Link.

...talking of CX 6 Wheelers, I have heard on the grape-vine that there is a CX Transporter residing in the UK - funnily enough not too far from here either!

Not the best picture in the world but gives you an idea - link.

I was meaning to pick up on this before

That is very interesting, I have not heard about it, do you have any more details on it?

Im surprised you have not seen it, being close and a CX!

That is an 8 wheeler in the picture you linked too, is it the 8 wheel version or the 6? I would like to see that


Just drove into the local French village to get some bread, on my way I passed a parked S1 Activa in silver, probably a TCT as no other badges and single exhaust but with the Activa from (so not a 2.0 16v), a 3.5 V6 Vel Satis and a 2.2 Vel Satis and also an Avantime in a silvery/green colour. There was also a nice Dyanne and a really tatty beige Visa in the carpark too, I had left my camera at the house.

[Citroenmad]

A few more:


I saw another H-van today too, driving towards me, oddly enough it was on English plates







Ami 8 with Ami 6 Front

[addo]

I like the "rat" look of that last Ami. Well composed picture.

[Citroenmad]

That has a full roll cage and racing seats, must be a bit of a racer!

[Citroenmad]

Spotted a very interesting looking XM, its paint is scorched but the blue seems an unusual colour, the grey doors are option I think!

Its a 2.1TD, badged 'Turbo_D 12'

[Citroening]

...that blue looks like the same colour that David's 'half' 24v is - Link.

Unusual though!