RE: SOTW: Citroen CX Familiale

[JayMan]

Seal up all the windows and doors.

Turn it upside down.

Cut out the floorpan.

See where im going here.....

Bolt on outboard.

What a lovely boat you would have!

[timewatch]

dinkel said:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qjCrzOzN30

And:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomasbecker/gallerie...


1979 Citroën CX Tissier: cooler than an SM . . .

Should that not read, Citroen CX Tosser?

TW>>>

[skicat]

Ah happy memories. This was the first car I ever pranged. I reversed one into a belisha beacon on Whitley Bay seafront.

[2woody]

without a doubt the worst car I ever drove

[the fury]

Mark34bn said:

My uncle had a couple of CX's in the late 70's. Couldn't have been more different to the Viva dad had at the time...
I like these but would never be brave enough to actually own one (if there are any still about)



I'd rather have a W124 estate but one can dream....

That 6 wheeler is simply the coolest thing EVER!

[iantek]

Did it really come from the factory with six wheels? Or is somebody playing at Thunderbirds?

[Nickellarse]

Uber cool, though you'd never have one for fear of it rotting in front of your eyes.

However, if you are a proper fan then you'd have a DS. Now that really was a ground breaking car. You could get a cheap shed priced one and do it up...

Good shedding!

[Sivraj]

r129sl said:

It is both worrying and reassuring how few people are capable of independent thought. The Citroen CX obviously is one of the all-time-great motor cars, especially in Familiale or Safari guise. The whole point about it is that it is not "a 5 or 7 series or old SEC", as one poster urged upon us, nor would it ever want to be. It is proof positive that to be different sometimes is to be better. If you don't understand and desire the CX, it is because you are a sheep.

DrGP said:

I much prefer the hatch...

It was a saloon.

And no car has yet ridden better.

I think the sheep thing I a bit harsh!
I would disagree as I think the XM rid was better with the clever hydroactive suspension set up they had.
My dislike for these big old Citroens comes from being an apprentice in a Citroen garage and being lumbered with this thing because nobody else wanted to work on them (me being the lowers common denominator).
I can look back with a bit of affection now that I don’t have to bugger about with those bloody suspension pipes or the hand brake mechanisms.
We did have one guy who owned a number of arcades and used this because when he loaded it up with the change from his machines the suspension would just pump back up to normal ride height and nobody knew he was carrying the extra weight.
If I wanted something big and retro I would probably look for a big old Ford (Granada) of Vauxhall (Carlton)

[Oelholm]

Absolutely love it.

Best SOTW in a looooong time!

[HAB]

Great shed, proper modern classic. What's parts availability like for these old Citroens?

Nice to see some proper appreciation on here too; the usual blinkered posts were always going to happen, but they matter not a jot.

Probably the comfiest car I ever travelled in was a hatch CX 20 iirc. Never driven one unfortunately but for long distance comfort, I bet a good one would be very hard to beat, even now.

As someone mentioned above, comparing them to contemporary BMW/Mercs completely misses the point. Ride comfort on the Citreon is on a different planet.


I was in Languedoc-Roussillon in September, and saw an immaculate CX25 GTi in black parked up, (an S1 with the proper dash) and it was just beautiful. So much presence, and I haven't wanted a car as much for a very long time tbh.

[300bhp/ton]

MantaMike said:

300bhp/ton said:

Certainly a different kind of SOTW. But still a thumbs up from me. It's different and quirky and practical. Also think it'd look rather funny (in a good way) to see it on a track day or with some spot lamps and stickers tackling a rally stage.....

like this

Nice, very nice. Think it looks fab in fact!

[NickHKent]

What was the smaller (perhaps the then equiv of a citroen xsara) that was of a similar shape to this?

It didn't have a hatchback boot, more of a "flap"?

[chunkymonkey71]

NickHKent said:

What was the smaller (perhaps the then equiv of a citroen xsara) that was of a similar shape to this?

It didn't have a hatchback boot, more of a "flap"?

Was it the GSA Pallas or something?

[NLB]

chunkymonkey71 said:

NickHKent said:

What was the smaller (perhaps the then equiv of a citroen xsara) that was of a similar shape to this?

It didn't have a hatchback boot, more of a "flap"?

Was it the GSA Pallas or something?

GS, yes... very pleasant little cars. GSA was one version of the GS series, Pallas was a trim level I think.... Unlike the big DS/CX series which made do with variations on an iron-block pushrod four, the GS actually got a purpose designed flat-four engine, which I seem to recall was air cooled (but that might be too much claret).

[Straighteight]

Anyone ever seen one of these driving on failed hydro suspension? You get about a foot of clearance between wheel arch and tyre and the most comical body movement imaginable. Dull world without 'em.

[dollywobbler]

Thanks Riggers! She's a quality bus and no mistake, albeit with a few foibles...

I'm honoured to have the cherished SOTW status but should point out that I've moved to Aberystwyth since posting the advert.

Ian

[cybersimon]

NickHKent said:

What was the smaller (perhaps the then equiv of a citroen xsara) that was of a similar shape to this?

It didn't have a hatchback boot, more of a "flap"?

that was the GS, the GSA grew a hatch and 5 gears. I had a GSX3, it's the car I miss the most.

[NLB]

HAB said:

Great shed, proper modern classic. What's parts availability like for these old Citroens?

Nice to see some proper appreciation on here too; the usual blinkered posts were always going to happen, but they matter not a jot.

Probably the comfiest car I ever travelled in was a hatch CX 20 iirc. Never driven one unfortunately but for long distance comfort, I bet a good one would be very hard to beat, even now.

As someone mentioned above, comparing them to contemporary BMW/Mercs completely misses the point. Ride comfort on the Citreon is on a different planet.


I was in Languedoc-Roussillon in September, and saw an immaculate CX25 GTi in black parked up, (an S1 with the proper dash) and it was just beautiful. So much presence, and I haven't wanted a car as much for a very long time tbh.

Parts availability may be an issue now. My 1988 Turbo 2 had some engine bits on back-order from Citroen, which took 6 weeks to arrive, in about 1997 or so. Odd that the very basic, old design, engine was the only thing to give trouble on my Turbo 2. Everything else, including the (scary to many) hydraulics, was completely reliable.

All this Citroen praise has got me twitching about going to see a C6, at last.... I have been resisting, but now might be the time. A black one, with the cream seats. Mmmm...

[HAB]

NLB said:

the GS actually got a purpose designed flat-four engine, which I seem to recall was air cooled (but that might be too much claret).

Aircooled F4, there was also a rare wankel version - the GS Birotor. Quite different to the standard GS, and very expensive in its day.

[mcelliott]

carlingofblack said:

Sorry, I think these are vile. Worst shed for a long time....

Sorry you don't belong on PH, get out! I absolutely adore these cars. Would happily swap all of my garage just for one of those.















....Or maybe not