Thursday 28th June 2012

Spotted: Citroen BX 4TC

Fancy a super-rare example of one of the most eccentric Group B cars? Course you do...

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As far as unsuccessful Group B projects go, the Citroen BX 4TC was pretty much the most spectacular. It didn't hit the World Rally stage until 1986, and only managed three competitive appearances - with a best place of sixth in the Swedish rally championship - before Group B was banned.

More inexplicably still, despite its in-house competition (the 205 T16) proving unequivocally that a mid-engined layout was the way to go, the 4TC had a longitudinal turbocharged four-cylinder engine poking out over the front axle line. Even a decent power output of between 380hp and 430hp wasn't going to save it.

Then there was the debacle of the roadgoing car. Developed by coachbuilder Heuliez, the four-wheel drive road car, with its 200hp turbocharged engine and a top speed of 137mph, deserved at least that homes would be found for the 200 examples and the dozen or so cars with two doors and a shortened wheelbase required to homologate the full-on Group B version.

But by 1988 just 85 cars had been sold and Citroen, fearful of having to bear a costly after-sales burden for the hand-built special, sought to buy back as many cars as it could - and to have them destroyed.

But what proved a bit of a disaster for the company that has now dominated the WRC for the best part of a decade, and like so many group B specials, the BX 4TC is now seriously collectable.

It's thought that just 40 or so examples survived the purge, of which this BX 4TC is one. Uniquely finished in black, this particular car was actually assembled by bodywork apprentices at the Lycée Professionnel de Niort rather than by Heuliez itself and has covered just 1,036km during its life.

If you fancy it, the 4TC is up for an estimate of between 40,000 euros and 60,000 euros when it goes under the hammer at the Le Mans Classic auction on July 7.

The sale has more than its fair share of other automotive esoterica and exotica, too, as you'll see if you take a butcher's at the full listof lots on Artcurial's website. Scroll past the 500 euro ties (we aren't joking) and you'll see Audi R10 and Peugeot 905 Le Mans prototypes, a gaggle of Peugeot touring cars, a two-door 405, a Renault Fuego cabrio, a saloon version of the Citroen XM, even a Peugeot 309 estate...

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CITROEN BX 4 TC
Engine: 2,141cc four-cylinder turbo
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Power (hp): 200@5,250rpm
Torque (lb ft): 217@2,750rpm
MPG: N/A
CO2: N/A
First registered: 1986
Recorded mileage: 1,036 (km)
Yours for: 40,000-60,000 euros

[thewheelman]

It may well be the least successful Group B car, but I'd still love a blast in one.

[W00DY]

Keep going back to look at all the oddities.


I'd love to win the Euromillions and put them all on display, with a couple of them daily driven by rotation.

[Stew2000]

Loving that dash layout

[forzaminardi]

http://www.artcurial.com/en/asp/fullCatalogue.asp?...

Mmmm, yum

[Codswallop]

That auction catalogue has so many interesting cars and concepts. Love all the French oddities.

[Eighteeteewhy]

Definitely in my Lottery Garage.

I believe a lot of them were bought back by Citroen and destroyed?

ETA...note to self, read twice then post.

[myhandle]

Yes. 80s concept car looks and fairly strong performance. Looks way better in the usual white though, as cars with blue and red stripes normally do (Martini Integrales, DTM E30 M3,etc.)

[fourwheelsteer]

Citroen seems to like building even more bonkers versions of its already quite unusual cars. Selling them for a bit and then buying them back to destroy. I think the Birotor Citroen GS suffered that fate as did a bizzare, wankel-engined, coupé version of the Ami.

Edited to add: That'd be the M35 Coupe - Lot 201.

But I love the BX 4TC. Didn't the engine come from something unlikely like the Talbot Tagora?

Edited by fourwheelsteer on Thursday 28th June 14:05

[bob1179]

For some reason, I really want that 309 estate!

[toon10]

Wow, I was a massive rally fan back then and used to love the Group B stuff but I can honestly say I've never seen or heard about this creation. I must have been on holiday ot something!

[Captain Muppet]

I was brought up as part of a Citroen cult, and as such this was my dream car for years.

I had a model one. No idea where it is now.

[epom]

Wow have to say I'd love that.... also really loving the stance of the 2 door 405 (very impreza like)

[mantaray]

Note to self , dont take cheque book , LOVE the Renault 25 limo

[myhandle]

Captain Muppet said:

I was brought up as part of a Citroen cult, and as such this was my dream car for years.

I had a model one. No idea where it is now.

I have a model of it, and there are a few on eBay : not badly priced either! http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Voiture-1-43-Citroen-BX-...

[feef]

Are they not CX Turbo II wheels?

[Eighteeteewhy]

epom said:

Wow have to say I'd love that.... also really loving the stance of the 2 door 405 (very impreza like)

A real 2 door 405....

[LouD86]

Wow, funky looking car, when is Kitch when you want him!! lol.

Ive just been day dreaming through the catalouge, is it bad that the one I really want is the Safrane Long Cours. lol

[Krikkit]

That Giulia GTA in there is beautiful as well, mechanically restored, but original paintwork etc.

Would love that 905 to go hooning round at various classic shows etc, even put in a touch of track time!

[JohnoVR6]

That 405 Coupe is actually a very nice looking car.

Just had a flick through the full auction listing, and the Citroen M35, oh wow Estimate is considerably less than I imagined it'd be...

[Cotic]

Lot 163 for me!

(XJS Lynx shooting brake for those that can't be bothered to check...)