small fun car with manual gearbox

**DoubleChevron** · 3rd February 2022, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by Saitch

I had a drive of a CX in the late 80's. A mate of mine worked at the Citroen dealership at Bowen Hills, in Brissie.
I remember being somewhat suitably impressed by the vehicle! Not that I gave it a workout or anything!

Most people couldn't drive them.

I think the dealers used to say "take it for a few days for a test drive" .... as people couldnt' just jump in and drive them easily. think along the lines of:

--brakes ... there is a pedal, but all it does is press on a hydraulic valve. Stamp on it like everyone would and you better hope there was no-one following close behind. Absolutely fabulous and extremely powerful once you learn to caress them with your big toe ..
--people couldn't steer the things
--the indicators didn't cancel
--you have to crawl into the car thats sitting on its belly and wait for it to lift.
--smog pumps and "semi-automatics" made it a dog of a thing until it all fell off. The importers were importing a model that was a manual gearbox, but with a torque converter. So you had to change gears even though there was no clutch ( I used to think they were dumb and tear them out to fit a proper manual. These days I think they just add to the appeal of the things).

back then you had local cars with 4 turns lock to lock of the steering wheel.... even cars with power steering had lots of turns .... and here's the CX in 1975 .... with diravi steering. There is no mechanical connection between the steering wheel and front wheels while the motor is running as its fully powered hydraulic steering. Its 2.5 turns lock to lock ... self centers strongly, and will center if you let go of the steering wheel. At parking speeds its light as a feather, at speed its heavy.

These days poeple are much happier to drive them as nearly all cars have direct power steering so the difference isn't great. Rose coloured glasses aside, they are a a fabulous old car ... but they are still an old car, with normal "old car" type issues. ie: the ventilation is terrible, the A/C is garbage (and was when the cars were new). They rusted just like most cars of there era, the interiors melt and disintegrate in our sun etc....

We never got the petrol turbo cars here like this one. For there time they were quick'ish for a European car ( 0-100 in 7.5 -> 8.5seconds depending on who you want to believe... personally I think there was a big variation in the wastegate adjustments that would explain the differences listed all over the place). A quick fiddle with the wastegate will get you around 200hp with no other changes... but all you'll do is smoke the clutch, so I've never touched mine. there is little effort in getting upto 250hp with the tuning companies in the UK. but I've never really seen the point. These hp figure sound pathetic in this day and age, but cars were light back then... a full sized family sedan was about 1250kgs.... and being a turbo'd petrol motor there is huge torque ( ~ 300Nm from the factory).

They are more of a high speed cruiser. er, "I've heard"

they feel much the same cruising at 220km/h as they do at 110k/h .... only the trees and white lines blur past much more quickly.

**Saitch** · 3rd February 2022, 03:38 PM

Ah, yes, I remember the steering, but I can't remember too much trouble with the brakes. Perhaps my mate had warned me?
Around the same time, I also drove a Saab 900 turbo, from the same dealer and there was another vehicle a little different from what was mainly on offer in those days.

**jerryd** · 3rd February 2022, 06:58 PM

Originally Posted by DoubleChevron

That's just cruel .... that's not a modern ****box.... that's right up my alley

Certainly not a modern daily driver

Right up my alley too, 190bhp at the rear wheels, just had to say yes when a friend offered me first refusal. Just haven't confessed yet

If you restore the Citreon it will be money well spent.

**PhilipA** · 3rd February 2022, 07:53 PM

This will make you cream your jeans

Jim Reddiex was a good bloke . I used to have a chat with him when we were on motor show stands.
Regards PhilipA

**DoubleChevron** · 3rd February 2022, 08:26 PM

Originally Posted by PhilipA

This will make you cream your jeans

Jim Reddiex was a good bloke . I used to have a chat with him when we were on motor show stands.
Regards PhilipA

That's actually not a CX .... Its a GS. Those things are fabulous little cars. The motors are little screamers good for about 8000rpm.... air cooled flat fours. They aren't fast, but handle like you wouldn't believe on there little cheese cutters. The only car I've ever managed to push into 4 wheel drifts easily .... again and again on greasy roads. I haven't drive/owned one in years as they are air cooled and my wife is an asthmatic .... air cooled cars and asthmatics don't go together. As your ventilation/heater is warmed air from the engine bay where the engine leaks and exhaust leaks are

I've never met Jim Reddix ... but I'm pretty sure he is responsible for Citroen existing at all in Australia through the 70's and 80's. Without him they would have dissappear back in the 60's .... never to be seen again most likely (like a lot of other manufactures).

**DoubleChevron** · 3rd February 2022, 08:31 PM

Tyrells classic cars did quite a nice review on the CX a year or so back.

He's not a Citroen Specialist, so some of what he says it simply wrong .... but very nicely done by someone that is passionate about old cars.

while your there .... have a look at his channel. I haven't watched most of it as I'm not really interested in exotics.

But .........

Tyrrell's Classic Workshop - YouTube

Have a look at the Rover SD1 ... and Citroen SM ... And Jensen FF videos.... and of course the Jag V12 and Dodge challenger videos. The other exotics aren't something I've watched yet.... But I'll get to them

**Arapiles** · 5th February 2022, 10:54 PM

OK, so this isn't a manual but I had a basic version of this and it was a scream around town.

This is the spiritual successor to the Mitsubishi Minica Dangan ZZ.

http://www.j-spec.com.au/lineup/Suzuki/Alto/HA36/id-ZBK

Featured 2017 Suzuki Alto Turbo RS at J-Spec Imports

**DoubleChevron** · 8th February 2022, 12:51 PM

Originally Posted by Arapiles

OK, so this isn't a manual but I had a basic version of this and it was a scream around town.

This is the spiritual successor to the Mitsubishi Minica Dangan ZZ.

http://www.j-spec.com.au/lineup/Suzuki/Alto/HA36/id-ZBK

Featured 2017 Suzuki Alto Turbo RS at J-Spec Imports

Now that is what I think would be a fun little car .... How did you know that would appeal ?? I wonder if its as much fun to drive at the 602cc Citroen 2cv

**Colmoore** · 8th February 2022, 01:39 PM

Originally Posted by jerryd

Just make sure it has air con because the heaters do not turn off

and they do sell like hot cakes

Here's a pic of my old one without the puddle !!

Ooohh nice TC MG there!
My old man had a yellow TC, a black TD and a red TF; all many moons ago unfortunately

**Colmoore** · 8th February 2022, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by Saitch

Nothing wrong with a Jimny, except for internal space. I'd have one as a vehicle for solo beach trips any day.

For sure, they look like a little Deefer I reckon. Capable off road too.
I’m trying to coach my 15 yr old daughter into getting one in a couple of years……..

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