It’s been 40 years since the pros and the antis clashed. Four decades that some love the Citroen BX and that others boo him, to the point that our “colleague” el Gorafi published, ten years ago, an article entitled, “Thirty years later, Citroën apologizes for the BX”. But time has passed, the quarrels have faded and for this fortieth anniversary, everyone seems to find qualities in the very particular design of the Bertone house and especially its designer Marcello Gandini.
The neighbors car: Marc and his Citroën BX – 16 valves for a car that blows out its 40 candles
But it was other qualities that seduced Marc. This lover of Citroën dials, who already has a SD and one xantia, unearthed a BX 16S just a year ago in rare condition. The car is so clean it looks like it came off the line last week. “And yet it shows 176,000 km” Mark announces. Of course, it is a phase 2 car produced from 1987 and if the extravagance of the dashboard of the first version disappears, its quality has improved. “But we no longer have the famous satellites on each side of the steering wheel” he seems to regret Marc.
On the other hand, what he does not regret is the extraordinary power-to-weight ratio of his car. 1,070kg for 160hp, that’s enough to keep the dragee high for many electric cars today. As for Citroën’s famous oleo-pneumatic suspensions, Marc finds them particularly fashionable. “With the degradation of roads and the proliferation of speed bumps, the spheres are ideal.”
An oleo-pneumatic fighter plane
But by the way, how much does a BX in good condition cost today? “You have yet to find one that is healthy. But from 2,000 euros, you can have fun”. Obviously, at this price, it is not about getting a GTI 16S type fighter. For such a model, it will cost more between 9,000 and 15,000 euros. Although a copy was sold for 42,000 euros a few years ago. “But that was a very, very low mileage exception.” A large sum to which its owner will also have to add a significant gasoline budget. “11.5 l/100 km are needed.” The price of a flying carpet signed by Marcello Gandini.
