Home » This Amazing Citroën Auction Features A Group B Homologation Special, A Six-Wheeled Camper, An Eight-Wheeled DS Pickup, And Nearly 100 More Cars

This Amazing Citroën Auction Features A Group B Homologation Special, A Six-Wheeled Camper, An Eight-Wheeled DS Pickup, And Nearly 100 More Cars

Citroen Auction Ts
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Every so often, a car auction appears that’s nothing short of mesmerizing. Whether barn finds of blue-chip classics or a selection of motorsports-bred greats, these events seem to come along once in a blue moon. Well, now’s your chance to get in on one with a distinctly French flavor. Nearly 100 Citroëns up for auction on French platform Interencheres, some in showroom shape, some far from it, and all outrageous. Reader Florian alerted us to this absolute cornucopia of Citroen weirdness, and my word, is it ever a sight to behold.

Back in the day, Citroen used to be weird, in that it made some of the most technically advanced cars on the road, some of the most basic cars on the road, and little in-between. Hell, for a few years, Citroën just sold the 2CV people’s car, the oleopneumatic DS sedan, and two commercial vehicles. That’s it. Imagine if the Lucid Air and the Mitsubishi Mirage were made by the same people, and that gives you a little bit of perspective.

Vidframe Min Top
Vidframe Min Bottom

Unsurprisingly, this arrangement made for questionable longevity as an independent brand, but it produced some truly mesmerizing automobiles. Let’s start with one of the rarer ones up for auction here — the BX 4TC.

Citroen Bx 4tc 1

Back in 1985, Citroen decided it wanted a slice of Group B rally glory. The Killer Bs were fast, mesmerizing, and too insane to last. The starting point? Well, how about the BX family car? Unfortunately, it wasn’t much of a success, but that didn’t stop Citroen from contracting out production of 200 roadgoing versions to coachbuilder Heuliez before pulling the plug and only letting around 86 out the factory gates. The result was a practical family liftback with a 200-horsepower 2.142-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine mounted longitudinally in a car originally meant for a transverse layout, driving all four wheels. This meant that it had the front overhang of a Lincoln Town Car, but it also rode on oleopneumatic suspension, and that’s pretty cool.

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Bx 4tc 2

This particular BX 4TC sports 125,446 kilometers on the clock, and while it isn’t in perfect condition, it’ll be a tough experience finding another. The auction house estimates a hammer price of €30,000 to €40,000, and while that isn’t cheap, it’s also not bad for a genuine Group B homologation special.

Citroen Cx Camper

Alright, so let’s say that the BX 4TC doesn’t fit your budget and you’re looking for something cheaper and even weirder. How about a six-wheeled high-roof camper based on a large family sedan? This custom Citroen CX is expected to hammer for between €10,000 and €18,000, and I know what you’re thinking: What?

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Yeah, so this CX started as a six-wheeled conversion by coachbuilder Tissier, apparently for press transport, at least according to the listing. However, in 1992, it’s said to have been converted into a camper, and my word, does it ever look like something you drew as a kid. Obviously, it’ll need restoration, but the interior seems shockingly alright, from the pink formica cabinetry to the remarkably clean-looking bedsheets. If you want to confuse the absolute hell out of everyone at the campsite, this is certainly one way to do it.

Citroen Gs Birotor

Alright, maybe that’s too much of a project, so how about something that seems like it’ll require less bodywork, yet is still obscenely rare? This is a Citroen GS Birotor, and man, does this model have a tumultuous history. Originally designed to take advantage of displacement taxes, it featured a 106-horsepower Wankel rotary engine for smooth running and decent power. Unfortunately, it was also launched in 1973, right in time for an oil crisis, and cost as much as an upmarket DS. Only 874 were made, and fewer survive, because instead of continuing support after pulling the plug, Citroen tried to buy-back and scrap the whole lot. This particular example hasn’t been on the road in three years, but with an expected hammer price of €12,000-€18,000, it definitely seems worth recommissioning. Oh, and if you’re looking for a rougher one, this auction can provide that too, a more involved GS Birotor project with an expected hammer price of €4,000 to €6,000.

Citroen M35

Oh, and a pair of GS Birotors aren’t the only Wankel-powered Citroëns up for auction. This is an M35, a trial car of sorts with a single-rotor engine, oleopneumatic suspension, and a rakish form that somewhat disguises its roots. See, it was based on the Ami, which was based on the 2CV, and it served as proof of concept for rotary power. The bodywork on this one’s 80-grit rough, but considering only 267 were ever made, where else are you going to find one for an expected auction price of €3,000 to €4,000?

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Citroen Ds Pickup

And now for something that’ll make everything else you’ve seen so far appear almost normal. This isn’t just the front half of a Citroen DS, it’s a triple-rear-axle Citroen DS flatbed pickup truck. Unsurprisingly, like the CX, this is another Tissier creation, but man, what the hell? It’s even hard to judge the €8,000 to €12,000 expected hammer price, because although this thing requires complete restoration, where are you going to find another one?

Sm

Of course, among all the outrageous oddities in this auction sit a few dozen normal Citroen models, such as this gorgeous restored 1970 SM, one of my favorite cars ever. When I was a child, I used to occasionally see a white SM parked outside of my neighborhood service station, and it just looked like nothing else on the road. With a Maserati V6, oleopneumatic suspension, and bodywork evoking a studious sort of beauty, it’s simply mesmerizing. Sure, €30,000 to €35,000 is a lot of money, but what a car.

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So, if you want a ridiculously obscure Citroen, or even a normal one, you might want to book some plane tickets to Fleury-sur-Andelle, France, because where else are you going to find all this stuff in one place? Viewings are scheduled for Sept. 27 and 28, and given the wide variety of vehicle conditions in this auction, it might help to have eyes on them in person.

[Hat-tip to Florian!]

(Photo credits: Interencheres auction)

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Cameron Showers
Cameron Showers
16 days ago

I thought you were about to say Lane motors was selling off some cars but in realized my mistake very quickly lmao.

Rapgomi
Rapgomi
21 days ago

I’ve always wanted a Citroen Bijou!

Dave Marsh
Dave Marsh
21 days ago

Amazingly, one of the few BX 4TCs showed up at a local C&C about a year ago- VERY interesting car, but definitely a bit rough in execution. Can easily see under the hood where the front was extended so that the longitudinal engine would actually fit.

https://imgur.com/005gXao

https://imgur.com/HjS1Lz4

Double Wide Harvey Park
Double Wide Harvey Park
22 days ago

35k for a restored SM is a steal.

Freelivin2713
Freelivin2713
22 days ago

Holy shit these are insane and awesome at the same time
I especially WANT the BX 4TC! Looks amazing

Slow Joe Crow
Slow Joe Crow
22 days ago

Regarding the LoadRunner, the original mission was to deliver newspapers hot off the press, which requires you to get there quickly.
While GS Birotor would be interesting, I think a GS or GSA with a Mazda 13B swap would be almost practical since it’s the least unreliable production rotary. It won’t be “authentic” but it would give the best idea of what Citroën wanted.

NebraskaStig
NebraskaStig
22 days ago

That BX 4TC is something I forgot existed (there has to be an article on it somewhere here or the German lighting ad site). Anyway, this is actually cheap for a group B production car that converted from Francs and inflation cost $110k.

The NSX Was Only in Development for 4 Years
The NSX Was Only in Development for 4 Years
22 days ago

I’d personally be shocked if the BX 4TC goes that low. Given the last auction results for them, I think people have caught on that they’re the last Group B homologation cars that weren’t completely unattainable.

Rod Millington
Rod Millington
22 days ago

I love that GS Birotor. It looks so good. I guess with a 1.9L rotary driving the front wheels you would never need to worry about torque steer?

I appreciate the owner(s) of the BX4TC for actually driving it, makes it more valuable to me. I also appreciate the specificity of 2.142L of displacement.

Vetatur Fumare
Vetatur Fumare
22 days ago

Amazing that the BX4TC has 125,000 km on it – surely one of the highest mileage Group B homologation cars out there?

Vetatur Fumare
Vetatur Fumare
22 days ago

That’s also only a two-hour drive from Calvados…

Jonee Eisen
Jonee Eisen
22 days ago

This is my dream auction. I want the whole lot of them.

TheHairyNug
TheHairyNug
22 days ago

Wow, a BX 4×4 GTI. That’s in the attainable enthusiast garage list for me

Wagonsarethebestanswer
Wagonsarethebestanswer
22 days ago

Never knew about the BX rally car, but.. sure as shit looks like they stretched an Audi ur-quattro & added 2 doors. Strange idea considering that Audi actually decreased the length to get better handling = Sport quattro, king of the Group B insanity machines.

AlfaWhiz
AlfaWhiz
22 days ago

All of this just makes me sad about what Citroën is today, merely a shadow of its former self.

Jack Trade
Jack Trade
22 days ago

One of my favorite Colombos guest stars Patrick McGoohan as an unorthodox spy who drives an unorthodox car in California, an SM of that exact color. It fit McGoohan perfectly.

Last edited 22 days ago by Jack Trade
Njd
Njd
22 days ago
Reply to  Jack Trade

I love that episode too, and the car blew me away and I just had to know what it was. That’s how I ended up with a favorite Citroen, a company who I’d otherwise never paid much attention to.

Jack Trade
Jack Trade
22 days ago
Reply to  Njd

The scene where he shows up at the gas station, all sleek and cool, contrasting with Colombo who’s groping around on the ground for loose change to see how much gas he’ll be able to put in his car is priceless.

Max Finkel
Max Finkel
22 days ago

hello yes I’m here for the strange frenchness

Data
Data
22 days ago

“So, if you want a ridiculously obscure Citroen, or even a normal one”

Normal and Citroen does not compute. Error 500

Lizardman in a human suit
Lizardman in a human suit
22 days ago
Reply to  Data

Normal is subjective. Your weird stoner friend going on about lizard people may be normal for him.

And it is now evident he does know what he is talking about.

Ncbrit
Ncbrit
22 days ago

Oh my. Drooling here. A few I’ve owned before and would love to get my hands on again.

10001010
10001010
22 days ago

That SM is the best looking of the bunch but that BX 4TC looks like an absolute bucket of monkeys to drive.

William Domer
William Domer
22 days ago
Reply to  10001010

I want the S/M so dang much it actually hurts.

William Domer
William Domer
22 days ago
Reply to  William Domer

However the chance that anyone could repair it in Milwaukee WI suggests to me that I must move to France. Oui or Non

SLM
SLM
22 days ago
Reply to  William Domer

Don’t worry, even in France you won’t find anybody willing to work on a Citroën SM

10001010
10001010
22 days ago
Reply to  William Domer

A friend of mine has a DS, he has certainly had some difficulty finding someone willing to work on it.

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