This Specific Citroen CX
In the spirit of this old post that celebrates a specific Jeep Cherkoee, I offer my lust of this specific Citroen CX. I have already offered my more general praise of the delectable CX, a gorgeous and highly advanced car that ranks as my favorite Citroen of all time, higher even than the rally-car BX or the futuristic DS. Given all that, imagine my enthusiastic reaction when I opened up Craigslist and found this gorgeous CX wagon. My enthusiastic "Holy ****!" rattled windows in a five-mile radius. Photos after the jump.
This car leaves me bubbling as helplessly as an eight-year-old girl at a Hannah Montana concert. Look at that paint! That body! That glass! Those wheels! That gorgeous profile! That dashboard! The three side-by-side bucket seats! I slightly prefer the more usual fastback wagon roofline, but nevertheless I think my Car Lust meter just pegged.
--Chris H.
Anthony Cagle on February 25, 2010 at 01:29 PM
It looks like a hearse.
Cookie the Dog's Owner on February 25, 2010 at 01:54 PM
It's in lovely, lovely condition, and it looks incredibly practical, yet also only slightly less alien than the Jupiter 8. (I love the rims.) With that three-row seating, it's perfect for hauling a gaggle of eight-year-old girls to a Hannah Montana concert.
I would wonder about the driving dynamics--French cars are known for their soft suspensions, and diesels are generally not described with adjectives like "quick off the line." There would also be the small matter of spare parts.
Still, lovely.
Chris Hafner on February 25, 2010 at 02:07 PM
Yeah, it makes absolutely zero sense to buy at $11,000, even at low miles, unless you're a collector. But if I was 20 years further on in life and had already amassed the capital necessary for the Chris Hafner Museum of Under-Appreciated Cars - the physical manifestation of this blog - I'd be driving down to Portland with $11K clenched in my sweaty hands, ready to acquire a lovely white CX.
Mochi Mochi on February 25, 2010 at 02:21 PM
this thing is amazingly cool - looks spotlessly clean - and it is perhaps the most comfortable hearse ever conceived. yes anthony I do agree with you - it does look like a hearse. but at the same time it looks like something from Kubrick's original 2001: A Space Odyssey. This is the classic time machine... looking at a car like this I can't help the feeling of being transported back in time to a different world thousands of miles away.
Love it or hate it, this was French design. I personally don't care if this sticks in anyones craw - or if they can't see the wonder and really fracked up beauty in this car. The important thing is that this was a bold unique vision that completely flew in the face of mainstream and parochial automotive tastes.
I prefer the styling and size of the DS, but this thing is just amazing. If you can't appreciate its wonders, don't feel bad, you're in the majority. But French design like this rocks on its own. It is completely unapologetic in its design certainty... just as it should be. vive la france!
Chris Mallow on February 25, 2010 at 02:30 PM
That looks really nice. I love the third-row seating, obviously well ahead of its time. Very nice lines, as well...that front looks very cool. (But yes, it does look a bit like a hearse.)
But what on Earth is up with that dash? IS that the dash?? Was that the French idea of futuristic in 1981, like the Buick Reatta computer control center or something? It doesn't even look like it has a speedo (although, from Cookie's comment, it appears that won't be a problem).
That Car Guy on February 25, 2010 at 02:45 PM
To me, the only things that date the car are the amber fog lights and the fender skirts. Keep the fog lights.
And what's wrong with a hearse? :)
Steaming Pile on February 26, 2010 at 06:44 AM
I thought I recognized this particular white hearse:
http://jalopnik.com/5477757/feed-your-inner-surrender-monkey-for-13000
The price is down from the $13,000 Jalopnik cites when they reviewed it for their recurring piece, "Nice Price Or Crack Pipe." 60% thought $13,000 was a good deal for this particular piece of Frenchiness.
Philippe on February 26, 2010 at 07:56 AM
My dad owned a CX Pallas 2400 in the late 70s. It had fuel injection and an automatic clutch. My favorite car ever. The "radio-cassette" was vertically inserted in the center console.
Citroens are soft because of their "oleopneumatic" suspension system. But you can set the driving height. I don't recall the wagon being used a hearse in France, but it was often used as an ambulance.
I am foaming at the mouth for the car above. I shall attempt to forget about it or I'll buy it.
David Colborne on February 26, 2010 at 08:35 AM
Chris Mallow - It has a speedo. It's the yellow box on the left; I'm suspecting it moves as the car speeds up and slows down. What I'm a bit more concerned about, however, is the lack of a proper fuel gauge. That thing on the right is for oil pressure. Then again, maybe some of those black buttons are actual buttons and not just idiot lights.
*shrug*
The French are WEIRD, yo. Even so, that is one sweet station wagon. The only way I'd touch it is if I knew French, though - there'd be no other way I'd be able to find parts for it.
kenny heggem on February 26, 2010 at 11:15 AM
I once had the pleasure to drive in a 60's example that road beautifully. It was more than ahead of it's time, it was like nothing else and just smooth. Road over speed bumps at speed like they did not exist. Not that I advocate speeding over speed bumps, but it was impressive.
dennymack on February 26, 2010 at 01:24 PM
Buying a car like that is a huge commitment. Not just finding parts, either. You would need to dress appropriately. You can't step out of this wearing dockers and a polo shirt. You might actually have to create an entire persona for days when you take Moby Dick out for a drive.
I like eccentric cars, but this one (in fact any Citreon) leaves me cold. A strange combination of bold futurism and boring plainness. Maybe I need to see one in person to appreciate it. It does look like it has been amazingly well taken care of, so maybe it's one of those cars you appreciate more as you get to know it.