HIGHLIGHTS
- Genuine Bijou body built onto galvanised 2CV chassis
- 602cc engine
- Bespoke interior
- Incredible backstory
THE APPEAL
It's a little-known fact that one of the most celebrated British car designers of all-time also put his mind to a tiny Citroën, but that’s the story with Peter Kirwan-Taylor, better known for the stunning first-generation Lotus Elite.
But then the Elite and the Citroën Bijou have more in common than you’d first think, not least the use of a lightweight fibreglass body. Introduced in 1959, the Bijou was built at Citroën’s UK factory in Slough, but only 207 were made. It’s a rare thing, spoken of in hushed tones in Citroën circles. It’s the 2CV holy grail.
This one is incredible. It was assembled onto a late 2CV galvanised chassis in the late 2000s, but the body is that of Bijou number 147 – and it was quite literally a lucky break for the owner. The remains were found in a scrapyard in 2000 and the rebuild completed several years later, when a chance encounter with a former Citroën dealership employee at a car show led to a conversation in which the vendor learned it was the very same car he’d given to his sons many years earlier to learn to drive around his land. With his help, the owner was able to prove the Bijou’s identity and it was reunited with its “884 MAF” registration number, which the body had first worn in 1962.
The car was a full restoration otherwise, and various specialists were involved to make it ‘right’, while the interior was of a bespoke design for the owner, using Citroën GS instruments.
Sadly, the vendor is having to give up driving and his assortment of rare and unusual Citroëns is being slowly sold off, the Bijou being one of the stars of the collection.
THE HISTORY AND PAPERWORK
- UK V5C
- MOT and tax exempt
- Original 884 MAF registration number – backed up by copy of original buff logbook
- Body found in a scrapyard in 2006 and restored by Bob Jenkins Car Restorers
- Rebuilt by Citroën car club member
- Bijou body number 147
- Part of an extensive 2CV collection
THE INTERIOR
- Interior retrimmed by a trimmer in Bristol to a lovely standard
- Red leatherette seats and matching door cards
- Four-seater
- Bespoke stainless-steel dash
- Citroën GS instruments
- Excellent headlining
- Trimmed rear load bay with maroon carpets, full-size spare wheel and jack
THE EXTERIOR
- Original fibreglass Bijou body
- Restored over two-year period by established renovator, saving as much of the original body structure as possible
- Mounted on late-model 2CV galvanised chassis in excellent overall condition
- Genuine Bijou bumpers, sourced second-hand by vendor
- Power-coated maroon steel wheels
THE MECHANICS
- 602cc air-cooled twin
- Later-spec 2CV engine, rebuilt by specialist Rick Pembro
- Four-speed manual transmission
- Citroën Dyane gearbox
- Disc brakes
SUMMARY
This is a remarkable car with a remarkable story. Missing, presumed dead, its remains were exhumed from scrap and the story behind its renaissance is one of dedication and determination from a number of passionate Citroën collectors, who worked together to not only rebuild it, but also to reunite it with its true identity.
It’s a wonderful machine, restored but not overdone, and returned to the road sympathetically and with true perseverance. One for its next owner to cherish and appreciate, as one of the rarest and most keenly sought-after 2CV derivatives.
Notice to bidders
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