Descripción
* DEPOSIT TAKEN*
Here for sale is a Citroen AX hiding a somewhat silly secret. From the outside, it looks like an honest and highly original example of a very early AX 11 TRE - indeed it was first registered by Citroen UK, and likely among the first to come to the country. But look beyond the skinny tires and the wine bottle holders in the door cards and pop your head under the bonnet, you'll find not the standard 1. 1-litre TU engine, but the 1. 4 from an AX GT.
While the GT's 85bhp from the factory would be more than enough in a car that weighs under 700kg, the fun doesn't stop there; this engine has been treated to a skimmed head for increased compression, 3-angle valve seats and a twin-choke Weber 32/ 34 DTML carburettor. I could tell you that the previous owner told me that it had been dyno'd at 108bhp, but as I have no way to prove that, what I'll say instead is that having driven a standard GT, this is quite a lot faster. It'd be even quicker if you could actually deploy the power cleanly, but those narrow front tyres do struggle with that much poke!
Things get more interesting when you want to brake or corner, because engine aside everything else underneath is in the car's original spec. Maybe a brake upgrade might be advised (they're a little tired, so it's the right time to do it anyway) unless you enjoy the feeling of clammy palms on corner entry. I will get you started by throwing in a set of Goodridge braided brake hoses with the sale.
That aside, it's really rather easy to live with. The AX has a fantastic ride and a really sweet manual shift, so it's very pleasant even when you're pottering about. It's still using the 11 TRE's five-speed gearbox, which is longer-legged than the GT's short ratio 'box, so it's not even tiring on a motorway.
Other good bits:
- Engine is in very strong order. Well behaved at low revs and a bit of a hooligan when you're giving it some
- Exhaust also in good order. From the down pipe back it looks practically new. EDIT: I've found an invoice for a centre section that was bought in April 2022 (not long before I bought the car).
- Engine aside, a completely original and rare example of an AX. Interior is light and airy, and everything is in decent condition
- Absolutely stacks of paperwork to come with the car. Original service book stamped up to 1996/ 32k miles, but loads of more recent invoices/ receipts etc
- A few spare parts included: a couple of wheel trims, some lights, one or two other bits
- MOT until 16 November
- Structurally solid car
- Just 61, 000 miles (for the car, at least - engine mileage unknown)
- While owning the car, I've made sure that I've done what I can to ensure that the car is in the best possible working order - and that continues despite the fact it's for sale. Within the last month I have fitted a new air filter fitted on top of a newly serviced carburettor (10/ 5/ 24), changed the coolant (10/ 5/ 24) and changed the oil and filter (27/ 5/ 24)
Could be better:
- The body does look a little tatty in places. There's a scratch on the NS panel behind the door, the bonnet has a little dent in it
- While structurally solid, there are a few signs of corrosion, and it has had bits of welding in the past. One patch was welded behind the OS headlight but seemingly never painted, and other bits under the bonnet look a little crusty, too
- The last MOT test suggested the braking system needs a bit of an overhaul. On the plus side, all the bits are cheap
EDIT: on 31/ 5/ 24, I took the car into a Citroen specialist local to me. The brake system was looked at and a couple of advisories on the last MOT (front brake imbalance and handbrake service requirements) have been fixed. The system was bled through with new fluid, too.
- Still registered as a 1. 1 on the V5. The engine number is present, so it is possible to send a mechanic-approved letter to the DVLA to have this changed
- And to leave the worst until last... The wine bottle holders have both split
EDIT: The Citroen specialist above told me they might be able to help out with this...
So why am I selling? Well, mainly because at some point in the near future I want to buy a house. Not only will parting ways with the AX help my cause financially (at least a bit), it'll also mean I don't have to find a place with a driveway long enough to accommodate both it and the other silly old cars that I have.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch!
