Citroën Saxo Evo 2 – Project Profile

This week’s project car selection is something a little bit different. It’s not a barn find, it’s not got an inch of dust on it, it’s not full of rust and nibble marks from rodents. In fact, it currently resides in what we would consider to be an enviably clinical garage, the paint is rich and deep, and the condition is nothing short of excellent. However, this car needs some finishing, it needs some nuts and bolts, the engine needs to be tested and then, it needs to be used in serious, serious anger. Why? Because this project is a Citroën Saxo Super 1600 Evo 2 rally car. TSW wheels and bass bins are not part of the vernacular of this Citroën Saxo.

What is it? 

It’s a Citroën Saxo, Jim, but not as we know it. The project began in 2008, and was the brainchild of a former Citroën World Rally Team mechanic. After years on the stages, he wanted some seat time, so set about building his own machine. A Saxo was acquired, it was stripped and it was acid dipped before being coated, painted and fitted with a full-on Matter Motorsport roll cage. The shell has been seam welded for additional rigidity, and all manner of modifications have been made including the Evo 2 kit, suspension, brakes and more. Sadly, the builder was unable to see this car through due to very sadly passing away. It’s now your turn to fulfil both his and the car’s legacy.

Currently a rolling shell, this Citroën Saxo boasts OMP HTE-R 400 seats, a carbon fibre dash pod, flocked dash, motorsport specification pedals and of course, that cage. We would encourage you to read the listing to get the full, detailed specification. There are O.Z alloy wheels, a spare set of wheels, Alcon brakes, 21mm torsion bars, 25mm rear ARB, 16mm front ARB, the list goes on.

Then there’s the engine and transmission, which aren’t yet fitted. The engine is a 16-valve, naturally aspirated Citroën Saxo VTS unit which has been fully rebuilt to Super 1600 spec, though has yet to run. The transmission is a Sadev ST75-16 six-speed sequential unit, because why would you want anything less in a rally car? This is, make no mistake, a serious bit of kit. And given it’s all the hard work of a legit WRC mechanic, you know it’s been done bloody well.

Why is it a project? 

It needs finishing, that’s about it. The sad passing of the car’s original builder leaves it now in limbo. It needs someone with a motorsport background to come along and fit all the unfitted parts, to get the engine tested and in, and to then hopefully take the car out and use it in anger. This isn’t a facsimile or a pastiche, this is a proper, built to specification rally car and it deserves to live on as such. So, so much work has gone into this.

What should you look for? 

In the case of this Citroën Saxo, there is a lot to read and see, and as the car is currently on Car & Classic’s Auction platform, we would encourage you to pore over the listing. There are hundreds of pictures showing the work that has been carried out, and we have also taken the time to scan and copy every bit of paperwork relating to the thousands and thousands of pounds that have been spent on this car thus far.

What should you do with it?

Bid, buy, collect, finish, test and compete. It’s what this car has been created for, it is its very reason for being. And just imagine the overwhelming sense of pride and satisfaction when you fire this thing up for the first time. Imagine the pride, too, that will come from knowing you have fulfilled this car’s destiny. And, imagine what it’s going to be like to thrash this thing. Loud, visceral, exciting, maybe a bit scary, but also hugely fun. Cars like this do not come up often.