Citroen CX Prestige C-Matic 1977 - Project

Description for Citroën 1977

Note: Bill of Sale only.This is the CX Prestige (long wheelbase) model, designed for diplomats and heads of state. I'm told this has the "rare" low roofline. The C-matic transmission is a three-speed semi-automatic. You still have to shift it, but there is no clutch. This has the 2.4 liter carburated gasoline engine. The rear-seats are very spacious, with dual cigarette lighters and ash-trays. There are sunshades at the rear side windows, as well a sunshade for the rear window. All the seats are leather, and this car has the world-famous hydraulic suspension system that has been licensed to Mercedes and Rolls-Royce. The ride is like floating on a cloud!
Per Wikipedia:"TheCitroën CXis anexecutive carproduced by the FrenchautomakerCitroënfrom 1974 to 1991. Citroën sold nearly 1.2 million CXs during its 16 years of production. The CX was votedEuropean Car of the Yearin 1975. The name CX is the French equivalent abbreviation of Cd fordrag coefficientin English, drawing attention to the car'saerodynamicstyling, which was uncommon in 1974.

It is considered by someenthusiastsas the last "real Citroën" beforePeugeottook control of the company in 1976.The CX was also the final successful model of the "big Citroën" era, which began in 1934.

The CX employed Citroën's uniquehydropneumaticself-leveling suspensionsystem.

According to theDriving & Motoring Monththe CX "provides a startlingly intelligent set of solutions to modern motoring problems"

The CX's flowing lines and sharpKamm tailwere designed by auto stylistRobert Opron, resembling its precursor theGS. Citroën had been using aWind tunnelfor many years, and the CX was designed to perform well inaerodynamicdrag, with a lowcoefficient of drag (Cd in English;CX in French)of 0.36.

Mechanically, the car was one of the most modern of its time, combining Citroën's uniquehydro-pneumaticintegralself-leveling suspension, speed-adjustableDIRAVIpower steering (first introduced on theCitroën SM), and a uniquely effective interior design that did away with steering column stalks, allowing the driver to reach all controls while both hands remained on the steering wheel.

The CX suspension’s ability to soak up large undulations and yet damp out rough surfaces was extraordinary, with a consistent ride quality, empty, or fully laden.[7]The suspension was attached to sub frames that were fitted to the body through flexible mountings, to improve even more the ride quality and to reduce road noise. The British magazineCardescribed the sensation of driving a CX as hovering over road irregularities, much like a ship traversing above the ocean floor. This suspension was used under license byRolls-Royceon the Silver Shadow. TheMercedes-Benz 450SEL 6.9was not built under license, but copied theHydropneumatic suspensionprinciples after the less effectiveMercedes-Benz 600Air suspensioninstallation."

For more details, you can view the Wikipedia entry:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citro%C3%ABn_CX
NOTE: Bill of Sale Only. This car has never been registered in the U.S. At this time, the California emissions requirements would make it difficult to register in California. It would need to go to the BAR referee for inspection. AskTheRef.orgThe speedometer drive has been converted to register Miles, but the current odometer reading is in kilometers, 78,017 km = 48,478 miles traveled.We are the second owners. This was purchased from a family friend in Paris in 1985. My dad had it shipped here to California, and converted to DOT standards in Costa Mesa, California. The DOT initially lost the paperwork, and then claimed the automotive engineer was not certified to convert Citroens (Who is?). Since the car is more than 25 years old, there are no longer any design restrictions, and the DOT is not a problem. However, the emissions standards in California have gotten more strict, and I have not pursued getting it registered.
Most everything works. The car runs, the hydraulic system (suspension, brakes, steering) works well. You can see on one of the pictures the car at the maximum height setting. The transmission works well. The tires are over thirty years old, so should be changed. The engine still needs some sorting out: it tends to stall after a couple of miles. I don't know the cause. The headlight turning mechanism was removed as part of the required DOT conversion in 1985. That requirement has since lapsed, so a mechanism could be sourced and installed, if desired.The inside is in good shape. The leather is a little dry, and damaged on the driver's left side where the height adjustment lever rubs the seat. Most everything works. The rotating cylinder speedometer and tachometer are very cool! (see picture) The original 1977 Blaupunkt radio works, but the tuning knob is frozen, but I think it could be freed up, if done gently. I chose not to attempt it. There is starting to be some surface rust, as shown on the pictures, and a little bubbling on the drivers side door. There is also some rusting under the rocker panels under the car as seen in the pictures, but none of it structural nor critical. There is also a little rust in a crease of the right rear wheel cover. (see picture) The foam cushion on the steering wheel is deteriorated, so I wrapped it and put the cover on it. The headliner is drooping a little at the sunroof panel. There is a small oil stain under the car, but leakage appears minimal.This car has never been in any accidents or collisions, to the best of my knowledge.All in all, it should be drivable with minimal effort, and is a good candidate for restoration, in my inexpert opinion.