Citroën Ami

Citroën Ami 6 Berline ( 1961-1969 )

On April 24, 1961 Citroën Ami 6 was small sedan introduced to the journalists. The controversial design with the inwardly sloping rear window was by Flaminio Bertoni. Ami called in German friend. " L' Ami Six" to German " friend of the 6 " sounds in French as " la Missis " to German: Fraulein.

Development

In the 1950s, the French car manufacturer Citroën two big seller in its range of vehicles: the Citroen DS as a revolutionary luxury sedan, and at the other end of the scale the Spartan people's car of the French, the 2CV. However, what was missing was a mid-size car for those who are a duck too small and the DS was too expensive. Therefore chose the mid-1950s to close this gap.

The specifications of the Director General Pierre Bercot at the body shop was difficult to realize: a large trunk, optimum use of space and comfort for all passengers, the length of the vehicle did not exceed 4 meters - and construct all of this without a station wagon.

After a series of designs by the project M (M = middle class ), some based on a stripped- DS with hydropneumatic system (prototype C -60), but the desired sales price would not let the elaborate suspension to. It was therefore decided to develop on the basis of the platform and mechanics of the 2CV a vehicle. The revolutionary independent suspension front and rear wheels to swing with a longitudinal spring element has been adopted in principle, but adapted for the now heavier and larger cars. In Rennes, a car factory was built specifically for this and other future models.

Model history

The air-cooled two-cylinder boxer engine based on the 2CV was enlarged for the Ami 6 to 602 cc with 22 hp SAE / DIN 19.5 - hp. The centrifugal clutch of the 2CV was modified according to the stronger performance. The interior leaned heavily on the Citroën DS. The specially constructed of rectangular Cibie headlights awarded thanks to small accessory reflectors 26 percent more light output compared to conventional round headlamps.

On the initial criticism the work already responded in September 1961 and donated to the Ami 6 rear sliding window and an openable from the outside trunk lid - until then the trunk via a cable to the inner rear bench seat was open.

In September 1963, the Ami 6 was given a more powerful engine with 24.5 hp ( 18 kW ) with an unchanged displacement.

In November 1964, the combination of the Ami 6 was followed by the traditional name Break.

Beginning of 1968 the engine was again increased. With the same displacement, he now made ​​with higher compression and a carburetor 32 hp (24 kW).

In March 1969, the Ami 6 was replaced by a conventional designed Ami 8.

Resonance

Despite the initial criticism of his appearance of Ami 6 was due to its "reasonable" design a complete success - 1966 was the Ami 6, the bestselling car in France.

From the beginning of 1961 to the spring of 1969 a total of 1,039,384 copies of the Ami 6 were prepared.