1962 CITROEN BIJOU - Lot 53

Lot 53
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Estimation :
10000 - 15000 EUR
Result with fees
Result : 20 760EUR
1962 CITROEN BIJOU - Lot 53
1962 CITROEN BIJOU Serial number : BJ0228 Rare Citroën Original Bijou brochure Collector's french title The Citroën Bijou is a small coupe manufactured for the British market by Citroën in the premises that the brand has occupied since 1925 in Slough, England, allowing local production for the British market without incurring the heavy import taxes. The 2CV was produced there from 1953 onwards, but without any real success and the Slough engineers decided to develop a small coupe based on the 2CV: the Bijou. The car used the same platform as the Citroën 2CV, sharing its front-to-rear interconnected independent suspension and the two-cylinder 425cc engine developing 12 hp. The bodywork is made entirely of plastic, which reduces the overall weight to about 490 kg. It is also a quick process to implement and less expensive to develop. The Bijou was designed by Peter Kirwan-Taylor, already known as the designer of the elegant 1957 Lotus Elite, another fiberglass car. Its aerodynamic shape allows it to outperform the 2CV at cruising speed! The dashboard is a mixture of what was found on the DS 19 and the 2CV at the time, as evidenced by the presence of the gear lever on the dashboard as well as the single-spoke steering wheel with its clear nylon-wrapped rim. Intended for use as a second car, mainly in the city, the Bijou is available in 5 sober colors (Coral, grey-green, burgundy red, soft grey, and beige like our model). The Bijou color chart also specifies that the leather seats, grey or red, are washable. The production will begin on November 9, 1959. Only 209 units of the Bijou were produced, and only for the British market (i.e. with right-hand drive). Indeed, the story was short because Citroën was losing money on each car, it had taken a specific assembly line for its manufacture, on the 4 only that counted the factory. Its production stopped in August 1964 - only 209 units came off the line in 5 years! If the Bijou has stood the test of time thanks to its non-rusting bodywork (made of fiberglass), it is obviously today the delight of Citroën collectors. But less than 50 survivors are known worldwide, including 4 in France. Our example was imported to France in 2016 by its current owner, then registered in 2019. It was fully restored in 2011 by the previous English owner (file, known history including registration certificates of previous owners). The car is in very good general condition and runs regularly including in vintage events. It is equipped with a 602 cc air-cooled flat twin engine, the owners of the time preferring it to the weaker 425 cc engine. Amateur of rarity as only Citroën has the secret, the Citroën Bijou is made for you! A golden opportunity to buy this family jewel!
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