My friend's family were the original owners of this very car and have many happy memories of life with it. They were thrilled to discover it still existed via Facebook a few months ago :)
Steph, you're gorgeous. As a gay man and true petrol head, lover of classics cars, especially maligned brands and marques, owner of an MX5 now, two time metro, one time Citroen ZX, volvo 360, 440, vw 1303, passat, Vento, jetta, Alfa 147, 156 Fiat Bravo, Peugeot 605, 406, 306 and many others, your videos are lovely, your enthusiasm infectious (not the best use of language now, I know) and Cameron is great. I'd love to be your mate. Keep doing what you do, and keep the fabulous content coming. Stay safe X
One of the editors of Jalopnik wrote an article called "American Cars Just Aren't French Enough!" and I pointed out one of the things I liked about French cars was, how the rear axle is pushed further back in the chassis than most cars from other countries. The ID/DS and the CX rocked it!
One of the BEST cars EVER! I tried to get my Dad to buy a CX Gti Turbo saloon in the 1980s! He almost did! I would have been such a happy kid if he had!
These always fascinated me. They were so much ahead of their time. The only CX Safari I sat in was one at a car auction. What immediately became apparent was the ergonomics, quite unlike anything I had known before. Feet fell right on the pedals, put your hands on the steering wheel and all controls were at your fingertips. Even when I went to get out I put my arm on the door armrest and my fingers fell right on the door handle. That’s design detail of the highest degree.
I love my CX even if the parts are hard to find and expensive. Not the easiest car to work on but it's all worth it when cruising along on the magic carpet ride.
I'm amazed to find these came equipped with self-leveling suspension. Here in the states, you could only find that option in higher-end luxury cars. I love Citroen. Thanks for reviewing this! I love how they worked hard to make everything on the dash within the driver's reach. I think that's so important for that cockpit feel.
Great review, Steph! I like your description of "gliding along the road like a swan on a pond" perfectly sums up how those old Citroens float along the roads.
Luvverly Jubbly ....... Got married in 1970, our wedding car was a DS Safari :-) In the 80's we bought a CX2000 Safari 7 seater, had it a few years, kids got teased as their Mum took them to school in 'The GhostBuster' :-) ...... My missus managed to clout EVERY panel on the car before we got shot of it. Our 'main cars' have been Volvo's & Citroen's since.
I wouldn´t worry for the safety of the CX - someone I know was involved in an accident in one and walked away almost without any injuries at all, just a few minor cuts from broken glas. Her mother, who was driving, crashed into the back a stationary lorry...
Brings back fond memories of my parents 1978 CX 20 in metallic blue. I learnt to drive in it and on driving a " normal " car I realised how special the CX was. I was whipping up the M1 one day when it made a big bang and started misfiring (in the outside lane) Pulled over and had a look, it had blown a spark plug clean out the engine and put a big jump in the bonnet. So I scratched my head and opened the boot,to my delight my dad (old skool,born in 1942,) was bought up in a time when breakdowns were a consequence of driving,so he carried an emergency kit, plyers,hammer,cable tie,1 spark plug and emergency fan belt😀 So I managed to get the plug in and made it home.
A few CX saloons made it to the United States in the mid-late 1980s. They were marketed under the name CX Automotive (better for not running afoul of PSA who were still selling Peugeots), and there were agencies in several large cities. There was an agency outside Atlanta with multiple units in stock. A few federalised cars may still remain in the United States.
@@wanderinggentile I think that after 25 years you can import non-federalized cars into the US. Of course, finding a Citroen specialist might be a bit difficult.
My elder brother owned garages and prepared cars for film stunt work, got involved with the Citroen GS TV adds where the front wheel punctured and the cars was able to drive on in safety. Citroen sold him a CX Safari in deep red at a very attractive price. The car was used as a camera car in many films as the suspension made for great ride. It was also great for towing car trailer and the suspension made loading easy by putting it in high mode, the tail of the trailer then nearly touched the ground. I got involved between construction projects and one was prepping the CV's for the Bond film The Spy Who Loved Me, two had GS engines fitted and could burn a Triumph TR7 away from the lights which discussed the owner. I used the Safari to tow an Ex AA recovery trailer to Cupar in Scotland to meet a circus for a Land Rover add, The idea was for the New Land Rover Defender V8 to be photographed towing the trailer with an elephant wear scuba gear!!!!! Well the Defender did not turn up, so the Safari took it's place and was photo shopped out later. carriage
In 1978 my father bought a CX 2400 Super Familalle C Matic. It was a superb 7 seater car. we have traveled to Europe several times, Wow that was 42 years ago. !!!
I have the 1985 Series 2 CX25 RD and a 2003 Citroën C5. XM and DS is the only big cars that I'm mising out on so far. I also have a few things from BX and GS/GSA including dash cluster and so on. And your 10/10 doesn't cover the fact that 1. Puncture in the front wheels does not affect the steering, car will still go straight without you having to fight the force 2. It can drive on 3 wheels, left rear taken off, it can still be moved out of harms way, same goes for right side rear. 3. You covered the steering already 4. Being front heavy, it can traverse steep bumps while dipping the nose down, rear will come up on one side if you clip it on the other side in the front. 5. You can be lazy, changing the wheels enables you to take whatever support you can find along the roadside to keep the car lifted, put it under, put hydraulics on lowest setting and rejoice to the magic of wheels that lift itself off the ground. And as I said, I have two Citroën with hydraulics :)
Very underrated car. Never driven one of these but this car has always been of interest to me. Stay blessed Steph. Oh this car had great suspension gave one of the best rides, so I heard.
good review. car seemed smooth and quiet. Steph you are improving on your analysis, and i loved the bit in the bushes. that was hilarious! do that kind of quirky stuff more!
Bought one brand new in 1989, it was a Family 8 seater. Wonderful thing but tractor engine. No problems but clutch operating arm broke off. A case of Gallic welding!
10/10 for this old masterpiece, and 10/10 for the video too! I've had 6 Citroen CX's (all at the same time at one point!) including 2 estates (Familiale Turbo Diesel 2 1988 and a Cog-Driven 2500D from 1979), such gorgeous cars and lovely to hear you enjoyed driving this one!
Hi Steph, great to see the CX get some love. Personally I think they were Citroen’s greatest achievement, especially when fitted with the Douvrin all alloy engine as that one was. Regarding the safety aspect, Citroen always espoused what they called ‘primary safety’ which involved avoiding an accident by means of superb handling and braking. They did try to consider ‘secondary safety’ by the early use of daft touch plastics, scalloping the dashboard in front of the passenger and by curving the door cards in such a way as to allow the body to slide against them without catching on any protruding components such as door handles and pulls, hence the unusual pistol grip door release you mentioned. As you may have gathered, I love CX’s. Cheers and stay safe love.
My folks got a silver one of these in '76, I remember we use to go out in it for the day to the lakes, it was the perfect family car. Now it does not just seem ahead of its time but from a different world, the first ones also seemed to be swisher inside with things like recessed polished metal interior door triggers, guess the later models were cheapened because of the Peugeot takeover, like Fulvias were when Fiat took over Lancia. Great to see this car still on the road and being appreciated, thank you and all take care and keep safe.
I love this car so much. I practically grew up in these since my dad owned around 8 or 9 CX estates (all were Safaris but there was one Familiale). Congrats on the video about such a wonderful car
Wow, thank you Steph, great video and so nostalgic for me. I had a saloon version back in the late 80's. I loved that car it was such a comfortable and smooth ride way ahead of its time back in the day...
The smoothest of rides... I remember seeing one completely filled up with bricks and paving slabs! They were used as ambulances in France. Unfortunately, you're the last one to know if your car's got a puncture! By the time you find out, there's no tyre left!
What a great video to wake up to Steph! Citroen have always been my favourite carmakers, and the CX is my favourite ever car. My favourite Matchbox car was a blue CX Estate! I love the looks, the spaceage, quirky interior. Beautiful car. Good to see the lovely Cameron as well obvs. If hes dead in gay years I must be a fossil! 🤣
Beautiful cars back in the day, these safaris were very popular with some of the top speedway riders in the 80s, they would take out the front wheel and drop the handlebars and the whole bike would be pushed backwards into the car.
I came here from HubNut. In the 80's I had a business in rural South Australia. One of my suppliers was a family business in rural NSW. The husband ran the factory, and the wife was a representative. She drove a CX 2400 Saloon (I think it was a Pallas) everywhere. On her trip to see me as well as other customers she would cover around 3500 km. There was plenty of room for her samples and suitcase, and, of course, it was always level. The CX made quite an impression in small country towns. I don't think anybody had seen one!
I must give you a compliment, to your straightforward explanation of the CX Safari, or Familiale. I have looked for videos on YT for the CX, but this is the most admirable description that I have discovered. Many thanks for your research and investigation.
Oooooh a CX Estate. These have always been a car on my list of cars to seek to buy at some point. Lovely lovely car. Great video Steph! Love all of Cameron's cars. Has he got anything that we haven't seen yet?
The CX is a worthy modern incarnation of the DS. Glad you were enchanted. The wagon and Prestige had the same wheelbase as a DS - 123 inches and rode even better than the sedan. You have to go to a longwheelbase RR Silver Shadow to equal it. The Shadow also had Citroen self levelling rear suspension under licence. The CX has two 'longerons' or subchassis with the body mounted on them with rubber mounts. The concave rear window on the sedan was self cleaning thru aerodynamics. The thing that killed CXs in Europe and the UK was rapid rusting, only matched by Alfasuds. The ventilation and air conditioning are feeble with lack of airflow thru small vents and small air intake. Otherwise fabulous. One of the best load bearing cars and tow cars ever made due to the longwheelbase and self levelling hydropneumatic suspension. In Australia my dad had a CX2400 Pallas C Matic and I had a CX2400 EFI 5 speed Prestige - magic chariot. I see the first Citroen you drove was a BX. Maybe you should try the CXs little brother - the GS. A hugely impressive small car that was quite popular in the UK.
Everyone talks about the design and the suspension, but the real gem in the CX are the engine, they are some of the most reliable, maintenance free high mile engines out there, quite the same quality as a Volvo 940 or first and second generation V70, I once heard a story of a citroen specialist said he has never revisioned a CX engine for the lack of need of it. But correct me please if I am wrong.
This is a truly brilliant car. You have done great job here showing the complete oddness and futurism. More Citroens please (when we can all drive again!)
Great review Stephanie, as always... I love this CX estate, I remember doing some trips from Porto to the Douro valley in one just like that but with 2 rows of back seats, full with kids and the car always smelled horribly inside because during the trip, as it would be through quite twisty roads, a lot of us kids would become nauseated and start to vomit, sometimes before the car would stop... except from that I remember it was very advanced for the time and extremely confortable!
I had several of these, and a GTI, great cars. On everything I've had since I've had to seasonally clean up salty and partially seized brake calipers, never had that problem on these. Nothing drives like a big Citroën.
Trying to get my 81 Prestige back on the road after seven years in the shed. Converting from automatic to manual. Almost managed to install the gear linkage and the clutch pedal today. Amazingly found all the bits in my shed (I got heaps of CX parts) so I did not have to pull anything from the wreck I have as I found many brown snake skins in it, and the eastern brown being about most poisonous snake in the world I got bit nervous poking around.
My Teenage Girlfriends Parents had a CX called Familiale . And one of our German tenants had a Passat CX that easy hit 220Km/h, he showed me how the car still could accelerate when driving 220 on German Autobahn.
Although not quite the same thing, watching this reminded me of taking a big boxy late 80s Peugeot 405 diesel estate for a drive around the country. Was a lovely big comfy drive, the thing was built like a bus and you felt like you owned the road and nothing can touch you. It ran on vegetable oil too, so left all the passers by really fancying some chippy chips!
My favorite of your videos so far! Many thanks to you and Cameron for a bright day of sunshine in this gloomy time. All the great, informative content we've come to expect plus the added bonus of stalking your prey and Cameron's marvelous stories. The Citroen lurking in the garage and plotting against him was hilarious. And take it from someone who is a classic himself, you two still have plenty of shelf life before your sell-by date. Stay well. Big hugs to all from Big D (little A-double L-A-S).
What a wonderfully bonkers and odd looking car. I absolutely love these, anything quirky gets my vote! This is a great video Steph. Hope you are keeping safe! Big hugs
I've always loved the shape of the Citroen. When I was a child in the sixties, seventies and eghties, they were something special. The aerodynamics, the hydraulic suspension, etc, etc, etc, so futuristic through 'the eyes of a child.' However, even now, 50 odd years later, they still look like no other car on the road!
Hi, the name Citroen gave to the console commands (lights, horn, wipers) placed on that ergonomic way was...satellites. The satellites near the steering wheel where all commands were placed. That car needs lot of love and attention, specially on the interior (that middle console with the radio is ruined) the seats need new upholstery, and of course the painting as well (color is sable métallisé ). The motor seems to run very well. I’m love Citroens and I have a DS. Kisses from Portugal, and very nice review by the way 😉
Great Video steph I saw you advertise your channel on the citroen Facebook page and so far this is the 3rd video of yours that I have watched and love your content. I started doing content on RU-vid myself due to corona virus and the fact my little ZX needed to be re-commissioned to be back on the road, it is still a work in progress but I would love an honest review / opinion on my citroen zx. If you would be willing to do that it should be ready to be driven again in about a months time. Kind regards Harrison (TheZXGuy P.S you have a new subscriber 😉
Another great vid there Steph thanks. Enjoyed every year/mile in my Familiale. Taught all af my 4 children to drive.....and still on the same original clutch! It did get a new plate after 100k miles. Happy Days.
Just love the thought and design flair that went into the early Citroens. You just don't see that individuality in cars today. Great review Steph. Thank you and stay safe.
idriveaclassic New Zealand based unfortunately otherwise you would be most welcome 😊. Hubnut had a short drive in my 2CV when he was here and it was great to meet him in person 😎 . Maybe a visit to NZ is something you could plan for the future when the pandemic has cleared 😉👍🏻.
@@idriveaclassic go and visit Graham Morton Vehicles in Holmfirth......he always has a couple of D's in .....i restored mine there but sadly sold it . after this Pandemic has cleared i'm sure he'd oblige, he's a top guy and his colleague Andy....also his garage is full of other stuff and memorabilia mainly French, he has a 1930 Citroen truck there....its like a museum ...check it out hun !
Probably a little too quirky for us Brits in the 1970s/80s. I can tell you a bit about the steering wheel though - this was a safety feature. In the days before airbags, some (especially French) manufacturers attached the steering wheel circle minimally so that it would break in the event of an accident. This way is doesn’t hurt the driver quite so much.
I remember the taxi that took my family to the airport in 1982 was a Citroen CX estate. The nearest rival to the CX estate was the Peugeot 504 and 505 estate.
Awesome review - I have a 1982 Series 1 CX Prestige down here in South Africa - an ex colony of Britain. In the 1781s the French made a half-hearted attempt at colonizing South Africa by trying to drive out the Brits in the Cape -- due to events in Europe this failed -- imagine if France took over SA - we would never have had Leylands, Rovers, Minis or Triumphs -- let alone Bentleys or RR... and ONLY Peugeouts, Renaults and lots of Citroens. Currently a craze of people restoring DSe . So in the 20th Century we did have the French cars here in SA - but Citroen was imported by a private company initially -- Citroen is currently back in SA together with Peugeot - the PSA concoction scares me -- Ill in the meantime just enjoy my last original Citroen. Oh yeah, as a student I also had a GS and the X2 Le Mans version - fantastique cars. Now be a darling and go and get hold of a CX Series 1 with a divari steering - the Prestige - then u go and sit in the back and drink champagne -- imagine -- cigarette lighters everywhere, but no safetybelts in the rear... at least not in my model xx Hugs from sunny South Africa
Citroën started with crash safety long before most of the others. There are stuff on RU-vid too look after. And a friend of mine crashed head on with a much newer E-class Merc. My friend broke one arm, the driver of the Merc spent three month in hospital. I can luckily only tell of my own experience that it's very hard to actually crash a Citroën. I have "tried", but the handling is so good they never ever need any electronic stuff to keep them under control. For an old Citroën to act as a "normal" car, it has to be severely damaged or broken. So never worry when driving a CX. It will look after you.
Always had a soft spot for the Cx, driven quite a few with working for Citroën in the past, here and abroad, I even owned a Mk2 Cx 2.5 gti auto saloon about 10 years ago, my advice for the owner is to maintain the hydraulic system throughout and corrosion is a problem as well so look after the subframe and vulnerable areas like the bulkhead, sills and rear inner wheel arches, the engine (Renault) and gearbox (Citroën) are usually reliable but of course that’s all down to a good service history ! Happy wafting along mate !! P.S The self centring steering is called “Diravi” 😎
Citroen's famous suicidal self centring steering, which means that you not only steered the car into bends, you had to steer them out as well. If you let the wheel go and let it run through your hands, you were in a ditch on the other side of the road. Steph, BTW don't confuse handling with steering.
Love big Citroens! Amazingly unique style and quirky features, especially the suspension. Almost bought a late 60's DS sedan but dad said 'no', so never did get my hands on one 😔. Another great video, thanks!
Steering wheel system of self turning to the center was called Diravi (spelled dee-ravee). A friend of mine had on of those CX but the sedan diesel version and the Diravi was sometimes tricky like when exiting a garage in a angle or a tight place and while waiting for traffic to pass the sucker was again aligned which caused bumping into a wall or parking barrier :)
Loving your videos. The CX was the last true Citröen which is sad as the quirky yet advanced engineering was something to behold. Interesting to note that the design of the saloon was originally a concept by Pininfarina built on an Austin 1800 chassis in 1967. They also produced a concept based on the Austin 1100 which was effectively the GS.
