Citroen Icons to Be Auctioned Without Reserve

Fans of the French manufacturer are given the chance to own three of the most unconventional models produced by Citroen within five decades, as the cars are to be auctioned without reserve price at Shannons Melbourne Spring Auction on August 31.

The eldest model is a 1924 Citroen 5CV Type C Roadster, also known as Le Petit Citron (‘the little lemon’). The 5CV was the third and smallest of the first three cars built by Andre Citroen, who was the first European carmaker to employ American mass-production techniques.

The model gained popularity with women in those days thanks to its ease of operation and low running costs, as it was equipped with a 856cc four-cylinder engine and an electric starter. The car, fitted with boat-tail body finished in bright yellow with beige upholstery, is expected to fetch between $10,000-$15,000.

The second model is a 11CV (or ‘Light 15’ as it was named for UK) featured front-wheel drive, monocoque construction, hydraulic brakes, independent front suspension, rack and pinion steering and torsion bar suspension, becoming a trendsetter in the industry.

The car that will go under the hammer was manufactured in 1956 and is among the latest of its kind produced, now expected to fetch between $5,000-$8,000.

And the third and the last Citroen that will be auctioned at Shannons is a 1973 Citroen DS23 Safari Wagon. Originally delivered to a doctor from Menindie, South Australia in 1974, this very rare DS23 Safari Wagon was later sold back to an Australian Citroen dealership.

Only offered for sale due to the current owner’s ill health, the Citroen comes with the original service books, owner’s manual and many receipts and is expected to be sold for a sum within the 15,000-$20,000 range.