KM: 1 936 Kms
YEAR: 03/1986
COLOUR: Beige Atlas ECF
MODEL:
Enterprise version 2 seats, equipped with the flat 4 engine of the GSA, 1,129 cc, aircooled, 57CV DIN.
Available also with the 1,299 cc engine from the GSA.
GSA gearbox with front disc brakes.
3 other versions:
- Base model, 1129cc engine, sold 5,792 euros at a lower price than the 2CV (5,213 euros).
- Axel 11 RE: Same engine but with better trim.
- Axel 12 TRS: Engine of 1,299 cc, alloy wheels.
The Axel is the last 100% pure Citroen, as the Y project was conceived in 1974, although not sold in France until 1984 up to 1990, following agreements made with the Romanian dictator Ceausescu. In fact, the real intention of the Romanian president of being involved with Citroen over the Axel project, was industrial espionage. The version Oltcit for the Romanian market sold badly. PSA sold the Axel in non-communist countries.
Sold 10 years after its conception, it was also a commercial flop.
Price at the time: 5,792 euros (Minimum monthly salary = 670 euros).
HISTORY:
The first owner was a real character. He was a department head of the airport at Orly, lived alone and answered only to himself. With time, he became afflicted with Diogène syndrome, which meant he obsessively hoarded objects. This Axel was bought without any purpose (he didn’t have any driving license!), on passing in front of a Citroen dealer one day. It was then left in the parking of his Paris block of flats. He liked to go on pointless train journeys around Paris. He also liked to walk aimlessly on foot in town. He kept piles of objects that he had no use for.
His illness led him to be admitted to a hospice near to Reims, not far from his brother who dealt with emptying his home, which was no mean undertaking. In the underground parking, under 20 years of dust from the Parisian traffic, the Axel was waiting to be resurrected.
The brother brought the car by transporter to Reims to be put back in order and change the key switch, with the key being lost. It was advertised for sale. A Citroen fan from that region, Jean-Michel Matras was kind enough to look at it before I acquire the car.
On arrival at my museum, the car goes through my workshop before being put on display. On cleaning, I was surprised to find the key under the seat!