KM: 11 212 Kms
YEAR: 02 Mai 1978
COLOUR: Rouge Géranium AC 435
MODEL:
First version known as the “Visa snout” (or “pig nose” in the UK), recognisable by its rubber bumpers, until the new Visa 2 appeared in march 1981.
Transverse engine from the Peugeot 104, 4 cylinders of 1,124 cc. 57 Ch DIN. 144 km/hr.
- Disc brakes at the front.
- First satellite controls around the steering wheel, before it appeared on the GSA.
- Single windscreen wiper at the front.
Price at the time: 25,800 Francs (the most expensive version).
HISTORY:
One of the very earliest Visa’s, pulled off the production line to serve in the advertise-ments for the new car in the summer of 1978. It was only driven for a few months. It was conserved by Citroen up until the Conservatoire decided to sell it at auction in November 2017.
At the time of this auction, the car was offered as non-registrable, due to the absence of a ‘cold stamp’ and chassis plate in the usual place that serves to identify it. One aspect convinced me to acquire this car. Its registration number appeared in certain documents at the time (notably the review by the “Double Chevron”), proving that this car was well used in the press campaign of 1978 that was made in Greece.
At the time of purchase, I went ahead and thoroughly cleaned the car.
During cleaning, a leaded plaque appeared under the rear seat as well as a type approval cold stamp (photo attached here), proving the single vehicle type approval. I was lucky that these points were not mentioned at the auction.
Later I got the information that the car was registered for the first time the 2nd of May 1978, 4 months before its marketing. That means it could be the really first Visa built. Starting it proved to be no problem.