KM : 40 725
YEAR: 01/1986
COLOUR: Rouge Vallelunga AC448 (EKB)
MODEL:
Limited edition of 2500 examples launched in 1985. Continued until 1987 for a total of 7257 examples.
DESIGN : The instructions from the management were to rejuvenate and energise the BX, a car of ‘the elderly’. The stylists were given carte blanche, and the design selected was that of one person, Jean-Claude Bouvier. It was accepted in its entirety.
These are its main features:
- A specific line above the rear wheel arches.
- Side body skirts.
- ‘Shield’ type bumpers with spoiler at the front and skirt at the back.
- Fog lights integrated into the front bumper.
- Rear spoiler: conceived at the beginning to need a central support strut, Mr Bouvier asked it to be made solid enough to not need this. The result: much more graceful.
- Exhaust outlets: at the last minute, the designer had wanted these to be rectangular with rounded corners, to fit the shapes of the car. On completion, the exhaust mouths were too small and too angular.
Jean-Claude Bouvier is also the father of the BX 4TC and of the C15. He was kind enough to send me a text he wrote describing the emotions of the designer.
MECHANICALS :
Engine 4 cylinder, 8 valve 1905cc, from the BX 19 GT (105 CV).
Transformed by the tuner Danielson to produce 126 CV.
Double twin-choke 40 Solex carburettors (34 in the BX 19GT).
5 speed short ratio gearbox.
Power steering. 4 wheel high pressure disc brakes.
Light alloy sports wheels. Low profile tyres 185 x 60 x 14
Top speed 195kph.
Price at the time:15930 euros (minimum monthly wage at the time: 670 euros)
HISTORY:
In the 1980s, the Calassou family was in charge of the Fumel dealership founded in 1917, one of the oldest along with that of Meyrueis in the Aveyron. At the end of 1985, Citroen assigned a BX Sport to each dealer. All of them were invited to collect their car at Rennes la Janais. On that particular day, 450 BX Sports were poised in the factory car park. Thrilling.
Madame Calassou was immediately won over: the car was responsive, Madame likes to drive fast, very fast, in line with the company’s unofficial advice: “ Whatever car is in front of you, you have to overtake it!”. The decision is made: This will be her personal car, for leisure.
Taking advantage of this trip to Brittany, the couple toured the region. After a night spent in Roscoff, they headed for Mont St Michel. During the journey, Madame noticed that a noise she had heard at the start of the journey in corners, had disappeared. The suitcase that had been in the boot had been forgotten in the hotel in Roscoff. Madame was abandoned at the beach at Mont St Michel, while her husband left to make the return journey to Roscoff.
Madame Calassou covered 33,000km at the wheel of this BX, one of her favourite cars. At the end of its use in 2000, the car was kept in a collection of thirty cars, including two new BX 4TCs. Madame Calassou had a hard time parting with her favourite, and so the BX Sport was the last one sold in 2016.
The new owner, a well-known dealer from the Aube, covered 7000 kilometres at the wheel. He then decided to put it up for auction on the 14th December 2022. There were few enthusiasts bidding at this time of holidays, allowing me to acquire the car at a reasonable price.