1969 Citroën Ami 6 Break: Affordable Continental Style
Culture
Oddities
Classics
European
Citroën made nearly 2 million examples of the Ami over two decades of production. However, the French automaker never exported the family economy car to the United States. That makes the 1969 Ami 6 recently available on eBay a rare sight on this side of the pond.
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This adorable 1969 Ami (French for friend) is the station wagon variant, or Break in Citroën speak. Originally an estate car on the French Riviera, this Ami saw light use over the years. It eventually ended up in Canada, where the still low mileage and well-kept Ami received a respray in the original Bordeaux red.
A vintage sales brochure shows the Ami at the French Riviera, where this car started its life.
The globe-trotting Citroën later relocated to Southern California, where it was meant to be a shuttle car for a boutique hotel. Those plans never materialized. The Ami, now offered with about 35,000 miles, has plenty of life left. Who knows where it might go next?
Style Over Speed
The Citroën’s power comes from an air-cooled, 602-cc, flat two-cylinder engine. The Ami, factory rated at 32 horsepower, is capable of over 75 mph—although getting to a highway velocity requires patience. But this car is built for style not speed. And it’s loaded with panache.
The Ami has an endearing, if not amusing, face—featuring quad concave headlights flanking a drooping hood and a cut oval grille over its delicate front bumpers. The burgundy paint gleams like new, and all factory chrome is in place.
From a side profile, the windows angled back suggest motion. The flowing bodywork is punctuated by the partially concealed rear wheels and upswept chrome tail. The side windows slide to open rather than rolling down. The rear hatch opens to reveal a surprisingly large cargo area.
Red Velour and a Quirky Steering Wheel
Open the door, and the car’s brilliant red velour interior greets you. The seats and door panels are in excellent condition. Contrasting gray carpet covers the floors. The dashboard, controls, and minimal instrumentation all look new. But what stands out is the Citroën single-spoke steering wheel, along with the shifter that juts out from under the dash.
Recent work includes a carburetor rebuild, a new starter, and a tune-up along with new ignition wires - opens in new window or tab. and filters. Despite its rarity, parts are not hard to find because Citroën issued these cars at volume. Start your search for Ami parts on eBay Motors - opens in new window or tab..
With a Buy-It-Now price of $19,500, this Citroën Ami 6 Break must be one of the finest examples you can find. It would be a hit at the local car show. Slip on a beret, pack a baguette and some brie, pop open a bottle of Bordeaux—and you’re sure to make new friends.
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