Cheap Project: 1966 Citroen Ami 6 Break Wagon
Two important things to consider when searching for a project are cost factors, including both the initial investment and also what it’s going to take afterward to get the auto back on the road. With an asking price of $4,000, there’s a good possibility that the future owner of this 1966 Citroen Ami 6 Break will still have some capital left over to sink into this one. Second, if you’re going to put all that time and effort into a restoration, why not find something that it’s unlikely anybody else in your neighborhood will have? One of the points the seller here makes is that you won’t see another anywhere, and I have to agree once this mini-wagon is roadworthy again, it’s probably safe to say that motorists everywhere will be eager to talk about it.
We’d like to thank Barn Finds reader Paul in MA for sending us his fun tip here! The Ami had a fairly long life cycle, with Citroen introducing the model into their lineup in 1961, where it remained in production until 1978. These were mainly targeted toward buyers who were looking for something economical, and although we don’t get to see a photo from under the hood, the drivetrain features a two-cylinder engine paired with a 4-speed manual transmission. The seller tells us that the motor is free and appears to have compression.
This one hasn’t been registered since 1978, and there’s no word on where it’s been stored for the past 46 years. However, the owner states that there are no serious rust issues, though there are a few dents and body blunders present. I’m guessing replacement parts might be difficult to find, so hopefully, most of the panels will be salvageable with just some careful massaging. Being a front-wheel-drive, it’s also interesting to see how simple the platform is here, which stands out even at eye level.
I always liked the steering wheel design of a Citroen, with some of the more upscale offerings receiving a full cosmetic treatment. The one here has a more industrial look, but it’s still sort of cool and the seller must think so too, as he shows us another view of the helm from the side angle. This 1966 Citroen Ami 6 Break is up in the beautiful New England area of Hudson, Massachusetts, and can be found here on Facebook Marketplace. It’s also possible that the price might be negotiable, as the seller mentions he’s ready to consider the first reasonable offer. What are your thoughts on this unusual station wagon?
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Comments
Be honest, how many here burst out loud laughing? The poor French, they mean well, but just don’t think like us Americans do. I mean, look at it, it’s unconventional in practically every way. The outside has our 60s boat designs, moving inside, what the heck is that? The shifter? Good grief, an IH Loadstar, it ain’t. And the steering wheel is right off my old Murray go-kart, and appears to be adjustable?. I realize the irony from someone that adores Ramblers, but really odd, from an Americans point of view. I always wondered if there was a BarnFinds French Edition where all the French gather and laugh at our Gremlins, Marlins and such? With the eclectic mix of individuals in my area, this would be right at home. Some, um , performance specs, if you could call them that, it has an alleged top speed of 71 mph, does 0-60 in a blistering 45.5 seconds( it takes a whopping 23 seconds to get from 50 to 60), and the 1/4 mile, about 26 seconds, so on par with a VW, and clearly not their intent.
ring, ring, hello Autoplace, how can I help you? A dist. cap for a ’66 Citroen Ami, I’ll hold,,,you do? I’ll be right over,,
“Which engine?”
“Two or four door?”
“What transmission?”
“What color?”
“Is the ash tray dirty?”
“Upholstery color?”
“Sunroof?”
“CD or 8 track?”
“No we don’t have one- must be a ferrin’ job. However, we have a universal fit one- the computer says that it fits all four and six cylinder engines built after WW II.”
Sorry, but a Citroen Ami has not got a distributor cap – but the same ignition system as the 2 CV.
Since most of the mecanics are ” 2 CV “, there is no real problem in getting spares.
Plenty of Amis ( which means ” friend ” ) left in France – but highly overpriced.
Steering – wheel is, of course, n o t adjustable.
Say what you will, but this thing gets great gas mileage I’ll wager. As long as you don’t have to go very fast that is.
To me it’s more like where the Pontiac Aztec got it’s design! Is it a 2 stroke engine? Maybe drop a Subaru 360 engine in it. Oh wait, a Hayabusa! Naaa! Definitely a SBC?
Its a 4 stroke hemi and World record holder for highest altitude driving automobile with naturally aspirated engine in the high Andes mountains.
From Jules Citroen enthusiast !
The lead photo looks like it’s saying, “Help me! I’m being held prisoner in the United States! Look what they’ve done to me! Bring me back to France now!”
The Ami is a Citroen 2CV underneath, with the two cylinder engine, four speed transmission, air cooled, single carburetor, front wheel drive, compliant suspension, completely simple but rather odd in a rational sort of way. Butt ugly. Likely approaches 50 mpg, but won’t go much faster that 50 mph. I rather like the French approach to the automobile engineering world, the styling part is quirky to say the least. I have enjoyed owning and driving Citroens, Peugeots, Renaults but haven’t had a French car in a decade or so. Still would like a Peugeot 504 convertible.
Beautiful, comfortable, adequate performance, but “where will you get the parts?”
It is so damn ugly that it is cute! This is a Toons car, I hope someone brings it back to life.
Great fun car…in the 2 CV tradition…a head turner and conversation starter where ever you go…and so French
French maids , yes!
Citroen, no.
U like ladies who skip baths (2 busy)’n like 2 give U lots of verbal chit? (o0OP, me 2). Vive les dames
French cars have long intrigued me. Largely for their Avant Guard styling. Kind of the polar opposite of a boat tail Riviera. This is just so much fun to look at, like maybe a ’61 Plymouth. That shifter will be a learning curve and some wrist action to master. There’s a lot of fun to be had here. Also some more interesting cars seen in the background.
Show up at the 24 Hours of Lemons in that pile and you’re the winner. So ghastly it’s pretty for lack of better words. Really like this unit.
One of those BMW R bike engine swaps would lively this up. I imagine it would be a heap of fun with 135 horsepower.
http://www.sparrowautomotive.co.uk/citroen2cvbmw.html
Pete’s a busy boy with those conversions; he also found time to win the 24hr race last weekend.
It’s fairly easy to get a bit more power out of the stock engines, too; another ten or so bhp. You might sneer at 10bhp but when it’s 30-odd% of what you started with, it makes quite a difference!
In it’s current state, 4000 is an optimistic asking price to say the least. This wasn’t a high end car. To the question of where do you get parts, there are plenty of sites that provide French auto parts and thanks to the internet, people can now easily find them. They may not be at your local Autozone but if you can wait a week for delivery, easily obtained. Silly when people in 2024 still look at foreign cars that were well mass produced and scratch their heads about parts. It ain’t 1970. You don’t even have to get off your butt and drive to any parts store. Just order on line and wait a little.
You are right, most parts to keep a car like this operational can be found without much difficulty, the problem will be with trim, interior and other make/model specific parts. The funny thing is, the true issues with parts availability is coming down the road and it going to effect late model cars and their complex systems of ECU’s and other electrical components. That is especially true with a lot of German cars BMW/Mercedes but it’s working it’s way into domestic vehicles. A friend with an late-90’s Corvette he uses as a track car said some electric components related to the brakes and suspension are no longer available through GM and aren’t available through the aftermarket, used is the only option.
Steve R
We had a lot of fun with ours! She went from sad and ugly to silly and shinny with some love and a buffer.
https://youtu.be/Y7wCorDZ8vY
Ahhh put a LS in it ! Can you imagine those skinny tires trying to get traction? Burn out competition with a line lock? The mad hatter is in business!
This is the kind of car a used car lot or a salvage yard would put high up on a pole with their business name on it to attract attention
Ami6, Sedan or wagon (break), were great cars, smart cars in the spirit of the iconic 2CV from which it borrows most underpinnings. Roomy in the space efficient sense (fwd), comfortable (suspension, seats) for a family of 4, economical, reliable, great steering, great road manners…..yes!, it was easy back then to accept the side effects of its humble engine. Its looks are not questionable, it is UGLY….yet it stood out, you didn’t go about unnoticed, whatever that meant for each owner. This being said, this example most probably needs more work than our eye can see (chassis?) ….asking price is out of line imho.
Chassis can be had from Ken Hanna.
Dali had to design that front hood
Ahhh, I used to have a 1964 Ami-6. Sedan. Pink color. The tri-fecta of unusual to say the least. I was in NH when I found it. The owner gave it to me as he hadn’t had it running in maybe a decade. This post makes me wonder whatever happened to it.
You ‘ll easily find spare parts in France and Europe (especialy Neederlands and Germany) as we, in France find our spare parts for our American cars out in the U.S !
If ever there was a candidate for a LS swap….
this is a fine car with careful engineering …no need to consider some American abomination by putting an American engine in it…..sacrebleau
Oh c’mon. The stoplight escapades one could pull off would be worth the alleged sacrilege.
That’s not it. Happy to finish the sentence for you.
I can’t get over that crazy steering wheel.
I also had a DS 21. Citroens were famous for their 1 spoke steering wheels
I know, Ive seen them before, I just kind of hate them lol.
The steering wheel was developed for the high end DS19 models a few years before…was proven to gracefully absorb impact and not shatter and impale the driver in a collision!
From Jules, a veteran Citroen owner & enthusiast!
Please, put back in barn, lock up, and throw away key!
What Dreyfuss would drive in ’66 after he married Suzanne Somers & had kids?
I understand these cars are quite rare in the us, but this one is far too expensive and requires a lot of work. You can find nicer examples in france for much less money. Now I really wonder why an american guy would buy this except if he wants to have an exotic car.
Now these things are funny to drive, use very little fuel, are easy to work on and virtually can go anywhere thanks to its incredible road handling.
Who in the world would fix this up? If you are that stupid I have a Kaiser I’ll sell you for $400. before it goes to the scrap.
There was a later Super Ami version with a GSA engine. Had a ride in one – the driver ‘ fully understanding how well it went ‘ That was years ago and remember every mile of the journey. French taxation once again against it re sales-hence the popularity of 2CV/Renault 4L etc
Googled 2cv parts, there are plenty available, even performance parts like 9:1 pistons and heads. Somebody needs to restore this baby.