1976 Citroën CX Prestige

As if the CX wasn’t already special enough, this example adds another dimension to this by being the infinitely rarer Prestige model. The Prestige was designed for those who preferred to be driven by essentially becoming a well-appointed limousine version of the standard saloon. A full 25 centimetres was added to the wheelbase, all for the benefit of the rear passengers, giving the car unrivalled levels of rear legroom. The fixtures and fittings got a Palace of Versailles style boost, too, with buttoned “Rhovyline” velour upholstery and rear footrests.

This example is one of 2,570 Prestiges built in 1976 and was originally supplied to the French home market and lightly used there until 2012. At that point the Prestige was bought at auction in Fontainebleau by the current owner. The Prestige was returned to the UK where it underwent a thorough recommissioning at the hands of renowned Citroen specialists BL Autos. This work was undertaken at a cost of over £10,000 at around 33,500 km, under 12,000 km ago (7,500 miles).

It is only with the sad passing of the owner that this sublime Citroen is now being offered to market. This is thought to be the only CX Prestige in manual form registered in the UK today according to DVLA records.

The CX always boasted a futuristic “Space 1999” persona, and this Prestige is certainly no exception. The gleaming black livery and extra 25 cm in length only serve to underscore this impression today. In testament to Opron’s forward looking design, the Prestige doesn’t look in any way dated or prosaic a full 48 years later.

The gleaming black livery helps to disguise that most beloved feature of the 1970’s luxury car – the vinyl roof. Close inspection will reveal a very smoothly applied, lightly textured vinyl covering to the roof panel which appears devoid of any rips, tears or other imperfections. This even extends below the signature rear concave window and onto the boot lid. It is only on the slender A pillars that a few minor creases are noted.

Other CX eccentricities include the big, single wiper, green tinted windscreen top and single door mirror (to aid the achievement of that class leading drag figure). Prestige specific items include unique badging, of course, as well as extra brightwork around the windows and along the sills of the sleek car. Condition appears impressive overall. There are a few minor paint bubbles in places such as along the leading edge of the bonnet.

The steel wheels are dressed in the original (and now very rare) Prestige “cog” or “star” embossed chromed wheel trims. These have lost a little of their etched detailing in places but are otherwise good. The wheels are fitted with the correct specification 185, 14-inch Michelin tyres dating from 2013.

And you thought the exterior was futuristic……! The amply padded seats are hard to ignore on opening a long door. The centre panels are double stitched into a geometric pattern of 16 padded squares. Being the Prestige, these are further differentiated by square buttons set at an angle at each point of intersection. The headrests feature additional softly padded extensions which affix to their hosts via industrial sized press studs. The rear bench is identically trimmed with the outer ends formed into individual chairs with a folding armrest separating them. The legroom on display here is leg-stretchingly huge with carpeted, wedge shaped footrest and carpeted seatback pockets completing the look. 

The upholstery is courtesy of a velour style “Rhovyline” fabric in a chamois hue and appears to be in excellent condition throughout with none of the sagging that can sometimes occur being noted. Carpets are in a slightly contrasting tan hue and are reassuringly deep pile and well presented. Door cards are additionally trimmed in Rhovyline and equally well preserved.

The driving environment offers charming gallic quirk upon charming gallic quirk. The instrument binnacle deserves a write up entirely of its own and was Citroen’s tilt at a stalkless control interface. The idea was that your hands only needed to leave the wheel to extinguish your Gauloises in one of the many ashtrays and certainly not to operate indicators, windscreen wipers, horn, or lights. Set back into the elliptical binnacle are the unique barrel style speedometer and tachometer. Backlit, yellow tinted and seemingly viewed through the bottoms of Coke bottles, these are gauges that only Citroen of the 1970’s would green light. Amazing. Speaking of lights, a very comprehensive bank of warning lights spans the binnacle. The aforementioned steering wheel is even unique with just two parallel spokes placed at six o’clock supporting a slender and unimpeded rim. 

So as not to make the front passenger feel neglected, a wired map light with fold out magnifying glass is mounted to their side of the transmission tunnel. A push button radio sits, facing skywards of course (!), in the top of the centre console. The control lever for that four position hydropneumatic suspension is located between the seats. Being a range topper, air conditioning and four electric windows are also present. 

The post-box style boot is actually very practically shaped with a usefully low lip (especially with the suspension at its lowest setting) and is finished in its original hard wearing carpet set.

In this Prestige power is provided by a 2,347cc four cylinder, transversely mounted petrol engine. With a single carburettor serving up the mixture the power output was originally quoted at 126bhp and 142 Ib-ft of torque. Power is fed to the front wheels via a four-speed manual transmission. The Prestige is far too refined and sophisticated for crass performance metrics, but in case you aren’t this translated to around 115mph flat out and a sub 13 second 0-60mph time.

This example underwent a thorough recommissioning on its arrival in the UK in 2012/13. Every aspect of the car was checked and recommissioned as necessary by marque luminaries BL Autos of Welwyn Garden City. This work was undertaken less than 7,500 miles ago.

The lifting of the big bonnet reveals a few surprising things. First is the transverse mounting of the four-cylinder engine and how far forward in the bay it sits. Then there is the spare wheel and tyre, perhaps explaining why the boot is so commodious. The pair of blue, very French, air horns are great to see and have probably had ample use during our car’s early life. The condition is good overall but retains faithful originality and the potential for some further improvement if seen fit. The underside reveals nothing of concern with plenty of protective underseal still present.

All the key documents are present here, starting with the V5 registration document in the name of the owner. The CX is categorised as an Historic Vehicle based on its age. This renders the car MoT exempt and zero rated for VED in the UK. Despite this, the Prestige was last MoT’d in 2018 when it passed with no advisories. 

Other highlights include the invoices detailing the recommissioning work from 2013. There are also several later BL Autos invoices documenting ad-hoc work undertaken after this point. Other items include documents from before its import including a French condition report and paperwork relating to its 2012 auction. 

The Citroen CX was a brave car that shunned convention, defied custom and was all the better for it. It was a car for those that dared to be different but one that didn’t disadvantage them in any way for making a left-of -field choice. Sadly, despite that, the CX has become vanishingly rare with the Prestige being rarest of all with this possibly being the only one in this specification currently registered in the UK today.

This is a low mileage and well cared for example and so presents very well indeed. It’s not faultless, of course, but it is very, very good, faithfully original and packed to the gunwales with quirky charm. If you want a very rare, technologically advanced classic saloon with ample room for very long-legged passengers then none will better this Citroen CX Prestige.

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £10,000 - £15,000.

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