Citroën Bijou

Citroën Bijou

Manufacturer	Citroën
Production	1959-1964 207 made[1]
Assembly	Slough, England
Class	Economy Car
Body style	2-door coupé
Engine	425 cc air cooled, two cylinder
Transmission	4 speed manual
Wheelbase	94 in (2,388 mm)[2]
Length	156 in (3,962 mm)[2]
Width	61 in (1,549 mm)[2]
Height	46 in (1,168 mm)[2]
Related	Citroën Dyane Citroën FAF Citroën Méhari Citroën Ami Citroën 2CV

The Citroën Bijou was a small coupé manufactured by Citroën at their factory in Slough, England from 1959–64. It was based on the same platform chassis as the Citroën 2CV, sharing its advanced independent front to rear interconnected suspension. The design was thought to be more acceptable in appearance to the conservative taste of British consumers, than the unconventional and uncompromisingly utilitarian rural look of the standard 2CV.

The body was made of fibreglass, and the car featured the two cylinder 425 cc 12 bhp engine also seen in the 2CV. Only 207 were produced, plus 2 prototypes. It incorporated some components from the DS, most noticeably the single-spoke steering wheel.

The car was originally designed to take the company's 602 cc engine.

It was designed by Peter Kirwan-Taylor who also styled the 1957 Lotus Elite.

A car tested by The Motor magazine in 1961 had a top speed of 44.7 mph (71.9 km/h) and could accelerate from 0-40 mph (64 km/h) in 41.7 seconds. A fuel consumption of 59.5 miles per imperial gallon (4.75 L/100 km; 49.5 mpg_-US) was recorded. The Bijou's more modern styling gave it a higher top speed and lower cruising fuel consumption than the equivalent 2CV, however the greater weight of the bodywork impacted on the car's more general performance, especially its acceleration. The test car cost £695 including taxes which was considered expensive by the testers. ^[2] It was also more expensive than the Austin Mini, which was more practical.

As of 2008, 140 are on the 2CVGB club register.

References

1. ^ Sedgwick, Michael; Gillies (1993). A-Z of cars 1945-1970. UK: Bay View Books. ISBN 1870979397. 
2. ^ ^{a b c d e} "The Citroen Bijou". The Motor. Jan 4, 1960. 

External links

• Citroën Bijou at Citroenet
• Citroën Bijou at Motorbase