The 1969 Citroen Ami 6 Break was not a particularly rare vehicle when it was new. It offered quirky styling and a comfortable ride, making it a popular choice amongst French buyers. Today, you will rarely see them on our roads, making this example something a bit interesting. It has recently emerged from hiding, but before being placed into storage, a previous owner treated it to a restoration. It is roadworthy and raring to go and is looking for a new owner. The Citroen is located in Southern California and has been listed for sale here on Craigslist. The owner has set a sale price of $19,500 for this little French classic. I have to say a big thank you to Barn Finder Pat L for spotting this beauty for us.
While they were built in significant numbers, there is a good reason why we rarely see examples of the Citroen Ami 6 Break appear in today’s market. Like so many French classics from this era, they were highly prone to rust problems. They were considered an affordable means of family transport, so when the dreaded tin worm sank its teeth into them, many owners cut their losses and sent them away for scrap. This car has led a fortunate life because it has spent most of its time in Southern France. When it comes to climates conducive to the preservation of classic steel, this is one of the best. It made its way to Canada from France, where a previous owner treated it to a restoration. It then went into storage before finding its way to its current location. This wagon’s distinctive panels are finished in Corsaire Red. The paint holds an impressive shine, with no evidence of significant flaws or defects. The panels are straight, but the best news is that there is no evidence of visible rust. The seller doesn’t indicate any problems below the surface, which can be vitally important in a vehicle of this type. The exterior trim appears excellent, and the glass has little beyond the usual light swirls that can accumulate from years of cleaning. The overall impression is positive, and there is little doubt that this quirky French classic would turn heads wherever it goes.
The 1969 Citroen Ami 6 Break is typical of many French vehicles of the period in that it wasn’t blessed with vast amounts of power. Its engine bay is occupied by a 602cc twin-cylinder engine that produces 35hp. The power finds its way to the road via the front wheels and a four-speed manual transmission. The journey down the ¼ mile is unlikely to have traditional muscle cars shaking in their boots since it takes around 23.8 seconds. With a bit of luck and a tailwind, this little wagon will eventually find its way to 75mph. The owner claims that the vehicle sat in storage for years, but he has worked through returning it to a roadworthy state. It runs and drives well and seems to need nothing mechanically. However, I find something about this engine shot slightly confusing. There is evidence of blue paint in the engine bay and surrounds, including on the outside of the cowl. Further investigation reveals that this photo is not of our feature car. The seller provides this YouTube video, and when he lifts the hood in that clip, we see that the engine bay matches the rest of the vehicle.
As part of the restoration performed by a previous owner in 2014, this little French classic’s interior also received some attention. It appears that the seats wear new red upholstery, which shows no evidence of wear. The door trims match the seats, creating a classy appearance. What can be seen of the rest of the interior looks promising, while the rear cargo area is pretty impressive for a wagon of this age. There are no issues or faults of importance with this interior. While it isn’t equipped with a pile of optional extras, it is surprisingly spacious for a vehicle of modest dimensions. With plenty of leg and headroom, it will carry four adults with ease, but you could squeeze in five in a pinch.
When I stated that the Citroen Ami 6 Break was not a rare car when new, this was no idle claim. The company rolled an incredible 551,880 examples out of their factory during its production run. They rarely appear today, making this wagon slightly left field for classic car enthusiasts. It also means that these don’t often surface in the current market. The owner has set a price on this vehicle that looks pretty competitive. The few recent sales that I have found seem to fall within this price bracket. If a quirky French wagon is on your wish list, maybe this is the one for you.
Growing up outside of Chicago, we had quite a few DS’s running around, as well as Peugeots and Renaults, my mom having a R-10, which was one of the cars I learned to drive in. I have never seen an Ami in person, were they imported to the states? The tin worm kinda had its way with the Renault, but that car was as dependable as you could ask for, plus, I’ve never sat in a car that had as comfortable seats as what that had. I’ve seen plenty of pics, but would be nice to check one of these out.
Not to be a detractor of fine French motor cars, but is that a crank handle slot in the middle of the grill!!??!?!?😳
I probably is Nevada, our rear engine R-10 had a slot in the back panel for the jack handle crank, and you could use it to turn the motor over with, came in handy for setting the points.
IT, damn spell check
It is. Up until the mid to late ’70s, French cars were required to be capable of crank-starting in a pinch. There may have been a horsepower limit for this requirement. It was phased out (IIRC) by 1980.
Thank you, Bob S.and Bob W., and this is one of the bonus reasons for being on this forum. I’d’ve never thought that clear into almost the 21st Century we’d still have crankstart capability on cars with modern carburetors and even fuel injectors,but to my surprise I learned the Toyota Land Crushers,er, Land Cruisers had them allegedly into the ‘80’s. Howsoever the last car to have them as a often used standby was NOT a French car but indeed a Lada, the Lada Niva I’m told..but I guess that’s not overly surprising especially to those poor souls that’ve were given no choice but to be sent to automotive purgatory and subjected to a 14-20 year old Lada..😱
Again, thank you both for the clarification and may you both have a terrific Holiday.
My 1981 Landrover had a crank handle. Very useful for getting the old boy started and moving when the battery was dead. The round of applause I’d get from the passing pedestrians for this vintage move was an added bonus. Last time they saw it was probably in a Buster Keaton movie.
yes it is
It’s for a PTO to drive a grape mashing attachment for making wine and kneading baguette dough.
Title = missing.Why can’t sellers/flippers do the right thing,
& get vehicles like this transferred to their name?
This sure looks like the Citroen discovered and posted on BarnFinds a while back. Same color exterior and interior also residing in southern Cali. Neat cars however I prefer the design of the sedan. If you want radical styling find yourself a sedan.
https://barnfinds.com/unusual-french-find-1969-citroen-ami/
Yes, you are right, they certainly look like the same car. They both even have that 2″ gap around the right rear door. The only thing that puzzles me is the blue paint around the engine compartment and on the tailgate of this post.
That engine photo is from another car. If you watch the video you can see that it looks as if it’s been touched up. In the video even the air cleaner is missing like the one that was listed on CL. I’m sure this is the same car. Story is probably made up as well to make the car more interesting. If he can get 20K that will be a nice net from the purchase price. Hence the missing title.
Ya just can’t resist the 1/4- mile stats, even with a freakin’ Citroen. I swear with a Schwinn Stingray you’d tell us the 1/4 mile would take two and a half minutes.
On the plus side ,I believe its the first posting where he doesn’t state ” the original owner ordered…” when 99% of cars are just purchased at a dealership, not special ordered
This car…when I saw the first picture, I immediately thought of how it had to inspire the animated vehicles in the Cars Movie franchise. It’s whimsical design is perfect! The grill, lights and bumper. Add one of those sunshades with the two big eyes, and done!
Pretty cool, I always like French cars, and people have the nerve to say AMC was a bit out there. Again, this is what the average French family person drove, even though, in this here country, the Cushman Truckster could give it a run for the money, I’m sure cars like this were the staple of European travel, and it must have been a cold one, for some. Matter of fact, I don’t see any heater, being air cooled, it can’t have much. Memories of VW and Corvair heaters come to mind. And the tires are always too small, and probably used the old “3 holers” holding the wheels on the French are noted for. Okay for a back European alley, I-70, not so much. Seats sure look comfy, in standard French style, and I bet a nice car, at 35mph with the hammer down,, :)
The French have the worst taste in auto design, but the best taste in pastry & bread, champagne, macarons, Dijon mustard, lingerie, and the list goes on and on…
Your comment makes me hungry while drinking a French roast, eating a macarons, and driving my Citroen😊
I’m glad you didn’t include ‘wearing my lingerie’! LOL
An old adage in the shop I had the privilege to work in (for free as a kid)-
“In the car world, Heaven is where we have German cars, French cooking and British police..
Hell is where we have British cooking, French cars and German police…” 😱
In heaven, the police are British, the chefs are Italian, the mechanics are German, the lovers are French and it’s all organized by the Swiss.
In hell, the police are German, the chefs are British, the mechanics are French, the lovers are Swiss and it’s all organized by the Italians.
Rick, after reading your version it’s apparent that the shop you worked in had more time. 😉 I like your version better!
The Ami 6 has frequently been named the ugliest car ever made.
I tend to agree.
The Pontiac Aztek wasn’t exactly the high point of automotive styling, and I’m a guy who would love to own an AMC Pacer or a bathtub Nash.
it’s always surprising to find on barnfind this kind of french popular cars in the USA .
if some of you are interrested in french cars from the sixties to eighties Iook at this recent auction of a french collection : https://www.artcurial.com/fr/vente-it4192-french-collection-richard-romagny-pilote-du-dakar-100-youngtimers-populaires
Wow!! An ‘88 2CV 6 went for €39,000+. I wonder what the story behind that was.
The 2CV is very popular which can explain the rather high prices for this type of car. The all-time record was broken this summer at an auction for a car with 8 kilometers on the odometer:
https://www.largus.fr/actualite-automobile/citroen-2cv-une-charleston-quasi-neuve-vendue-120-000-e-aux-encheres-10708396.html
front bumper appears to be incorrect. It should wrap around the fender at each end, and might also have an additional “guard” above the main bumper….
https://41cef548pyo610dh50468nkk-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/20180803_150711-redux-cc.jpg
Love it..its amazing how much use Citroen got out of the basic 2CV package..engine, trans and chassis. They made the Ami and the Dyane all with 2 CV underpinnings…kinda like the massive VW Group does today!
Typical French car. “It may be ugly, but it sure is slow!”
(French rally cars not included)
Bob S. Are you the same one that has the Ford Durango? If you are then funny how we both have Durangos, and both grew up in the outskirts of Chicago learning to drive Renaults. Parallel lives? (And that we both now live out in the west.)
No Wayne, I never owned one, or even seen one, other than in pics, though I have owned a few Fairmonts. Too bad Ford didn’t produce it, they would have sold like hot cakes, with me being one of the customers.
Did Paul Bunyan sit on the hood of this thing? Send it back to France where it belongs
Wow, lovely to see this on Barn Finds. We actually bought an Ami 6 Break, 3 or 4 years ago from a barn in France. We had it running within 30 minutes and were driving it around our field. Still have it to this day. Looks like a reasonable investment of just 300 Euros and not selling it. Rarely see these on the road even in Europe.