For American families with 2.5 kids and a dog, station wagons were the dominant form of transportation in the 1960s. When you think of wagons of this era, a Citroen is probably one of the last cars that come to mind. Launched in 1958, the Citroen ID-based wagon went by different names depending on the market and specification, and these included the Break, Familiale, and Safari. They offered the comfort of the ID/DS sedans with additional carrying capacity and were available in multiple configurations including five- and seven-passenger models. An example of the latter is this 1964 Citroen ID19 wagon project offered here on eBay in Pomona, California that sits among a few other Citroens languishing in the background including a DS, pair of SMs, and a Traction Avant.
Citroen ID/DS models were made of thin metal and rusted aggressively as a result. I am currently stripping a badly rusted 1972 DS parts car for my own Citroen project so I can personally attest to this. The seller states that this is a solid example that only has surface rust, which could be expected given the mild California climate. A potential buyer would still want to confirm this by closely inspecting the floors and the “longerons” as well as the door bottoms and fenders, all areas that tended to rust the worst.
There are a couple of missing door cards, but the rest of the interior is there, though in poor shape. The dash pad is cracked and there is a layer of a light surface rust covering some of the dash metal. The skinny shifter poking out of the side of the steering column is for the four-speed manual transmission; the Citromatic semi-automatic would not be available in the wagons for a few more years. As mentioned, this is a seven-passenger model with two front bucket seats, a folding rear bench seat, and two side-facing jump seats in the cargo area. The vinyl on the main seating surfaces will need to be reupholstered.
Despite the lack of details given, it is safe to assume the worst as far as the mechanicals go. The engine and transmission were pulled out together and have been sitting for years with the valve cover removed, so the motor is likely seized. This era of ID/DS cars still used the red LHS fluid for their hydropneumatic systems. Similar to brake fluid, LHS absorbed moisture, especially when it sat for extended periods and this one has been “parked for many years.” As a result, this old Citroen will likely require a complete rebuild of all components in the system which control the braking, power steering, and suspension. This could prove to be a good opportunity to convert it to the more moisture-resistant green mineral-based LHM fluid of later cars.
At an $11,500 opening bid, this one is priced quite optimistically considering that Hagerty lists a #4 Fair condition ID19 wagon at $7,700 and this one is not even up to that level. If a buyer could get it for a reasonable sum, its presumed rust-free shell would make a good basis for a restoration, especially if a running parts car could be obtained. Is this weird old French wagon worth saving?
The entry price seems a little high for the amount of work needed. I’m not sure when they switched the engine from a 3 bearing main to 5 but I would upgrade to the 2.1 engine.
With that C/D – perfect EV conversion candidate.
Why do you guys fall over yourselves for these things, or any Citroen for that matter, they’re as ugly as a catfish, I think same species, overly mechanically and hydrallicly complicated, underpowered severely, and the steering wheel and shifter are just plain stupid, they’re cheaply build rust cans, yet you guys swoon over them like they’re made of gold…I’ll never understand…
Because they float.
Underpowered how? They’ll do 70 and tow whatever you want them to.
Oh, I forgot – they haven’t got a fuel-guzzling V-8 tied to a slushbox and the handling qualities of a blancmange.
Vive la difference!
When I purchased my ‘72 DS21 last year I drove it a thousand miles home. Averaged 75 mph in total comfort. Like riding on a cloud. They are absolute magic.
And you guys swoon over Camaros, Challengers, Corvettes, Tri Fives etc. when there are thousands of them available. Find one of these in concours condition and take it for a ride you will never forget. It was never built as a hot rod, it was built as a family run-about, and that’s what it is good at. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
If you’ve never owned or driven a Citroen, you just can’t understand, granted! Look at it this way: since you mention “catfish”…..not only is it ugly, it tastes like murk, yet many people like it….I don’t understand it either…to each his own I guess.
well, what can I say ? Ever drove one ?
Go to you tube and search for Jay Leno talking about these cars … They were almost completely HAND BUILD, nothing cheap there .
The hydraulics were very complex, not really cheap to build .
And when well kept , industructable and ever lasting .Some RR models were equiped with Citroen hydraulics .
You cannot state they ARE ugly, you can only state I FIND them ugly .
Taste is subjective, very personal .
I like them VERY MUCH . The design never became old fashioned, it has some eternal lines, never achieved again by any other car make .This is my opinion .
Steering wheel and shifter plain stupid ?
Well, thats your opinion, but definetely not mine .
Please realise the hydraulical system was designed in 1951 ,can you imagine ?
The Citroen 15SIX H had its rear suspension with hydraulics, no longer with a transvere torsion bar ( which was sophisiticated on its own , being designed in 1934 ).
Get yourselves some books about the Citroen ID and DS and I am convinced you will face difficulties not changing your opinions ….
Nice looking car. I’ve seen at least a couple of Citroen DSs, but I’ve never seen an ID wagon. Assuming all the parts are available, this would make an interesting project. Given its current condition, I’d pay just shy of $5,000 for the car, that way I have enough money to search for parts and be able to restore the car enough to safely drive it.
I understand that these were favourites of the professional solo speedway riders in the UK. By removing the front wheel a couple of bikes could be put into the back.