HOW TO BAG THE BEST DEAL

1 BODY AND STRUCTURE

Corrosion is a serious bugbear, and it’s hard to justify major welding bills unless you’re doing it for fun, so be rigorous in your inspection. The bodies rust all over, and the wheel arches, sills, floorpan and boot deserve particular attention.

2 TWIN-POT ENGINES

Early models had an air-cooled, flat-twin 22bhp 602cc engine, which has most likely been thrashed (the flat-four 1015cc Ami Super got a fruitier 61bhp), so excessive exhaust smoke indicates costly internal wear. Electronic ignition can be fitted to a 12v car for more reliable starting.

3 MANUAL GEARBOX

The four-speed manual gearbox shouldn’t give major issues, but check that each gear selects willingly and quietly.

4 RUNNING GEAR

Amis have independent suspension all round, while the Ami 8 got front disc brakes and an anti-roll bar. Listen for clonks indicating bush and linkage wear, and make sure that the brake pistons move freely, especially on cars that have been left standing for a while.

5 INTERIOR

A few UK suppliers will be able to help you source parts, and can be particularly helpful for trim or electrical items that need to be sourced from France. Check that everything works, and that no major items are missing. Earlier models have 6v electrics before 12v became the norm.