Citroën CX
James’s CX departs, but not without causing a drama
You’ll have read much about my newly completed project CX, but the one you see here is where I’ve spent most of my Citroën-related time over the years. I bought it almost a decade ago and have had many adventures wafting through scenery at home and abroad behind that single-spoke wheel. There’s always been a strong whiff of nostalgia for me, too. This was the model my father owned back in the late Eighties – the one I pestered him about, after he decided to replace his Audi 100. I have fine memories of being dropped off at school and seeing the faces of my friends as the CX floated out of the car park.
These days, some purists sniff at this facelift model’s plastic bumpers but compared to the metal bumpered ‘Series 1’ car, this second-generation CX model is better made, more refined, vastly more fuel efficient and easier to fix – the smaller engine allowing far more space to fiddle under the bonnet. And I love it’s tall, squishy tyres and aerodynamic plastic wheel trims. the decision to begin a brand new chapter.
That car still needed work and I had maxed out my credit card on the past two years of restoration work. Therefore, my 22 TRS went up for sale and was snapped up quickly. It wasn’t without drama, though. Days before the car was transported to her new keeper, she threw a French supermodel strop and refused to start. I fumed. The old diva had been maintained fastidiously and kept in my garage for the best part of eight years and driven every few days throughout the year. Why now? Why indeed…
The mission was on to solve the issue before delivery took place and so a day of poking commenced. A turn of the key sent the perfectly adequate zap of electricity to the starter motor, the plugs proved to be fine, as did the HT leads and coil. All vacuum hoses were present and correct. Still, it refused to fire. There seemed to be plenty of fuel coming through, but I set
about having a probe of the carburettor anyway, carefully taking it apart to check for the presence of muck. That too seemed absolutely fine. I spoke to a couple of Citroën pals and one common issue can be an aging ignition amplifier module, so I spent £20 on a replacement… just in case. No change.
I conceded defeat and booked Clive Jefferson for a bit of Covid-compliant mobile maintenance. He arrived at my place and, leaving a cup of tea on the wall of the driveway, I scurried away to a corner while he got stuck in. I explained how, the day before, the CX hadn’t fired instantaneously on the first turn of the key. Having pulled out the choke, it always – for just a tiny split second – sounded like it was tripping over itself on start-up. When I took it for the weekly drive to the supermarket, it had also developed a very mild misfire. Clive looked up. Something of a lightbulb moment, it seemed. He immediately deduced that although there was a spark, it was firing at the wrong time. The timing had slipped! Clearly missing it myself, Clive’s sharper eye noticed the distributor had worked loose, altering the timing by around 15 degrees. I made more tea and rewarded him with a biscuit.
Farewell, friend
I’m sure it was my imagination but after that, it felt like it was running better than ever, starting on the button, accelerating and cruising with a smoothness that very nearly led me to cancel the sale. However, I had a stern word with myself and watched as the car was transported away to its new life and then prepared to resume work on the other aged French diva. As you’ll have read on page 28, my aim is to get the GTI Turbo back to Scotland for a visit to its original owner but only when I think it’s up for such a big journey. The route will take me to Aberdeen and back, via Skye and despite the car running well at the moment, there is still much to do before I can confidently set off on what will be our very first road trip together. If it’s anything like as good as my old CX, I’m in for some good times!
james.walshe@practicalclassics.co.uk