Miguel Sánchez
On April 18, 1934 Citroën presented a revolutionary car. Equipped with a new front-wheel drive that solved the problem of the transmission tunnel, the Traction Avant finally brought together many of the advances of the moment in a large series car. Among them was not only the abandonment of the rear drive, but also the self-supporting body. The basis of the current monocoque chassis which, although it had already been presented by the Lancia Lambda in 1922, had its first use in a widely marketed car in the Traction Avant.
In addition, its fantastic design by the sculptor Flaminio Bertoni turned out to be a perfect wrapper for Andrè Lefèbvre's ingenuity with engineering. Thus, the Citroën Traction Avant marked a milestone in the history of motorsport. A milestone that, like everything in this life, was also affected by the passage of time. And it is that, while in the 30s this model was the ultimate, by the fifties it was already widely surpassed by the competition. Even more when in 1955 Citroën presented the futuristic DS.
A top of the range with which the French brand once again presented itself as a daring company when it came to incorporating the futuristic on the road. In addition, as far as the lower end of the range is concerned, this was occupied by the successful and versatile 2CV. A situation where the Traction Avant had to be quickly replaced by a vehicle with a family vocation, capable of satisfying the broad urban middle classes. Exactly the purpose for which the first prototype of the car appeared in 1955, which, six years later, would become the Citroën Ami 6.
CITROËN AMI 6. BORN FOR NEW FAMILIES
The history of the automobile has kept pace with social evolution. At first, this was just an item within the reach of the most privileged. It was time for the Rolls-Royce, Hispano-Suiza or Voisin. Handmade cars designed for a select minority. Meanwhile, a massive industry dedicated to the production of small vehicles for the rebuilding of a world ravaged by World War II. Thus, while Toyota's micro-cars were born in Japan, Biscúter's thrived in Spain and FIAT 500s in Italy. A process that in France was synthesized with the appearance of the Citroën 2CV.
However, as Europe was experiencing strong economic growth, urban social sectors appeared with access to consumption. Eager for travel and daily mobility needs, the middle class required practical cars, but with a more space and comfort than utility vehicles designed for day-to-day farming. A segment in which the Citroen Ami 6. Conceived as a "Intermediate model", was presented on April 6, 1961 with the vocation of conquering the masses thanks to its versatility and tight budget. Something that, however, he did not achieve so easily.
Bold in the Citroën way, the Ami 6 proposes aesthetic solutions based on practicality. Reason why the first series has an inverted C-pillar, forming the curious “z”So representative of his profile. Only in this way could a wide boot lid be fitted without, at the same time, the rear window was glued to the nape of the rear passengers. A solution devised by Flaminio Bertoni, constrained by having to design this four-seater family on the same basis as the 2CV. Fact that was forced by the brand's management, so excited about the Ami 6 and skeptical when it comes to investing in its development.
FROM SCEPTICISM TO SUCCESS. THE RECONVERSION OF THE MAI 6
Interestingly, the French public turned out to be more conservative than Citroën had anticipated. At least aesthetically, since the strange inverted bezel pulled sales down. In fact, this is not speculation. And it is that in 1964, when the five-door version was presented, it shot up the results, occupying more than two-thirds of the orders referred to the Ami 6.
An accolade that increased production over a million units including the Ami 8 evolution. Version that goes up to 725 kilos, while the 6 Ami 1961 weighs only 620. A marvel of lightness designed to help the car's weakest point: its engine.
Wrapped in sheet metal just 0 centimeters thick, the Ami 6 needs to save as much weight as possible to help a twin engine with little thrust below 6 rpm. In fact, the verve of its 3.000CV begins to arrive only when raising it to its maximum of 22.
Not in vain, the main problem with the Ami 6 was its mechanics which, though reliable, was dated from birth. As we have seen, both the engine and the chassis had a lot to do with the 2CV. Everything disruptive that the Ami 6 had been with aesthetics was not with engineering. Characteristic arising from a low financing of the original project
In fact, as the engineers were making proposals, they were rejected by the directive. One of them the hydropneumatic suspension. Brand of the house that, of those, was reserved for the superior DS. However, despite these weak points that pulled the Ami 6 more into the past than into the future, this was a successful model in the history of Citroën. Furthermore, it is one of those cars with which to perfectly explain the rise of the middle class and its access to the automotive industry. One of those cars that, after 60 years, are a whole piece of history.
Photographs: Citroën Origins
