The Citroen AMI 6

Designed by Bertoni, the DS’s creator, the Ami 6 was noted for its unsuccessful reversed rear windshield. Yet, the vehicle was not the only one to have this aesthetical particularity since two Ford cars (Anglia and Consul) were already equipped with it. Built like a 2 CV, the Ami 6 was a small station wagon, with poor suspension and motorization: only a bi-cylinder engine with 22hp, which allowed the car (approximately 1,380lb!) to produced a top speed of about 65mph. The 602cc engine would be improved to 25hp in 1964 (about 69mph) then to 28hp. The small Citroën was quite expensive, nevertheless, orders would increase and delivery time would soon exceed two years: it’s worth pointing out that productivity was traditionally slow in Citroën’s factories. In 1965, the Ami 6, rented for its comfort and road-holding, eventually, ranked first on the French car market. Actually, its success was due to its wagon version, which was launched in September 1964 and soon represented two thirds of the sales for the Ami 6. The car’s career ended in March 1969, with the arrival of the Ami 8.