The CX Rally Car.

[Citroening]

Well, as there was a fair ol' amount of interest in the CX Rally Car I thought that'd I'd finally put some info up on here about it. In the future I do plan to create it's own website for it and I'll get around to that when I've got the time! Edit - I did get the time and here it is... http://cxrallycar.webs.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

So, to start with it's an early CX 2000 on an R reg that was originally from the UK, went to Ireland and then came back to the UK again. Roger also owned the Rally CX (you will see his name on the sunstrip along with my father's and I's) with my dad and it was initially his idea to create the vehicle in the first place.

He got the base car, a 1977 Super, from Ireland in a part exchange deal and it was the sort of CX that was tatty round the edges but had a good, strong and reliable engine. Things went from there and we have the rally car. We have some good memories of Roger and the CX as we did some small 'rallies' along the road with a group called the Continental Car Tours and we had tremendous fun.

As you will see from the pictures below, it is based on car number 45 that took part in the London to Sydney Rally in 1977. Car number 45 was driven by rally-legend Paddy Hopkirk, along with Bob Riley and Micheal Taylor. In the rally of '77, as far as I am aware, these were the CXs entered:

15- Claude Laurent and Jean Claude Ogier...finished Finished 4th outright;
25 - Patrick Vanson and Jean Paul Luc...finished 7th outright;
45 - Paddy Hopkirk, Bob Riley and Micheal Taylor...finished 3rd outright.
69 - Jim Reddiex, Barry Ferguson and Doug Stewart... finished 10th outright.

They were the "works" cars (Australian Total Citroën Team)...


Picture before final preparations.


...but there were also two other CXs in the rally too:

57 - Gerald Bartlett, Geoff Eldridge and George Harris who were entered by GW Bartlett TW Hollidge LTd...finished 44th outright.
71 - Michael O’Connell, Anne O’Connell and John Keating (all Irish) who were entered by Michael O’Connell...finished 28th outright.

When we started to create the replica of car number 45, images were very, very scarce and we only had a small handful of exterior pictures and zero interior pictures. This situation has changed though, because after a long while researching on the net, I managed to get in contact with Jim Reddiex who prepared the Citroen's (and he still has the actual DS that won the rally!) and he put me in touch with Bob Riley - one of the actual drivers!! After being in correspondence with the two chaps in OZ (through "Flash" on the London to Sydney Website, the pictures were passed onto him and he's put them on his photo gallery.

Now that I have managed to source these interior pictures, my aim for this year is to replica the interior...or at least start it! It won't be 100% accurate, but then again the whole car isn't accurate - just a pretty faithful replica.

Being a 2000 it isn't the fastest thing in the world (!) and people have suggested engine transplants BUT this would possibly sacrifice the reliability of it. An example is a couple of years ago when it had been standing for 18 months and it started perfectly on the original battery. I know that the clock doesn't work so that probably saved the battery!

Paddy Hopkirk has seen our replica and actually signed the bonnet for us at a road rally event that we visited - you'll see some pictures below.

I have managed to find out through contacting Jim Reddiex about the history of what happend after the rally was completed. It was apparently sold off to a farm and used to round up sheep (etc) in the fields! The rally had really taken it's toll on the car and it would've taken a huge amount of work to repair it to a good state.

Well, I hope that hasn't bored all of you to sleep so I'll end with some pictures - I've probably missed out some details about the Rally Car so I'll add them in when I remember them!

Rally-wise, dad plans to bring it to the National Rally so please feel free to have a look 'round it.


RB CX by myglaren, on Flickr














Citroen CX Rally Car in Action by chevronsaver, on Flickr











It's been to the NEC Classic Car Show too:-

[Citroenmad]

Very good thread, thanks.

What year was it at the NEC? In sure i remember seeing it there actually.

What was done to raise the spheres through the bonnet? Why was that needed on the rally car? Extra suspension travel?

[Citroening]

Having a look at the picture information it says 2007...TBH I couldn't remember!

<whispers> They're not really through the bonnet - we got a sphere cut in half and bolted it to the bonnet and affixed the shrouds over the top. Simple, yet effective, and it fools people in the photos!

The raised spheres were due to the rough and very poor terrain it would have had to tackle. The ride height was increased, but still kept the hydropneumatic suspension too!

[Citroenmad]

Ill most likely have been there, maybe. Was there a DS rally car on the stand too? Im sure I was there in 2007 in fact.

Ah, cheating hey! They are effective as you say ...

[Citroening]

TBH, I really can't remember (!) as Roger took it up there and we only went on the one day.

They've fooled you and many others too...!

[Citroenmad]

Ah, but looking closer, ive another question ...

I dont know Cxs, but im guessing the sphere still needs room to move, and those are wedged tight against the bonnet, which would give away they are false?

Very good idea though, I like the dent too!

[Citroening]

Yes yes you're correct!
We were racking our brains for ages trying to think of what to do and then Roger came up with the idea - and a great one it was too!

The dent was quite unintentional though - it was parked up outside for it's winter hibernation and then a big van decided to reverse into the side of it one day.
Sometimes we say it was hit by a Kangaroo though!

[Citroenmad]

Ah well, it looks authentic with the dent

[Citroening]

We're not too bothered about it TBH as to repair it you'd need a new door (not too much of a problem as we've got a few!), but the stickers would have to be made up again which would be a pain.

Still, as you say it makes it look authentic.

[citroenesque]

Interesting thread. Phil Boxall and I are planning to recreate Claude Laurent's 1973 Montecarlo GS 1220!

[Citroening]

Thanks Phil...I look forward to seeing the GS when it's done - should be good!

[Citroening]

Just found a couple more pictures:













...another detail that you may notice is the sunroof, and that it is infact the 'wrong' way around.
As you may know, some rally cars have roof vents so by reversing the sunroof round this creates this effect - simples!

[SwissSPEC]

I've seen that cx in the flesh, at 1st i got quite excited as i thought it was an original, someone kindly pointed out that it wasn't. So glad as i would have made a complete pillock of myself by rushing over to the owner to ask a load of daft questions about it Still looks good though

[Citroening]

TBH it wouldn't have mattered as we've had quite a few people that thought the same thing.

Unfortunately, I am led to believe that the original car was sold to a local farmer and used as a "basher" to round up the animals!

[Citroenmad]

Unfortunately, I am led to believe that the original car was sold to a local farmer and used as a "basher" to round up the animals!

Hopefully that wasnt true, what a waste. Surely that would have been collectable!