Citroen C15 ( Retro Oddity )

[Quasimoto]

Just acquired a Citroen C15 Champ 1.8 diesel / mechanically sound but body work needing attention. Know very little about these but hoping RR members may be able to throw some light on them. Quirky with strange brakes is my first impression but with potential. Photo added

[Rich]

Needs to be posted in the RR post 2000 section if it’s a thread for your own car. I’ll move it now.

[cjhillman]

Always fancied one of these my self. A musician pal of mine had a couple of them and they always seemed pretty interesting. Also very 80s even though they were newer. He rolled one over on a curved slip road. I think they have a tendency to do this from what I remember. Very cool, look forward to seeing more.

[Quasimoto]

Bit of polish and it looks ok


for now / certainly getting interest from passers by though

[Quasimoto]

Verified into Retro Rides  era !!!!!!!!!!

[Horncastle]

I love these!! Good luck with it.

[norm75]

Worked for a freight shipping company that had one of these, I think the first one was an L plate and it was replaced with a brand new one on a T plate.
One of those vehicles that your expectations are pretty low but then you are pleasantly surprised. They go pretty well for what they are, and are very comfortable to drive. Never thought the brakes were an issue but the new one we had always suffered from wheel wobble that I think was actually drive shaft imbalance.

[norm75]

Jun 8, 2022 18:05:46 GMT braaap said:

With that missing bumper the rear view has a lot of a 2cv or dyane van!

put some lorry mud flaps on it and give it a group b rally car vibe!
They actually did a group b Citroen visa rally car.

[Quasimoto]

Suppose through time this Citroen evolved via 2cv. As you say expectations can be low but with the later engine being 2002 cruises along nicely at 60 mph but its louder than conventional car to be expected. Having lived with newer bells n whistles cars albeit quicker but boring I'm looking forward to simplicity like true retros are. That was one of the reasons i got it / retro simplicity and i needed a small van. Quirky even unconventional is its CROWNing glory. Got to address the lacquer peel / rust issues but base model is mechanically sound. Probably notice brakes seem old skool after driving an Audi for a year but upside is less chance of speeding ticket

[bilkob]

Absolutely brilliant things! I use one for my bike business, and realistically it’s my local short-ish daily driver too. I use my CX for proper journeys. Fundamentally indestructible mechanically, change the oil and coolant, and never let coolant run low. Change the glow plugs if it struggles on cold mornings. Driveshaft boots like to split. Brakes are appalling by modern standards, new servo, pads, discs, a good bleed and check the weight proportion valve for the rear brakes, or put a rugby scrum in the back and drive backwards then brake heavily.
By the look of your picture the rear arm bearings are shot on yours, lots of positive camber
But rust is what really kills these. If it’s got properly into the sills, you’ll need a very understanding MOTer and probably a welder.
Window winders are pathetic. Heater is simply awesome. Steering heavy at low speeds ( I’m a cyclist and if I can cope, so can you😂).
Not fast, but pleasantly torquey, and great fun to drive because it weighs 850kgs. In a world of obese 2 1/2 ton modern monstrosities it’s a revelation. Don’t crash into anything solid at speed.

[Quasimoto]

Thought rear camber was excessive but goes ok / no knocks / bangs or whines and passed mot in April but thats no indication. Been underneath this morning / surprisingly better than i thought maybe / hammerited black the solid sills and tidied up rear exhaust but must get sorting peeled lacquer / odd rust but only owned it two days

[bilkob]

Paint the wheels black. INSTANT upgrade!

[norm75]

It’s funny but reading the comments and looking on Google everyone says they are slow. From memory the older L reg one at work went very well. In fact I’m sure I had the thing off the clock on more than one occasion.
Comparing it to other vans of a similar ilk, I’m sure I remember it being quicker than a corsa combo we had of the same age, and escort and fiesta courier vans didn’t seem as quick either. I think the only thing that felt quicker was the little Peugeot 205 xrad we had at another company.

Saying that I’m pretty sure I remember the new one that replaced the L reg not being as quick.

[Quasimoto]

Next job paint the wheels.
With early non turbo Belingo engine quite fast enough for what it is.
For quirkiness and getting attention its ahead of some expensive higher spec old motors probably because it is in essence a French farmers runaround updated to another era from 2CV . Underneath all basic / no frills and you actually have to drive it unlike newer stuff.
No one acquires one of these cos they are loaded with extras even modern everyday things taken for granted. Reckon you just have to possess that different mindset to others. Lots of neighbours stopped to ask about it. Same neighbours never did that with my Audi A3 / job done / different by design and imagination needed to further the project.

[Quasimoto]

Wheels painted with Smooth Rite Black / as advised instant upgrade lol

[grizz]

Not quite the same as my 1.4 Berlingo Mk1

But, these older, lighter cars are surprisingly nimble, capable and fun to use.

I have too many cars, but given an opportunity to own another low mileage, half decent, sunroofed Mk1 in 1.4 petrol guise, I would be sorely tempted.

Wheel upgrade is a good thing too.

[Quasimoto]

Thanks Grizz / yeah project to maintain sanity and something different. Has the earlier Belingo 1.8 diesel which runs a lot better now ive put some decent diesel through it and injector cleaner. Quite light really and being an oddity it appeals to me cos you don't see many about. Plan to keep on top of body work and enjoy the different sedate motoring experience it offers

[Quasimoto]

Looked through Google but cannot find accurate pcd or offset anywhere with maybe regards upgrade of wheels. Hopefully a RR member might have this information ?

[joem83]

I would expect them to be 4x108 & lots of pictures of them on Saxo VTR alloys which are 4x108 - so thats my guess.

Autostar do some nice retro style wheels
www.driftworks.com/wheels-and-accessories/alloy-wheels/autostar-wheels

[misterm]

Not great with these metric measurements yet. 4.25 inch same as Ford 4 stud. Mine had 14" (355.6mm )  205GTi Pepperpots, now on my Berlingo.