Meet the Owner - Robert Dudrenec and his 1973 Citroën Ami Super Estate

It would be fair to say that Robert owns one of the rarest Citroëns in the UK. Here are 12 facts about the remarkable Ami Super Estate - 

1. The original Ami 6 debuted in 1961, and in 1969 Citroën introduced the Ami 8. The estate retained the same body while the saloon gained fastback styling in place of the 6’s reverse-angle rear window.  

2. In 1972, Citroën introduced a 1,222cc engine for the GS, and they sought new applications for the 1,015cc overhead-cam ‘boxer’ units used on the first versions launched in 1970.  Their solution was the Ami Super Saloon, Estate and Van, which made their bow on the 10th of January 1973.  

3. The Super’s 88 mph top speed meant it was 16 mph faster than the Ami 8, despite a 150lb weight penalty, and owners could boast of a 67% power increase. The first Supers could be distinguished from the Ami 8 by six additional air intakes below the grille, which now featured a horizontal bar beneath the Chevron badge.  

4. UK sales began on the 1st of April 1973. The concessionaire promised “Citroën comfort, motorway power, budget price”, not to mention reclining front seats, “complete instrumentation” and “an attractive, practical new fascia finished in chic Havana colour”. 

5. Keen drivers were more impressed with the Super’s technical specification, including the GS engine and transmission, inboard front disc brakes, improved sound damping, modified suspension, and a floor gear lever in place of the Ami 8’s dashboard system. 

6. At £1,120 in 1973, the Super Estate cost nearly £100 more than a Mini 1275GT, while the Sunbeam Imp Sport was only £933. However, your friendly local Citroen dealer could tell you that neither offered the Ami’s five-door versatility.  A Ford Escort 1300L Estate was £1,180 and a Vauxhall Viva DL Estate £1,188, but they were rather more conventional RWD vehicles – and with only three doors

7. What Car complained that the Ami Super was “A car for Citroën lovers only”, and “one of the most uncivilised cars we have driven”, but other titles were more impressed. The Telegraph found with the Super, “You can now be first away from the lights and even overtake uphill!”.

8. Autocar wrote of the Super Saloon, “we would have loved to hear the surprised comments from one TR4 driver and a lad in a ‘hot’ VW”. They believed “There has been nothing quite like this Citroen since the original Mini-Cooper". 

9. Car described the Super Estate as resembling a cross between a piece of 1950s sculpture and “something futuristic”.  They also found it to be “practical and versatile in addition to handling well and possessing good road holding and a fine ride”. 

10. By 1974, the Super gained stripes on the bodywork to induce envy in all your neighbours. 

11. Super production ended in February 1976 after 44,820 units. Sales in its homeland were hampered by the French government’s tax/horsepower regulations; the larger engine placed the Super in the ‘5CV’ category. 

12. And The Observer rather brilliantly described the Citroen Ami Super as “A French wolf in sheep’s clothing”.

With thanks to Robert Dudrenec for his time. 

With thanks to Robert Dudrenec for the permission to use the images in this blog.