I was the AX Product Manager for Citroen UK when this was launched. I came up with the name, the graphics and created all the marketing support for it! If I remember correctly, the original French version had a name based on a French TV series. Citroen AX Chicago - became part of 'The Americas' Special Edition Collection. Citroen were producing so many Special Editions for the AX at this time, it was hard to keep up. I think I have the brochure for the Chicago somewhere. During my time at Citroen I had many AX's and loved them all. Brilliant car - for its era.

This is one of those cars that seemed so common a few years but suddenly disappeared. Can't remmeber the last time I've seen one of these!

Hi Steph, a great review and a trip down memory lane. I purchased an AX Chicago in March 1990 G482DRE costing £6400. I was my first new car and kept it for two and a half years before upgrading to the AXGT 1.4 twin choke engine. The pin stripes were in Bordeaux Red and I asked the dealer to remove the gear Knob and fix to the new GT. The mother in law and sister in law also purchased new AX Debuts in 1993 and 1995. Some 15 years after selling the Chicago (2007) it turned up at the end of a road where I was working on a property. Now some 18 years old it still looked great and I spoke to the elderly lady owner who had purchased it when I sold so was the second and final owner. The AXGT was sold in 1999 and finally met it's maker around 2006, again with only two owners. Great cars and very reliable.

So crazy they named it “Chicago” as the last Citroen sold in the US was like in 1973.

@rimmersbryggeri

3 жыл бұрын

It was probably on the theme of the Golf Manhattan.

The second car I had after passing my test was a 1.1 Citroen ax RE. I had it for 5 years and it was a great car to bomb around in. Its great to see one in superb condition, Credit to the owner

@idriveaclassic

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

@leonvandijk6194

3 жыл бұрын

Had a 1.0 with 14500 km, sold it last week and i regret it now :(

I have had a AX now for 6 years, drove it all over Europe, from Malta to beyond the Arctic circle, very economical and easy to work on. Love it

Just love when my favourite KZreadrs refer to each other in their videos. To me they’re like friends I spend time with and knowing they meet at events in real life… just adds to the feeling of having a family. 🤗

Great cars that bring back happy memories. Had 3 of them. 2 GT’s and a 1.4D that went on forever on a tank of diesel.

@MaximilianvonPinneberg

3 жыл бұрын

My parent's old neighbours had 3 of them too. They downsized from a Cavalier to one of these they liked them that much. i always remember them having a great ride and sharp styling.

I had earlier a Citroen AX Sport with 95 PS . Fast like a Rocket,so much fun !!!

I always remember being staggered by how quickly AXs could accelerate with such small engines. I think the 1.1 got to 60 in less than 11 seconds which was impressive. Great recipe of light car with minimal add ons making them very chuckable. Love a sunroof and a tape player too They used to be really good at doing special editions with great insurance deals too so young buyers loved them.

@andrej7509

3 жыл бұрын

Faster than bmw 316

One of my favourite all time cars was my white AX GT. Fast, frugal and fun.

@ciartdsfa4899

3 жыл бұрын

Few friends had fast ax gt's,great fun driving things 💯👍

Brings back fun memories. I borrowed a 1.0 4 speed AX for a month back in 2005. It was an absolute shed but remains to this day the most fun car I have ever driven. Brilliant video as always. Thanks.

The cassettes, the radio and the Feu Orange air freshener give the 80's vibe.

Great video . I own a late 1996 Ax dimension . I have had this car for around 3 years now and I absolutely love it . This is the 4th ax that I have owned have had them.when I was younger.

I've owned mine for 20 years! Started life as a 1 litre and has evolved over the years and now has a vts saxo engine. Great handling, light and faster than people expect! So much fun😁 getting pretty rare now too. That Chicago looks really tidy😎👍 super rare!

Top job Colin preserving some Citroen history. Don’t believe these were ever sold in Australia. We only got the BX and CX in this era.

Watching this from Chicago, IL! Love it - thanks for the great review!

" Making it look like it's just come out of the showroom" Well, he's succeeded in doing that, that's for sure! Kudos on another great review, Steph!

@idriveaclassic

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Edd! Check out the Visa if you haven’t watched it already, another one of Colin’s amazing cars

I had a 1991 AX Chicago. Happy days!

I had one of these for a while, mine was only a 1 litre splash model, I found it quite comfy and practical but very underpowered. Interesting video, keep up the good work 👍

Thanks Steph for another really watchable review. Feels just like i have had a drive myself, even sat in my armchair at home. Well done Colin for saving another great Citroen from the car graveyard.

I like these little gems. Thanks Steph you're a star for in my books. Keep up the great content.

@idriveaclassic

3 жыл бұрын

Aww thanks Eddie x

Colin's done a fantastic job restoring this - talk about going to town! 👍🏻

My Dad had an AX when he retired and loved it . It was a conventional car but still had some quirks which I liked especially its light weight . Great video as always !

Another great video Steph. My first car was an AX in 2004, a 1991 AX 1.0 Debut - as basic as they came! But, first cars always hold special memories and I really enjoyed that car.

Hi Steph as always another good review on this AX as well as Last weeks Visa. What a nice guy the owner Colin is of both of these vehicles really good hearing him give a detailed report of each vehicle and the restoration work he took on he appears a great guy with a good choice of vehicles I also like Citroen and have had 6 variants over the years of driving.

Another awesome restoration by Colin. Brought back memories of my 1992 AX GTi (99-06 owned). Period cassette storage with cassette's is something I never did sadly.

Another lovely old car test! We had an AX11RE in the early 90s - I agree with your review Steph - ours was fast and economical with a decent ride - ours was rather noisy though. We replaced it with a Saxo in 1996. Great to see one in such good nick!

Hi Steph, another fantastic review! You've got a natural talent hun! Hope you're well and I hope to see you next year again for Festival of the Unexceptional! ❤

Thanks for the ride Steph. What a fun little car.

Fantastic video, and an amazing example. I used to have a Citroen AX Debut, 1993 K reg, 954cc. I loved it, I drove all over the UK in it, and it never felt under powered. I still miss it.👍🏻

Another retro classic shown in such detail as always . Brilliant

Happy memories! Back in 97 i inherited a phase 1 AX 11 TRE in white with beige interior. I always loved how quick i could corner enjoying a comfy ride at the same time. And cheap to run! Sadly i sold it in 2002. Still miss it.

My first car was G-reg Citroen AX Chicago. Sadly rust together with the purchase of a Volvo 480ES led to me scrapping the Citroen. What an amazing job the owner has done of restoring this one. I really enjoyed this video - thanks for making it!

Loved this video Steph, brings back memories of my auntie having 2 AX's when I was a kid.

@idriveaclassic

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching ❤️

After more than 30 years, this little Citroen I like even more. Aesthetically, the style appears clean and rather balanced. Nice car!

In 1990 at the tender age of 20, I bought a brand new black Citroen AX GT, just up the road from yours in Eastbourne. Dashboard was like those trays you get in a packet of Teatime biscuits, but it was amazing to drive. Loved that car!

Great car, I owned a AX 1.4 TRD Tecnic diesel. 5 doors with sunroof velours seats, central doorlocks, bronze coloured electric windows and 4 head cushions. The engine was great 389.000km and also extremly economical. I drove every month from Munich to Holland without any problems. Good memories and thanks IDRIVEACLASSIC;-)

Bought a fairly new TRS when I got my first real job in 1990. Great little car. Thank’s for an excellent review.

I owned Peugeots at the time. The earlier 1.1 in the 205 was the ex Simca engine like the Visa. Then I had this much smoother XU 1.1 in a 106 and a facelift 205. My Peugeots all drove well but my 3 brothers all had AXs with the same engine and they had much sharper handling and steering. AXs also had a talent for being quite capable over long distances for a car so small and light. The facelift AX really did bring the AX back up to date without major changes. This Chicago really suited you Steph. Thanks a lot.

Nice video Steph. Keep up the high standards that you have achieved. Excellent little car, haven’t seen one on the road for quite some time. Looking forward to your next edition.

@idriveaclassic

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you ever so much!

Great vid, reminds me of my Dad's ZX. Memories of those Traffic light air fresheners, can almost smell it 😉

@idriveaclassic

3 жыл бұрын

Oh I know! It was a real flashback

My sister had one of these. We called it the Catapult because it set off like it had been fired from a slingshot but soon ran out of steam and would shudder to a halt. After several months of regular repairs she finally saw the light and got a proper car.

Wow I never would have guessed this was a respray - looks fantastic and extremely original!!

Fabulous. I love it when people spend a bunch of time, effort and money on cars like these. Just because they like them . Small Citroen's are cracking.

That looks great! Still miss my first AX. Got rear-ended while standing at a traffic light, shortening an already very short car.

That is a minter ! After watching your video on the AX and talking about them being produced in Malaysia it reminded me of when a couple guys went over to Malaysia in the 90’s, makes sense now ! I preferred to drive LHD Citroën’s back in the day because of original design and the brakes were much better too ! I only ever owned one AX and it was a 1987 LHD 1.0 E Mk1 from Nice (France) I’ve still got the french certificate from the screen and handbook because it was scrapped in the Netherlands back in 2000-2003 when I worked for Citroën over there 😊

citroen is a pretty cool and fun car to drive! the reviews are really good btw. keep it up!

Another great video Steph and a very rare survivor in great condition 👍

Cute little car. I do love Citroens. Interior looks great especially those seats. And I love the steering wheel (I have an almost hubnut wiper- like obsession with steering wheels 🤣) Great video Steph 👍

That’s a lovely example! I can’t remember the last time I saw an AX, but it was a long time ago. At the time I think special editions were a clever way for manufacturers to shift more of the lower spec models - you’d get lots of custom trim and cosmetic details, but equipment levels and mechanics were usually pretty basic. Nevertheless they were good fun and quirky!

More you than in months? Then definitely be yourself on camera Steph. This was a lot of fun to watch!

Another great video! Thanks, Steph :)

@idriveaclassic

3 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

10:25 gotta love the twin-cam shout out. love his channel

Those seats are also in the AX Image but they're still pretty special. Great vid' !

I love that horn! It would be horrible on a bigger car, but it seems to match the fun, happy & zippy vibe that the AX Chicago gives out!

We had an AX Spot when we went to Italy one year, great little cars

I am amazed this is still on the road. My parents had 3 Citroen AX's when I was a kid and all 3 were falling to pieces within a year of purchase. Great cars, really good value but built to be disposable. My enduring memory of all 3 cars was having to lift up the sagging doors just to get them to close and the boot failing to open and shut properly because the hinges bolt straight into the glass an the holes would stretch.

Lovely little car complete with a Feu Orange 🙂 great video.

@idriveaclassic

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much!

Delightful! Nearly bought one (Salsa LE though) for my first car, but the dealer wouldn’t lower the price enough......so I bought a R5 instead.......

Lovely review and really nice example

The car is in such a good condition, nice to see it !

Saw a 1990 14 TRD just 2 days ago. Still looked good and ran perfectly :)

@laurentherjean9165

2 ай бұрын

The TRD was renamed DTR in the UK (and possibly other English-speaking countries) ... for an obvious reason!

excellent video the backing track is very hypnotic

@idriveaclassic

3 жыл бұрын

It’s one of my favourites x

Always liked the AX, seemed like a fun runabout. I've recently bought the cousin/ competitor from the AX, the Peugeot 205. Also with the 1.1TU engine and the 5-speed gearbox. (Very recognisable engine note on the TU engines) You can clearly see both cars were developped around the same time, with the same sort of customer / driver to mind. Quite a few interior pieces in the AX are PSA parts bin items apparently. (Inner doorhandles, armrest on the doors, window winders, sigaret lighter, wing mirror adjusters to name a few)

Speaking from experience, sometimes looking back can be through rose tinted specs. We replaced our Fiesta with an AX Chicago, it was a poor decision, woefully unreliable with terrible build quality like a generation before. Oops, busy reminiscing and forgot to say thanks for the video, top job as usual, you're right about the gearbox always was a pudding bowl 😂 Colin's done a wonderful job restoring that, brilliant work 👍

As someone who once lived in Chicago, I have to scratch my head as to why this car was called a Chicago Edition. Yes, I did see the decal, but it certainly was never sold in Chicago. Did it have a machine gun in the glove compartment? When you drove the car with the windows open, was it "windy?" Oh well, the Dutch bicycle company Azor once sold a classic Dutch style bicycle with the name "Oklahoma." Those marketing types think in mysterious ways.

I used to have a Chicago! though by the time i inherited it in 2001 or so the lacquer on the bonnet was't doing so great. it was a cracking little car though - it didn't need a rev counter, just thrash it and upshift when the vibrations got too much ;) Sadly it sustained terminal damage when a toyota landcruiser put a towbar through the front by reversing into me at the petrol station at Birch services on the M62, but those funky 3-lug alloys (which i think the citroen badges had fallen off) lived on on the 106 i had next :) Thanks for this video, so many memories

@petercrosland5502

2 жыл бұрын

Strange things happen at Birch services....having just joined the M62 further down, I met an elderly couple who escaped Birch using the route for getting in and were cheerfully driving down the motorway the wrong way!

Lovely car it's like the 106 my sister have 2 of them as a car valeting business owner when I started I often worked on them nice to see great chanell

I have a K Reg 1993 AX 1.1 White Echo 5 door. It's my first car and it's brlliant! extremely comfortable and very nippy 😀 I've seen Colin's AX & Visa in person at the GSA Rally, earlier this year. There are some photos of my car on the Citroen Net website.

@idriveaclassic

3 жыл бұрын

Ah thank you! I’ll check it out

I had a beautiful AX GT with aftermarket alloys and a massive custom exhaust back in the 90s.

That's remarkable. I'd have said it was a carefully looked after one-owner car. Recreating the graphics etc is particularly dedicated

Very interesting indeed. Love seeing the European cars we did not get this side of the pond.

🤗Haven't seen such an nice and pristine *Citroen AX* since... well NEVER! I guess when i was born they already were replaced by new Twingos and bubble shaped Corsas.

@idriveaclassic

3 жыл бұрын

I haven’t either!

@julienbee3467

3 жыл бұрын

Yes they were being replaced by Twingo, 106, Ka and Corsa

You didn't notice the door pockets - perfectly sized for a bottle of wine each for driver and passenger and also that neat little rectangular cubby hole near the driver's side mirror, just the place to put your Gauloise or Gitanes..... The french know how to build in the features that drivers want!

@idriveaclassic

3 жыл бұрын

I did, I commented on it ☺️

@stewartellinson8846

3 жыл бұрын

@@idriveaclassic How did I miss that? Sorry. Ah well, chin chin!!

First new car I bought in 1988 teal blue 3dr 10RE . Replaced it with a red 5dr 11TGE drove to Scotland in that one . Happy memories 😀

One of my favorites. The only reason I bought a Saxo was because I couldn't get an AX

@julienbee3467

3 жыл бұрын

Which Ax would you have bought ?

@MattysCars

3 жыл бұрын

@@julienbee3467 I’d go for any AX if it was close enough to where I live as long as it wasn’t a complete dog. The diesels are even tempting as they’re pretty solid and run forever

@julienbee3467

3 жыл бұрын

@@MattysCars I would go for 1.1, 1.4 or 1.4 diesel

@leandro23_

3 жыл бұрын

@@julienbee3467 1.4d NO ! Is a bad engine. Better 1.1 or 1.4

Out of all the cars ive owned my AX GT Sportiff, J186 ROK, 'The Rock' has to be one of my favourite cars. It has a deep exhaust tone, it was quick, nibble and could dfinately hold its own. Back then in 1993/4 I couldnt afford a 1.9 GTi Pug due to the high insurance. Hwr, definately no regrets with my AX, such fun! I hav a classic 1976 Triumph Stag and would love another AX GT. One will hope and pray! 😉

Steph! You mention early on about the Ax being Citroëns first supermini... Have you not seen a Citroën Ln & the second generation Lna, Peugeot 104 based but sharing the same body as the 3dr, as did the Talbot Samba, the Ln had the 602cc air-cooled flat twin & the Peugeot 4cylinder engines, the Lna had the 652cc flat twin & the 4cylinders. Very much like the visa! Great review of this Ax though!

Great video I hope you can review Peroduas like Nippa Kenari or Kelisa

Great vid 😁

Here to correct you about the seats! The fabric was also used in the BX 'Meteor' and TX* trim levels, and no doubt some others abroad too. Citroen did a LOT of fabric sharing between cars, but did a good job of not making it obvious. You're right about that fabric on the seats themselves though. As you were....

I like the red seat belts and interior accents. Very cool.

I had a 1996 1.0litre AX Dimension as my first car back in 2004. It was a great car and I enjoyed driving it. Was a lot quicker than most people expected. Wouldn’t hesitate to have another one for a cheap, tech free runabout

Another fascinating episode! The AX was certainly more conventional than the Visa, wasn’t it? I was expecting control pods and such, but no...

I posted on your Visa report that I had one of those; well I also had a poverty spec AX 1.0 too! These were designed just before manufacturers were selling cars on safety and were deliberately designed to be light weight and small in size. The 1.0 version I had weighed in at an incredible 668 kg, something unthinkable now because of crash tests and safety. Only perhaps a Caterham or Ariel could get close to this. Of course the light weight meant that decent speed could be attained even with the smaller engines and was the reason for the amazing fuel economy. The bonnet and rear hatch were lightweight plastic and the metal was light gauge. These were very forward thinking at the time of their design because of the lightness but the fashion changed quickly and such a car could not be contemplated today. I liked my AX because it handled well and felt nippy but preferred my Visa because of it's soft ride and seats and it's eccentricity.

A brilliant little car. We got very limited numbers here in New Zealand.

If I had the money, I would totally import this car. Great video.

@idriveaclassic

3 жыл бұрын

It’s so good isn’t it

@julienbee3467

3 жыл бұрын

Import it where ?

That car looks surprisingly modern for its age both inside & out. Not sure that the Blaupunkt stereo is original to the car though. That would've been quite expensive sound system. Despite watching your channel for a year or so, I only just realised I hadn't subscribed! All done now. Thanks Steph. 🚗🚗

@colintwidale272

3 жыл бұрын

Was definitely blaupunkt in the AX my dad worked at a dealer and worked on them as new cars. Some older cars had clarion ones

We had an AX 10E for a while. It was fine - except it used to get through ignition modules like no-one's business, usually at the least convenient moments. Probably the last car I owned with a carburettor - used to pink really badly when climbing hills. It was also the last car I owned with only four forward gears. Also - not the car's fault - but when someone smashed the rear windscreen, the tailgate fell off, breaking the lock - so when we had the window replaced, we also needed a new catch.

Another good one steph hope ur doing well x

My Great aunt and uncle bought a new AX 10E 3dr in early 1990, it served them well for 13 years

AX is a very reliable car, the tailgate is not made of metal but made of pvc, plastic.Lightweight and quite spicy to drive.

My second car, back in 2011, was a 1995 Citroen AX 1.1i Memphis 5dr, unfortunately I only had it for 4 months and less than 1k miles before I drove it into the side of a stationary 1yr old Astra at a fair speed, breaking my femur in the process. But I do remember that it dorve really well over poor roads (probably a little too well, resulting me driving a tad recklessly - although I wasn't at the time of the crash). It also had fantastic acceleration for such a small car, 0-60 was about 10.8s I believe. Despite having it for such a short time I have some good memories.

I have that Now 15 lol! Such a cool, uncomplicated car and getting such mad economy way back then that lardy modern cars only dream to achieve. Granted new cars are safer but people also drove better back then. You don’t see Saxos these days never mind AXs. A friend of mine had one but killed it with stupid mods and the car community absolutely slaughtered him with good reason! These are fabulous little cars. Great video Steph

Lovely little car, and yes, it has been too long since I've seen one around! I used to work with someone who had one of these in racing green, and he absolutely swore by it. If I found one of these up for sale, I think I'd be very very tempted indeed!

@Howlingd0g

3 жыл бұрын

Also, Tates Citroën in Portslade? I used to live just up the road from there. Wow, talk about a nostalgia trip!

@idriveaclassic

3 жыл бұрын

Honestly I could recommend. They’re decent cars.

@Howlingd0g

3 жыл бұрын

@@idriveaclassic Most hot hatches from this time are, it's a real golden era! I would absolutely love to own the Proton Tiara variant of this, to go alongside my Saga Aeroback. That would be a treat!

I had a Citroen AX 1.5L diesel. I bought it from an old couple who had intended to keep it until they got too old to drive, so it had been very well maintained. However their daughter gave them her old car, a 4 year old Fiesta, so they decided to sell it for £200. When I went to collect it, despite my eagerness to pay £200, they insisted on taking only £150 for it. I owned it for 4 years and it passed every MOT, and did 63 mpg, all in city traffic. One MOT tester remarked on how rust free it was, and said he had never seen one like that before. I think it was 16 years old when I bought it. The only thing was, it should have had a health warning on the exhaust pipe. The only replacement was a new battery.

We got the AX 1.4 GT in Australia for a couple of years - not many sold and very hard to find now unfortunately

It's a real shame Peugeot watered down the Citroën design flair. I know it was all about making more money but the world lost out. At least we still got the BX and XM. Well done to Colin for saving these cars and Good jod presenting them Steph. Thanks.

love it really one of the best minis of all time