The Citroen C15 is a super-French car with heritage and history dating back to early vans based on the 2CV. Few cars have been more loved by French wine merchants, butchers, florists, plumbers and farmers.
Over the years, France has had its own "people's cars". Cheap and simple lightweights that most people can afford to buy and maintain. Small vans like Citroen 2CV AK400, followed by Acadiane og C15 is a type of car that the French have pressed to their chest. The Citroen C15 is one of the most popular of all time. During 22 years, almost 1,2 million were produced and the vast majority were sold in the countries around the Mediterranean. Today they are virtually extinct everywhere, but still roll around on the roads in France. Most are unrestored cars with several hundred thousand kilometers on the odometer.
If a Citroen C15 had appeared in Oslo, many people would have noticed it. If someone had asked to take a picture of the car, I'm sure the owner would have understood why. In the south of France, you don't have to go far to find a C15. But no one here would understand why someone would take a picture of you. They are not rare, nor special and certainly not beautiful. Most are white or faded red with dents and dusty interiors – often with seats where the upholstery has crumbled. Asking a foreign car owner to take a picture can therefore be perceived as an insult.
Has turned 40 years old
The Citroen C15 is based on the Citroen Visa II with rear suspension taken from the Peugeot 305 station wagon. The look brings to mind 40 years back, and this year it is actually marked that the model is 40 years old. While the Citroen Visa went out of production as early as 1988, the C15 van was produced right up until 2005 – in the last few years in parallel with the successor Berlingo.
Tax-advantaged in France
It is obvious that the C15 was designed as a practical, inexpensive and affordable means of transport. Perhaps that is why so many cars are still in daily use. The diesel engines have proven to last a long time and should you need to fix something, there are countless workshops that can accept France's most up-to-date van. The success in France can be explained by the fact that the cars could be registered within a tax-friendly weight class of 1500 kg – hence the name C15.
Three series
The first series was made between 1984 and 1989. They have the front indicators positioned vertically on the outside of the headlights. From 1989, the grill got fewer ribs with the citroen logo placed above on the right side and the turn signals placed in the bumper. Further changes were made in 1992 when the cars received thick rubber strips on the sides and the logo placed centrally in the grill. The special 1-spoke steering wheel was replaced with a normal 2-spoke steering wheel. The first cars got PSA's 1,1 liter petrol engines of 55 hp or 1,8 diesel engines of 60 hp. Later, the petrol option became a 1,4-litre 75 hp or a 1,9 diesel with 60 hp. You could also get cars with four-wheel drive rebuilt at angel.
More variants
The standard version of the C15 is a van with 2 seats, with one, two or no side windows. Cars were also made completely clad with windows and a fold-down rear seat, called "Familiale", "Mixta" and other names, depending on the market. In France, a variant "Rallongé" with an extended box was sold. A variant with a cold room was also offered for the food industry. A variant that may be of interest to take care of for posterity is the pickup variant with or without tip. A very practical vehicle.
A variant with 6 wheels signed was also made Léotard & Chausson - the former designer and the latter body builder. The model is referred to as C15.6. Technically speaking, the 6-wheeler is not particularly advanced. The front-wheel drive has been retained, and the bogie solution and the length of the cargo box provide room for more cargo. Although these cars were hardly chosen for their practicality. Perhaps they were acquired to create attention? Of approximately 100 cars produced, only a handful will remain today.
motorhome
Several motorhome variants of the C15 have been made. Popular conversions are Autostar by Mascot, Teilhol and British RomaHome with retractable roof solution. The interior solutions are impressive considering that the C15 is a light small car. Technical total weight is 1710 kg (diesel). With 60 hp, it pays to take it easy along the road, but once you're there, it must be fun to settle in for the night in real French surroundings.
The Peugeot 205 F (Fourgonnette) shares several similarities with the Citroen C15 and could well have become a worthy successor. Unfortunately, the van of the 205 never achieved the same popularity as the passenger cars. People preferred the Citroen C15. The Peugeot 205 F was produced for only 2 years - from 1994 to 1996.
Is the C15 a cool car? In Spain, something called Dust Race where the cars first cross through Spain and then drive through the whole of Morocco over the dunes. The only models allowed to participate are the Peugeot 205 and Citroen C15. The car in the picture took part in this race in 2023. It looks pretty cool, doesn't it?
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