Over the decades, French manufacturers have pushed the boundaries when it comes to styling, engineering and pure quirkiness. A prime example is the Citroën DS, with its hydropneumatic self-levelling suspension: launched at the 1955 Paris motor show, its futuristic good looks and advanced technology resulted in record-breaking orders before the show had even finished.
Fast-forward two decades and Citroën was at it again, this time with the SM, a high-performance coupé with aerodynamic styling, while other French companies such as Peugeot and Renault were offering their own avant-garde models.
Three owners explain why they are so passionate about their Gallic vehicles.
Crazy styling
Nick Savage, 64, lives in West Sussex and owns a 1964 Citroën Ami 6. About a million were produced between 1961 and 1969 before being replaced by the Ami 8. The car’s more quirky features included removable seats, which, in marketing literature, were shown being used as picnic chairs. Today, it’s estimated that less than 20 remain on the road.
“I bought this lovely Ami 6, which was imported to the UK in 1995, three years ago,” says Savage. “I’ve loved all French cars, especially Citroëns, since I was a child, and the Ami 6 – France’s best-selling vehicle during the 1960s – is my favourite.
“It’s the second I’ve owned, and even if you don’t love it, the crazy styling, such as its droopy bonnet line and reverse-rake rear window, will stop you in your tracks. I love taking it to car shows where people walk past immaculate Jaguar E-Types to wonder at my car.
“The quirky shape was penned by Flaminio Bertoni, also responsible for the legendary Citroën DS, although the Ami 6 was, apparently, his favourite design.
“Although it’s rare in the UK, mechanical parts are shared with the 2CV, so are readily available.
“Nowadays, it’s only used to attend local classic car meets. Shows farther afield involve negotiating the South Downs and, with only 602cc under the bonnet, it usually results in a queue of impatient drivers behind. Even so, I still love my Ami 6.”
Fun to drive
Hampshire-based Beverley Buckley, 51, owns a Renault Wind 1.6 Dynamique S. Production of the two-seater lasted only three years (2010-2013), with about 14,000 made. Fewer than 3,000 were registered in the UK, and about 1,700 are still in use.
“On turning 50 in 2025, I bought myself lots of presents, including a Renault Wind,” says Buckley. “Having owned one before, I missed driving a convertible and the car’s quirkiness.
“I have an electric Mercedes for everyday driving, so the Wind only sees daylight on dry, sunny days. For a quirky French car, it has a good spec, including cruise control, Bluetooth and heated leather seats. The roof is solid, but by simply pressing a button it rotates 180 degrees and folds away within the boot lid, meaning it doesn’t encroach on luggage space.
“It’s a truly pampered pet. Speaking of which, during Covid we went down to one car while furloughed. But with an elderly diabetic cat, I was worried about reaching the vet in an emergency, so that’s when we bought our first Wind for £1,800.
“One morning I found our cat stretched out, her blood sugar reading through the floor. I drove her straight to the surgery. The vet explained that if I’d waited any longer, we’d have lost her. So, the first Renault Wind helped save my cat’s life.
“Sadly, you don’t see many Winds on the road. It’s a shame, because it’s a great little car and fun to drive; I won’t be parting with mine any time soon.”
Radical roof
Simon Haskew, 64, lives in the West Midlands and owns a 2009 Citroën C3 Pluriel. Between 2003 and 2010, more than 110,000 were sold, but it’s estimated that fewer than 400 remain registered in the UK. Thanks to its quirky roof design, it was marketed as a “five-in-one” modular vehicle – everything from hatchback to four-seater Spider when the roof arches were removed.
The futuristic fabric-roof design, however, had drawbacks, with some owners of early models reporting leaks. Removing the arches to create a fully open-top Pluriel wasn’t straightforward either, because the arches were too heavy and cumbersome to be kept in the vehicle. Unexpected downpours resulted in a wet driver and passenger. Nonetheless, the Pluriel had its loyal supporters even though Top Gear described it as being “as useful as a chocolate teapot”.
“Despite those negatives, I love my Pluriel,” says Haskew. “In fact, I attended the motor show at the NEC when the model was revealed. Then, three years ago, I was proud to see mine displayed on the Citroën stand at the NEC Classic Car Show; it attracted the most attention, and received more comments than any car on the stand, including the DS and SM.
“I bought it in 2024 to replace my Citroën Visa, which was written off while parked in a supermarket car park. I wanted a later model because it had improved front-crash protection and redesigned window rubbers.
“Towards the end of production, Citroën brought out the Charleston special edition, recreating the colour scheme of the 2CV Charleston from the 1980s. I searched daily for one, and eventually bought mine from a dealer in York. Only 46 right-hand drive Charlestons were imported to the UK and only 20 remain on the road.
“Admittedly, the car is underpowered and the 1.4i eight-valve, 75bhp petrol engine struggles up hills with four people aboard, but I love its colour scheme, the fact that it can be turned into a convertible and its overall versatility.
“The Pluriel, a development of the C3 hatchback, was first shown at the 1999 Frankfurt motor show. It’s beyond quirky, especially as, being modular, it can change between five configurations.
“You can choose a three-door saloon; three-door panoramic saloon with the pillarless side windows down, and the roof back over the rear window; cabriolet with the fabric roof, rear window and parcel shelf retracted under the boot floor; spider with the roof side-frames removed and, finally, spider pick-up with its drop tailgate.
“I use it as my daily car. I’m a member of the Pluriel Club of France and this year 15 Pluriels, including mine, toured Ardèche and Gard. There are also clubs in Germany and Italy. I want to launch a UK club, because the most Pluriels we can gather at any one time is three.”
Visit citroencarclub.org.uk and the Renault Wind Owners’ Club UK for more details.