1988 Citroën AX 10 RE with 51 km is for sale for €10,000

Some stories sound almost too unlikely to be true, even when they concern cars as ordinary as this 1988 Citroën AX 10 RE.

It is being offered for sale in the Paris area for €10,000. While that is a substantial sum for a humble 1980s supermini, there are compelling reasons for it - not least that its odometer reads just 51 km.

The story of this particular example is equally remarkable. It was initially displayed at a Citroën dealership in Levallois-Perret, Paris, before being bought by a woman seeking a quick replacement for her 2CV, which had sustained a minor accident.

The woman’s relationship with her new AX lasted… less than one kilometre. After travelling roughly 800 metres - it had already covered almost 50 km from the factory - the new owner decided she disliked the way the car drove and simply stopped using it.

She did not exchange it for another model, nor did she sell it. Instead, she placed it in her garage beneath a cover, where it remained.

Time moved on outside, but the little Citroën was frozen in time. More than 25 years passed before it saw daylight again, when it was recovered and purchased by Vintage Legend, a specialist in classic cars and youngtimers.

37 years old and like new

The condition of this Citroën AX appears almost unreal, particularly as it has never been restored. Its bodywork still wears the original Meije White paint, while the cabin is untouched, with no visible wear on the fabrics, plastics or controls. Even the engine bay resembles a time capsule.

Power comes from the 954 cm³ four-cylinder TU engine, producing only 45 hp. It was the smallest and least powerful unit in the range, paired with a four-speed manual gearbox. The Citroën AX’s legendary lightness, combined with this RE version - one of the least well-equipped models - meant it weighed only 640 kg. Even so, reaching 100 km/h took an interminable 17.9 seconds.

Before anyone attempts that feat again, however, the engine will require a thorough service. Vintage Legend says it is not seized, but this AX has not been driven for 37 years.

It would also be advisable to replace the Michelin MX tyres, which are still the originals, with new ones. They are now more museum pieces than usable tyres.

A difficult sale?

The story of this 1988 Citroën AX 10 RE with only 51 km is far from over. It has been with Vintage Legend for several years already and is still looking for a new home. Its high asking price may be one reason why.

The €10,000 requested, as shown in the listing, may seem excessive, matching or exceeding the prices commanded by the most desirable versions of the little French car, such as the AX Sport and AX GTI.

Yet €10,000 is considerably less than the amount sought a couple of years ago, when it appeared at Rétromobile 2024: €14,900.

The hope is that a future buyer will see value not only in the car itself, but also in its history: the unlikely prospect of finding an utterly ordinary Citroën AX… in an utterly extraordinary condition.