After Franco’s death in ’75, Spain relaxed considerably and there was apparently also some room for cheerfulness, judging by the forget-me-not blue on this Citroën 8? “Sorry, it’s an Ami 8, right?” Yes, for us, but in Spain they did things a little differently.

Several details of the earlier French models were extended here. The aluminum, instead of stainless steel, hubcaps are a simple example. Local manufacturers also supplied parts, such as the windows and often also the lighting parts.

The name was also different. In France it was called the Ami 8 Break, here the 8 Familiar. We’re cool with it.

Much more important: it is really well preserved in the Spanish climate. There is no rust to be found and it has not been welded. The paint has been renewed at some point, the interior is still completely original.

In Spain they’re not really great with maintenance, so we got to work. A new clutch and some other small stuff help enormously and with some attention it started to drive completely to our liking.

Yes, it has become a nice car again. And one of a distinctive kind. There is a need for this in today’s traffic, so take it on your adventures!