1980 Citroen Acadiane Van

For auction on Bidding Classics - https://www.biddingclassics.com

►Seller Location – Middleton in Teesdale, DL12

►Vehicle History

- Overall condition: Restorable
- Number of owners: one (UK information – EU information unknown)
- History: incredibly limited – some import paperwork present
- MOT: MOT exempt – last MOT expired May 2022

►Exterior

This lesser-spotted little Acadiane has, like many Citroen commercials, been used as a business vehicle and has been wrapped in matte black vinyl at some stage (there is no paperwork to identify when this job was undertaken). The vinyls had carried the business logo and the ghosting of these is visible on some panels of the vehicle.

There is some wear to the vinyl wrap and signs of ageing including some light bubbling around the seams by the front headlights, some loss of the vinyl wrap in places including peeling around the fuel cap and a few light scrapes in a few places. The rear numberplate light also needs reaffixing to the car.

However, the underside of the car looks to be in fine condition and there are no noted areas requiring work; the upside of the vehicle living in sunnier climes before being imported into the UK.

The panels gaps are all uniform and correct and the doors shut well with no causes for concern. The bodywork under the wrap visually appears ‘smooth’ and aside from the aforementioned areas of light bubbling, there is nothing which immediately presents as alarming.

The tyres are all dated 2010-2014 and all show signs of age and would benefit from being replaced. The spare tyre although barely used, shows signs of light cracking. The wheels are good, but would benefit from refurbishment; especially OSF which is dented and missing a centre cap.

►Interior

The interior is where this lovely van would benefit most from some small investment. The drivers seat needs to be completely reupholstered or replaced. At present with the centre lower piece collapsed, support is required underneath to drive the vehicle. The passenger seat is weathered but perfectly usable. As Citroen fanatics will tell you, parts are plentiful for Citroens of this era and a prospective buyer will find it easy to find some secondhand seats to furnish the vehicle.

The dash, made from plastic, shows signs of age but all the gauges are present and working. The vehicle is fantastic in that no modifications or amendments have been made to the dash meaning the next owner can truly put their own stamp on the vehicle. The only noted fault on the vehicle with dash controls is that the wipers are not currently working. The interior light is fixed in with tape, but worked on test.

Whilst the outside is wrapped, the interior paintwork is still white as per factory spec and there were no leaks around the screens or windows when caught in a heavy downpour.

To the rear of the van, the vehicle has been left largely as per factory spec with a painted floor. The insertion of a stainless-steel fixed table into the back of the van has been undertaken by the current owner for commercial use, although this could be removed. As is usual with commercials of this age, the floor to the rear has paint loss, some minor dents and surface rust; a symptom of fair wear and tear in a high traffic/stress area.


►Mechanicals

Whilst this attractive little van requires a little fettling elsewhere, the mechanical elements of the vehicle sell it immeasurably; because it is a sweet-sounding engine which suggests the low mileage to be accurate.

The engine bay very much reflects the ‘work horse’ nature of the vehicle, but pleasingly, money has been well spent and all the hoses appear to be in good condition and inspecting the engine bay whilst the engine was running revealed no untoward noises or leaks.

The exhaust doesn’t appear smoky whilst idling or whilst driving and there are no leaks under the car to report. Oil checked was clear and the level was normal.

The exhaust is affixed firmly and securely with no attention needed and no perishable items like the rubbers and windscreen wipers need changing; in fact many of them looked to have been changed in the last few years.

Although there is the cosmetically noted light bubbling noted on the exterior as mentioned above, there are no causes for concern on the underside of the vehicle.