Citroen Acadiane - a classic French van never sold in the UK!

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Citroen Arcadiane
Coming to market in the spring of 1978, the Citroen Arcadiane van was launched by Citroen to replace the iconic 2CV light commercial vehicles sometimes known as the 2CV van, AK400 van or the 2CV Au Fourgonette, which had come to market in 1951.
The Arcadiane wasn’t an entirely new design, because Citroen took the load space of the AK400 and then married it to the front end of a Dyane with a raised roofline.
If you’re wondering why, it’s all down to aerodynamics, which are apparently improved and therefore give it better performance and fuel consumption compared with the old 2CV van.
Being a commercial, the colours aren’t extensive on these and you’ve got a choice of white, beige or blue. Pre wrap, this would’ve been blanc Alaska, translating as white Alaska to me and you at home.
A lot of people would end here on the facts, but that’s a lazy take on how the Arcadiane moves on from the AK400, because Citroen made a lot of subtle changes to the new commercial including:
- The load volume increases to 80.4 cubic feet
- The useful load space increased by 6 inches to 5ft 3 and a half inches
- Although not speedy, the 602cc air-cooled flat twin engine has increased performance and can achieve 62mph unloaded on official Citroen tests
There are also discs to front and I believe the suspension is improved, although I couldn’t find official advertising literature to confirm how much this differed from earlier AK400 vans.
All practical and thoughtful changes, but that’s not where it ends, because driver enjoyment and comfort was taken into account too. There was better visibility, new wind down windows which we mention later are an improvement on the side slide windows of the Dyane car, seats are adjustable and probably a given now but a plus point at the time, inertia belts are fitted as standard.
It also has a new rear bumper, but that’s purely cosmetic.
The Arcadiane never hit the cult level of fame seen by previous Citroens like the DS or 2CV and is today a lesser spotted van, but still entirely recognisable and not easy to mistake for anything else!
Production ended in 1987 when it was replaced by the C15. Now before we go for a drive, let’s have a better look at this dash and the rather interesting gear change!

[@DaveJudd]

Driving an older Citroen is a great way of makings friend. " give us a push mate".

[@idriveaclassic]

James Walshe and Ian from HubNut have somehow convinced me Citroen life is a doddle. Those two are winning with their exploits.

[@HubNut]

Boo!

[@idriveaclassic]

@@HubNut I see your 2CV and raise you a collection of half broken BMCBL cars 😂😂😂😂😂

[@jeffreynolds3848]

Steph, on top of every, what a great running commentary in difficult driving conditions! Full props for the camerawork on the drive; ‘loved the lean on the camera going thro’ the turns...!

[@gwilliammaggs]

Give er some welly, don’t you love the English language. Very appropriate for the current vehicle 😂😂.

[@trev8932]

One of the best gear changes you'll ever encounter, it's totally logical, these engines don't like low revs and were designed for full throttle running, this was mentioned in my Dyane's hand book. I hope someone will look after this car and use it, terrific vehicle's. If I had the money I'd take it in a Jiffy.

[@peyiots]

I had an Accadiane, purchased from new from Belgium for anticipated fieldwork research in Tunisia. Chosen because I wanted a car that was common there and thus easily repairable by local mechanics. Drove it all the way to Sicily, then ferry to Tunisia and the Djerid where I lived for about 4 months. Great little car, able to take loads of things, but risky when crossing oueds (streams of sudden dips in the roads with accumulated water) when, if the points (bougies) got wet, you were stuck. It also had a removable bench rear seat that folded over. Its weak point was its body: it rusted badly, the sliding windows got stuck (and one fell out), and the steering mechanism had to be replaced, but I used it to transport building material subsequently. Unfortunately it only lasted me from 1982 to 94 when I had to scrap it. I am amazed at the prices they now seem to fetch. Good fun and affection for its quirky difficulties because it was not a driver's car, but it was my first.. Thanks for the memories.

[@markdowling5962]

Beautiful van for sure, James from chops garage has one should be registered soon, many thanks Steph, much enjoyed 😀

[@davidmartin6735]

Well Said .. Agreed both Great Channels

[@idriveaclassic]

Ooohhh I need to tune in

[@volvo480]

I think in one of Ian's videos about Elly the 2CV he explained the gear change was set up as such because 2nd and 3rd gear were the gears you needed to change the most between them on twisty roads. And that you need to rev the engine. I grew up with lots of 2CVs in the family so it all looks so familiar to me. 😊

[@markriding1267]

Always a smile Steph,your enthusiasm is infectious 🤗

[@chrisbates8064]

A 2CV gear change is easy Stef. It's quite strongly spring loaded to the 2/3 shift so really needs guiding rather than 'grabbing'. Once in first, simply push with an open palm back towards the dash for second and then fingers cupped around the top, pull out for third. For fourth, open palm at 7 o'clock on the leave facing towards 2 o'clock and simply push in and away from you. Loved the review.

[@idriveaclassic]

Thanks Chris and thank you for the thorough explanation x

[@josephmifsud8261]

I have never seen one of these before. A tres bien find. And like the Minor, the engine note is unique to the 2CV style Citroen

[@onewhocollects6781]

I believe those are called drum type gauges. Thay have a drum that turns instead of a dial moving. Thay where really common on cars from the '10s and '20s. Great video!

[@idriveaclassic]

Thank you! I’ll be like ‘an expert once told me’ 😘

[@kenhanna6834]

idriveaclassic and onewhocollects, the fuel gauge and voltmeter on Dyanes & Acadianes are not 'drum type', since it's the needle in both gauges which moves and the scales are static.

[@shanedebarra4986]

Yep ... My '28 Ford model A had a drum speedo ... they have gone in and out of fashion, in some Citroens they even have magnifier lenses in the apertures too.

[@philipcupid6660]

❤ Yes the gear change reminds me of trying how to learn with my favorite uncle going down a country road in Northern Ireland in a Renault 4 - great job Stephanie!!

[@idriveaclassic]

Haha it’s the ones where you get family flashbacks!

[@doluggs]

11:20 this is the generation of cars that still had an ash tray - as standard! Because that was a necessity - other to the second sun shade. (but you can get one if you think that you really need it. And the threaded mounting holes are already there). Greetings from my 2CV 5th wheeler that is also based on an Acadiane.

[@paulchappell]

Wonderful video! I am also delighted to hear you extolling the virtues of Citroens in general. Quirky, for sure, but fun. Thank you, Steph.

[@idriveaclassic]

Bloody love Citroens. Modern ones aren’t for me but pre millennium you get some decent kit.

[@philtaylor9038]

Steph now you've mastered that gear change. Can you review Ian's TWC in the future.

[@idriveaclassic]

Haha I’ll ask 😂😂😂

[@alisonknox9278]

I have one!!! I adore it!!! The best vehicle I have ever bought. A piece of engineering genius and a mechanical wonde. Thanks for a great video!

[@philread386]

Learnt on a Dyane. Reverse first really good for three point turns. Second third ideal for around town.

[@idriveaclassic]

Wow did you really?! That’s an awesome first car experience.

[@Objectification]

I love that sound 😊 miss my 2cv

[@11carbuff19572011]

Hiya Steph. Another great road test so expertly done in just the right format. I first saw the name of Acadian billed in older editions of the Observer's Pocket Book series #21, the Observer's Book of Automobiles. The name was originally used by General Motors of Canada for their equivalent of the Chevrolet Chevy Nova less than 60 years ago. It's been almost 40 years now since I last came across the name when used on the Canadian produced version of the Chevette, one of which is in your back catalogue of reviews.

[@peterriggall8409]

Top video Steph. I really admire the fact that you will have a go at anything.

[@idriveaclassic]

Thanks Peter! Wait til you see what we’ve got next week.

[@danieltaylor3755]

Very cool car and cool review. I think we need a Fiat 126 review now.

[@allanmollison6971]

For a minute I thought the drivers side was covered in ants. 🤣 Thanks for sharing Steph. 👍

[@idriveaclassic]

😂😂😂

[@geoffreyroberts2000]

I had one for many years, the most comfortable van ever built alongside the Renault 4 van. They were available new in right hand drive in the Channel Islands where the milkman in Guernsey had one. They were outsold in France by the Renault 4 van with its water cooled engine and 850cc ! plus the push pull gear change was in the normal H pattern.

[@johnmiller4973]

As the owner of a very early Renault 5 I understand your pain on the gearchange Steph

[@gzilbers]

Hello Steph, A few comments about the AK-Dyane van: 1 - the type of speedometer you call a "ticker-tape" is called a "ribbon-speedometer" here in the USA (although I like your "ticker-tape" description better . . . ) 2 - as for what is often called the "umbrella gearshift lever", in a 2CV, which has the same drive-train, you can see what is happening by looking at the transmission with the hood open. You will see a "normal" gear lever sticking straight up from the transmission, but the driver can't reach it because it's under the hood ! Hence, the "umbrella gearshift lever" is a sort of "remote control" for a normal gear lever under the hood. (Unfortunately, this is not so obvious on the AK-Dyane, because it's hidden under the spare tire, oops, tyre . . .) (Incidentally, look up a 1930's American car, the Cord L-29 front wheel drive and you'll see the same "umbrella" gear lever for the same reason, so it's an American invention, not a French one !) 3 - Having worked on my 2CV, I personally think that the reason the Dyane, and the AK-Dyane failed in the market vs the 2CVs, is maintenance access. On a 2CV (car or van), one can remove both front fenders in about 3 1/2, or maybe as much as 4 minutes, and have full access to the motor for things like spark plug changes or valve adjustments. I believe that getting this level of access on a Dyane car or van is much more difficult ! ! I hope you found this interesting !

[@Vince_uk]

Always a good video and interesting subject matter Steph.

[@idriveaclassic]

Thank you!

[@davidquinn5906]

I do like cars where the design brief is 'A big box to put me stuff in'

[@kellybrickey4300]

My '58 Studebaker had those type of gauges on the dash, and they referred to them in the manual as "drum" gauges. But. I am in the U.S. , so there's that. ;-)

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Great video as always Steph, having recently been out in a 2CV with the sporting Bears at the NEC, I can imagine how fun this little drive would be.

[@manofthehour6856]

Brilliant, Steph! I knew these from model car collecting days.

[@graemew7001]

You looked so tiny and lost in the back of this van at the start of the video haha! I bet Ian will be watching this video with a little hint of jealousy, he'd love this van.

[@Extreme_Rice]

He wouldn’t be jealous of the broken wipers though.

[@graemew7001]

@@Extreme_Rice Haha! So true, did you see how he was with the Beetle this week?

[@idriveaclassic]

Ian had one in his early days, we had a chat about it earlier. He went to a festival in it, which is pretty cool!

[@graemew7001]

@@idriveaclassic Aw yeah he did, if I remember rightly it was a camoflage painted version he had......that shows how long I've been sub'd to Ian lol, first channel I ever sub'd to.

[@charlotte2004jd]

I don’t drive, but I think I could learn for one of these. Good one,Steph.

[@idriveaclassic]

Maybe now is the time 😘

[@paulthew2]

My three favourite car channels - Jay Leno's Garage, Harry's Garage, and idriveaclassic!

[@idriveaclassic]

Woah what a big up there!!! Thank you Paul!!!!

[@jetblack5115]

Gearbox makes more noise than the engine great review again it was great to see you on big TV last week...

[@idriveaclassic]

Aw thanks for me on proper telly. I couldn’t quite believe I got asked

[@luisbatista5]

The Citroen Dyane/Acadiane depending on the market he was sold it could have in front dors wind-up windows or split windows like in Renault 4L or Austin Mini first gen... Great video and thank you Steph.❤

[@idriveaclassic]

Oh really?! I got told it was deffo always wind down in these vans

[@luisbatista5]

@@idriveaclassic As I said Steph it depends on the market/ contry it has been sold 😊

[@luisbatista5]

@@idriveaclassic Hey there Steph, you have in ERClassic youtube channel an example of a Citroën Acadiane 1986 with 30.000 kms from netherlands with split windows in frontdoors, netherlands is a country where you can find some more models with split windows. Take care and see you soon

[@darrenwilson8042]

I have owned 2CV and Dyane's - always preferred the Dyane and its derivatives. The gear change is simple once you have about 15 mins practise - its push and pull like a floor mounted stick tbh

[@craigsouthwell3484]

I'd love to see you do a review of Elly Hubnut's 2cv.

[@merkvandermeulen3978]

The owner should take both seats out, strip the upholstery, and the foam if glued to the frame if necessary. A complete fresh set of foam, and rubber O-rings, fitted between new canvas mats and the frame, will make all the difference in comfort, as well as appearance, and moreover, help to preserve what's left of the visibly worn out left hand cover. Not quite sure if seats (or their upholstery / foam-layers) are inter changeable from left to right on this model. On my Ami Super they are not.

[@anthonytallarida4192]

Yet another great review Steph, keep up your amazing work. ❤

[@nickgodfrey1973]

Sounds very 2CV-ish! Love a musical gearbox... if you saw the things I drive, you'd understand!

[@shibafujiwatches2808]

As always, another great vid. Can just imagine people selling stuff from it.

[@idriveaclassic]

Baguettes and wine 😉

[@CombeValleyCampers]

Great video! My employee has just bought one!

[@idriveaclassic]

Aw you’ll have loads of laughs in it

[@TheFlyingSaucePan]

A 602cc Acadiane in good condition should be able to do 70 mph And it's actually 33 hp, so you have to rev it! Thank you for the video :)

[@stevenward6453]

Great video again Steph brilliant van

[@idriveaclassic]

Thanks for watching!

[@Saskue78]

The gear change is interesting for sure. .🙂🙂

[@idriveaclassic]

Deffo!

[@johnwinters4201]

Mine is quite unusual in that it was imported new to the UK. Manufactured in late 1985. Imported and registered in Dec 1985. No idea why. Don't even think about 4th gear until you're doing at least 40 mph. If you want to accelerate, stay in 3rd until about 50 mph, then change up.

[@idriveaclassic]

I think I’ve got used to life changing gear into 4th at 28/30mph. I need to branch out!

[@davidquinn5906]

Re seat repair. I did my Mini by making a sort of hammock out of mig wire. Temporary repair that was still there when I sold the car five years later.

[@idriveaclassic]

That’s clever. In my Minor I redid my seat straps after realising it wasn’t that difficult 😂

[@alexanderbaker1609]

Another excellent video review Steph. 👍

[@idriveaclassic]

Thank you so much Alex

[@Mr.-Wint]

It was called the "umbrella" gearshift !

[@jjcale1976]

Looks like the grandfather of the C15

[@JACK-ot9kv]

Curiosity for his A110, ALPINE used the same front turnsignal light made for CITROEN DYANE or ACADIANE.

[@bondbug73]

Just outside south of Middleton-in-Teesdale? Nice video of this rare van.

[@idriveaclassic]

Gosh you’re bang on the money

[@bondbug73]

@@idriveaclassic Ha! I know. I'm from Bradford Stef, and the road which you handled the gears rather well went through Mickleton towards Barnard Castle without being to specific. Another enjoyable video.

[@johnroberts3607]

It was sold in the Uk at Citroen agents I had one from new purchased from a Citroen garage in Crewe.

[@idriveaclassic]

I was told quite reliably all were imported.

[@idriveaclassic]

I guess we learn something new every day!

[@johnwinters4201]

Are you sure it was an Acadiane you bought rather than an AK400? The Acadiane was never officially sold in the UK, although a dealer might have been able to get one to special order. Mine was registered new in the UK but I have no information as to how it came to be imported.

[@tyrannodex8472]

Anyone think Pin from @DGNDriving should try and explain the extended H to Steph? Would complete the automotive triangle of Steph/Hubnut/Pin. Maybe Ashley Neal could get involved as well :D

[@johnoksys7713]

Good Video Steph Something Different For A Vehicle Nice Dress Your Wearing

[@Extreme_Rice]

I’d never noticed before that Acadiane wasn’t spelt the same as Dyane. Seems it may be another French pun like DS and ID.

[@andrewd511]

I'm slowly coming to like these weird old things. Lol

[@micrashed]

Brilliant vans.

[@idriveaclassic]

Agreed. Bit noisy for me though.

[@alexwade9921]

The ‘dog leg’ gear arrangement is sporty! The rationale is that on a country lane you’d barely ever use 1st but would want 2nd and 3rd loads. 2nd and 3rd are the ‘central’ ones so only backwards and forwards. So typically Citroen.

[@akronymus]

Some Porsche models also hat first gear in the same position, and some Mercedes vans. It is not so hard to learn.

[@alexwade9921]

@@akronymus - Quite a few cars had. Some Alfa Romeos of the 1970s. The Cosworth engined Mercedes 190 from the late 1980s. It was mostly a competition thing though.

[@akronymus]

@@alexwade9921 It was later that the schemes became more or less unified. I think it is not so difficult to check such thongs before first ride. A visitor from the USA wanted to drive my 2CV. We went to an empty parking lot and I let him try. I first explained what the clutch does, and that it has to be released smoothly - he did well. He also quickly found out the position of the gears and was amazed how easy this was. He also got along with the non-power brakes. Then I let jim drive, and he liked the car.

[@waltertaljaard1488]

It is I, Le Clerc. And I drive an Acadiane.

[@trevatkin4869]

Blimey, not sure I could cope with that gearchange. Cool video though.

[@idriveaclassic]

Yeah needs to be learnt before you can fully enjoy x

[@westerlywinds5684]

It’s like starting a Cessna Lycoming engine. Prt-prt-Rrrrrrrrr-weeezz…..😅

[@TheQuirkyGarage1999]

Bonjour Steph 🙂👋 I'm always when you review a French classic👍 Greetings from France btw do you travel all the way to where the cars is or it's the other way around ?

[@idriveaclassic]

I travel to the cars, it’s the least I can do if an owner is making the time for me.

[@patrickh7368]

My Renault 5 (1975) had a gear lever similar to that…. 😊

[@idriveaclassic]

Oh really?!

[@patrickh7368]

@@idriveaclassic yes Renault 4 stayed with that gear shifter… traditional H , the idea of 1st and reverse being opposite is for mr farmer to easily change direction and once moving 1st is no longer needed , as you found 2nd and 3rd are mostly needed and again they opposite each other… 😊

[@MS-xx7vg]

VERY. Nice. It s not. A. Wrong. Hand. DRIVER

[@ABCXYZ-vm5rv]

This one has the front of a Dyane than a 2CV.

[@easybeat]

Found the Dyane a much better vehicle than the 2CV. For info. Think the "temperature gauge" might be a volt meter - or something.

[@idriveaclassic]

I’ve not driven a 2CV…yet

[@easybeat]

@@idriveaclassic Had both and easily preferred Dyane. Hatchback, better construction (as far as it went!), possibly better aerodynamics, looks better (controversial?). Altogether a more complete vehicle for me. Of course, given that it was a newer design.

[@ben1969bf]

Yes , its a Voltmeter .

[@TheTimutube]

Are they good over potholes

[@andyrobertshaw9120]

Is this gear change any different from other Citroëns (eg 2CV)? The big competitor of this van was the Renault 4 van, which I remember quite well, but I don’t remember seeing one of these on my trips to France 40 years ago. Worthing saying as well, these are not to be confused with the H-van!

[@idriveaclassic]

I haven’t driven a 2CV yet so I couldn’t comment 😭😭😭

[@ben1969bf]

Hi, No, the gearchange is exactly the same ,and is so easy to use

[@peyiots]

Quite right. The Renault 4 van was its competitor but it was more expensive but sturdier. Drove one from Athens to the Peloponnese; no trouble whatsoever and more conventional and less tiring than the Acadiane to drive, and faster!

[@davidyoung9561]

I think Citroen missed an opportunity by not selling this in the UK.

[@michaelhalsall5684]

"Citroen" must be the French word for "quirky"!

[@lesklower7281]

Citreons the only cars vans that were desinged and built way outside the box they are just been discovered by American you tubers and they are totally confused by them but not me l have known about them from when l was young are the benefits of living in Australia

[@WheelchairWonders]

Bonkers but I love it... (Phil)..

[@idriveaclassic]

😂😂😂. It was bonkers you’re right!

[@RWL2012]

C15 was made until 2006.

[@660einzylinder]

I had bought a new C15 in 2006, treated it like a Land Rover, It was much, much more reliable than a Land Rover though, which encouraged even more abuse! I doubt a Land Rover would average over 52mpg for the first 125,000 miles of it's life.

[@koneistaja773]

Pumping pumping gas

[@uzaiyaro]

2CV powered?

[@The-Rectifier]

Indeed, the same 602 cc engine

[@johnwinters4201]

Almost, except the Acadiane is super-charged for an extra 2 h.p.

[@The-Rectifier]

@@johnwinters4201 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@idriveaclassic]

All the fab people above have beaten me to reply hehe!

[@michaelstaunton1632]

👍👍👍

[@andrelemire9915]

✨🌹✨

[@mr2cv1953]

I guess that if one seeks to be an authority on a subject one ought to at least spell the name of the subject matter correctly!

[@idriveaclassic]

It got corrected 2 mins after upload. Sorry I got it wrong, we’re all human ❤️

[@boedhaspeaks]

Why is every ginger wearing green or yellow/brown clothes?

[@idriveaclassic]

A memo went out to all ginger people a few months ago. That’s how we’ve collectively planned it.

[@fava7753]

It , , not she , , it , a machine made of metal and other materials . Mechanical engineering . . Not a woman . Its a fekin , machine . .

[@idriveaclassic]

You do realise that ‘she’ is a commonly used pronoun for cars? Hence why the French call it LA voiture not LE voiture.

[@660einzylinder]

@@idriveaclassic ships are always 'she' as well.