IDRIVEACLASSIC reviews: Citroen AX Chicago (a special edition!)

[@alexdavis386]

I was the AX Product Manager for Citroen UK when this was launched. I came up with the name, the graphics and created all the marketing support for it! If I remember correctly, the original French version had a name based on a French TV series. Citroen AX Chicago - became part of 'The Americas' Special Edition Collection. Citroen were producing so many Special Editions for the AX at this time, it was hard to keep up. I think I have the brochure for the Chicago somewhere. During my time at Citroen I had many AX's and loved them all. Brilliant car - for its era.

[@robinpickering6845]

Hi Steph, a great review and a trip down memory lane. I purchased an AX Chicago in March 1990 G482DRE costing £6400. I was my first new car and kept it for two and a half years before upgrading to the AXGT 1.4 twin choke engine. The pin stripes were in Bordeaux Red and I asked the dealer to remove the gear Knob and fix to the new GT. The mother in law and sister in law also purchased new AX Debuts in 1993 and 1995. Some 15 years after selling the Chicago (2007) it turned up at the end of a road where I was working on a property. Now some 18 years old it still looked great and I spoke to the elderly lady owner who had purchased it when I sold so was the second and final owner. The AXGT was sold in 1999 and finally met it's maker around 2006, again with only two owners. Great cars and very reliable.

[@giulioz.4928]

Just love when my favourite KZbinrs refer to each other in their videos. To me they’re like friends I spend time with and knowing they meet at events in real life… just adds to the feeling of having a family. 🤗

[@Liamduffers2]

This is one of those cars that seemed so common a few years but suddenly disappeared. Can't remmeber the last time I've seen one of these!

[@anthonygregg862]

The second car I had after passing my test was a 1.1 Citroen ax RE. I had it for 5 years and it was a great car to bomb around in. Its great to see one in superb condition, Credit to the owner

[@idriveaclassic]

Thanks for watching!

[@leonvandijk6194]

Had a 1.0 with 14500 km, sold it last week and i regret it now :(

[@carlknorr3793]

I have had a AX now for 6 years, drove it all over Europe, from Malta to beyond the Arctic circle, very economical and easy to work on. Love it

[@bindefuni5407]

Brings back fun memories. I borrowed a 1.0 4 speed AX for a month back in 2005. It was an absolute shed but remains to this day the most fun car I have ever driven. Brilliant video as always. Thanks.

[@Funny_Magnet]

Great cars that bring back happy memories. Had 3 of them. 2 GT’s and a 1.4D that went on forever on a tank of diesel.

[@MaximilianvonPinneberg]

My parent's old neighbours had 3 of them too. They downsized from a Cavalier to one of these they liked them that much. i always remember them having a great ride and sharp styling.

[@peterriggall8409]

Top job Colin preserving some Citroen history. Don’t believe these were ever sold in Australia. We only got the BX and CX in this era.

[@andrewjames9551]

Great video . I own a late 1996 Ax dimension . I have had this car for around 3 years now and I absolutely love it . This is the 4th ax that I have owned have had them.when I was younger.

[@jkk244]

So crazy they named it “Chicago” as the last Citroen sold in the US was like in 1973.

[@rimmersbryggeri]

It was probably on the theme of the Golf Manhattan.

[@alansimpson835]

I always remember being staggered by how quickly AXs could accelerate with such small engines. I think the 1.1 got to 60 in less than 11 seconds which was impressive. Great recipe of light car with minimal add ons making them very chuckable. Love a sunroof and a tape player too They used to be really good at doing special editions with great insurance deals too so young buyers loved them.

[@andrej7509]

Faster than bmw 316

[@darrenwilson8042]

One of my favourite all time cars was my white AX GT. Fast, frugal and fun.

[@ciartdsfa4899]

Few friends had fast ax gt's,great fun driving things 💯👍

[@luceya1985]

Watching this from Chicago, IL! Love it - thanks for the great review!

[@chucku00]

The cassettes, the radio and the Feu Orange air freshener give the 80's vibe.

[@GazzaView123]

" Making it look like it's just come out of the showroom" Well, he's succeeded in doing that, that's for sure! Kudos on another great review, Steph!

[@idriveaclassic]

Thanks Edd! Check out the Visa if you haven’t watched it already, another one of Colin’s amazing cars

[@gregchambers943]

I've owned mine for 20 years! Started life as a 1 litre and has evolved over the years and now has a vts saxo engine. Great handling, light and faster than people expect! So much fun😁 getting pretty rare now too. That Chicago looks really tidy😎👍 super rare!

[@garrylawless3550]

Fantastic video, and an amazing example. I used to have a Citroen AX Debut, 1993 K reg, 954cc. I loved it, I drove all over the UK in it, and it never felt under powered. I still miss it.👍🏻

[@MGBetts1]

Colin's done a fantastic job restoring this - talk about going to town! 👍🏻

[@michaeld7409]

Happy memories! Back in 97 i inherited a phase 1 AX 11 TRE in white with beige interior. I always loved how quick i could corner enjoying a comfy ride at the same time. And cheap to run! Sadly i sold it in 2002. Still miss it.

[@Gerk8]

Thanks for the ride Steph. What a fun little car.

[@kayemcnab8045]

I had a 1991 AX Chicago. Happy days!

[@teleroylichtenstein]

After more than 30 years, this little Citroen I like even more. Aesthetically, the style appears clean and rather balanced. Nice car!

[@IngramCars]

In 1990 at the tender age of 20, I bought a brand new black Citroen AX GT, just up the road from yours in Eastbourne. Dashboard was like those trays you get in a packet of Teatime biscuits, but it was amazing to drive. Loved that car!

[@eddiebrock118]

I like these little gems. Thanks Steph you're a star for in my books. Keep up the great content.

[@idriveaclassic]

Aww thanks Eddie x

[@AntoineO480]

My first car was G-reg Citroen AX Chicago. Sadly rust together with the purchase of a Volvo 480ES led to me scrapping the Citroen. What an amazing job the owner has done of restoring this one. I really enjoyed this video - thanks for making it!

[@fruitychink]

My Dad had an AX when he retired and loved it . It was a conventional car but still had some quirks which I liked especially its light weight . Great video as always !

[@alansharp1528]

Thanks Steph for another really watchable review. Feels just like i have had a drive myself, even sat in my armchair at home. Well done Colin for saving another great Citroen from the car graveyard.

[@bondbug73]

Another awesome restoration by Colin. Brought back memories of my 1992 AX GTi (99-06 owned). Period cassette storage with cassette's is something I never did sadly.

[@darranyoung6077]

Great vid, reminds me of my Dad's ZX. Memories of those Traffic light air fresheners, can almost smell it 😉

[@idriveaclassic]

Oh I know! It was a real flashback

[@mattroo6971]

Great car, I owned a AX 1.4 TRD Tecnic diesel. 5 doors with sunroof velours seats, central doorlocks, bronze coloured electric windows and 4 head cushions. The engine was great 389.000km and also extremly economical. I drove every month from Munich to Holland without any problems. Good memories and thanks IDRIVEACLASSIC;-)

[@briandavis6984]

Another retro classic shown in such detail as always . Brilliant

[@Ricketik65]

That looks great! Still miss my first AX. Got rear-ended while standing at a traffic light, shortening an already very short car.

[@ipTimezone]

I had earlier a Citroen AX Sport with 95 PS . Fast like a Rocket,so much fun !!!

[@conkerman01]

Fabulous. I love it when people spend a bunch of time, effort and money on cars like these. Just because they like them . Small Citroen's are cracking.

[@seancooke4127]

I owned Peugeots at the time. The earlier 1.1 in the 205 was the ex Simca engine like the Visa. Then I had this much smoother XU 1.1 in a 106 and a facelift 205. My Peugeots all drove well but my 3 brothers all had AXs with the same engine and they had much sharper handling and steering. AXs also had a talent for being quite capable over long distances for a car so small and light. The facelift AX really did bring the AX back up to date without major changes. This Chicago really suited you Steph. Thanks a lot.

[@chrisoncars4879]

Another great video Steph. My first car was an AX in 2004, a 1991 AX 1.0 Debut - as basic as they came! But, first cars always hold special memories and I really enjoyed that car.

[@colinwatson8688]

Hi Steph as always another good review on this AX as well as Last weeks Visa. What a nice guy the owner Colin is of both of these vehicles really good hearing him give a detailed report of each vehicle and the restoration work he took on he appears a great guy with a good choice of vehicles I also like Citroen and have had 6 variants over the years of driving.

[@dougfurniss734]

I had one of these for a while, mine was only a 1 litre splash model, I found it quite comfy and practical but very underpowered. Interesting video, keep up the good work 👍

[@doctorzaius4084]

Wow I never would have guessed this was a respray - looks fantastic and extremely original!!

[@marcusjahnke9287]

Bought a fairly new TRS when I got my first real job in 1990. Great little car. Thank’s for an excellent review.

[@PGPyramid1]

My sister had one of these. We called it the Catapult because it set off like it had been fired from a slingshot but soon ran out of steam and would shudder to a halt. After several months of regular repairs she finally saw the light and got a proper car.

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

Loved this video Steph, brings back memories of my auntie having 2 AX's when I was a kid.

[@idriveaclassic]

Thanks for watching ❤️

[@chrispenn715]

Another lovely old car test! We had an AX11RE in the early 90s - I agree with your review Steph - ours was fast and economical with a decent ride - ours was rather noisy though. We replaced it with a Saxo in 1996. Great to see one in such good nick!

[@Sam-wh4of]

Hi Steph, another fantastic review! You've got a natural talent hun! Hope you're well and I hope to see you next year again for Festival of the Unexceptional! ❤

[@Jay-B1750]

We had an AX Spot when we went to Italy one year, great little cars

[@ewanmcgregor146]

I love that horn! It would be horrible on a bigger car, but it seems to match the fun, happy & zippy vibe that the AX Chicago gives out!

[@misterthegeoff9767]

I am amazed this is still on the road. My parents had 3 Citroen AX's when I was a kid and all 3 were falling to pieces within a year of purchase. Great cars, really good value but built to be disposable. My enduring memory of all 3 cars was having to lift up the sagging doors just to get them to close and the boot failing to open and shut properly because the hinges bolt straight into the glass an the holes would stretch.

[@drpaulcampbell188]

The red seat belts are also used in my Peugeot 106. I do like the look of the AX, i owned one years ago, a 1.1 RE i think and was really nice to drive with the quirky door handles too. Great video as always

[@sagep6875]

I have a time warp condition Chicago , been parked in a garage since 1996 with 21000 miles on the clock

[@malcolmscott4150]

We got the AX 1.4 GT in Australia for a couple of years - not many sold and very hard to find now unfortunately

[@Howlingd0g]

Lovely little car, and yes, it has been too long since I've seen one around! I used to work with someone who had one of these in racing green, and he absolutely swore by it. If I found one of these up for sale, I think I'd be very very tempted indeed!

[@Howlingd0g]

Also, Tates Citroën in Portslade? I used to live just up the road from there. Wow, talk about a nostalgia trip!

[@idriveaclassic]

Honestly I could recommend. They’re decent cars.

[@Howlingd0g]

@@idriveaclassic Most hot hatches from this time are, it's a real golden era! I would absolutely love to own the Proton Tiara variant of this, to go alongside my Saga Aeroback. That would be a treat!

[@stewartellinson8846]

You didn't notice the door pockets - perfectly sized for a bottle of wine each for driver and passenger and also that neat little rectangular cubby hole near the driver's side mirror, just the place to put your Gauloise or Gitanes..... The french know how to build in the features that drivers want!

[@idriveaclassic]

I did, I commented on it ☺️

[@stewartellinson8846]

@@idriveaclassic How did I miss that? Sorry. Ah well, chin chin!!

[@TheUphillracer]

Nice video Steph. Keep up the high standards that you have achieved. Excellent little car, haven’t seen one on the road for quite some time. Looking forward to your next edition.

[@idriveaclassic]

Thank you ever so much!

[@chrisbury4635]

That is a minter ! After watching your video on the AX and talking about them being produced in Malaysia it reminded me of when a couple guys went over to Malaysia in the 90’s, makes sense now ! I preferred to drive LHD Citroën’s back in the day because of original design and the brakes were much better too ! I only ever owned one AX and it was a 1987 LHD 1.0 E Mk1 from Nice (France) I’ve still got the french certificate from the screen and handbook because it was scrapped in the Netherlands back in 2000-2003 when I worked for Citroën over there 😊

[@RetroDrivers]

Those seats are also in the AX Image but they're still pretty special. Great vid' !

[@paulleighton8522]

More you than in months? Then definitely be yourself on camera Steph. This was a lot of fun to watch!

[@sniff6058]

citroen is a pretty cool and fun car to drive! the reviews are really good btw. keep it up!

[@MrMarkeboy1234]

I had a beautiful AX GT with aftermarket alloys and a massive custom exhaust back in the 90s.

[@MattysCars]

One of my favorites. The only reason I bought a Saxo was because I couldn't get an AX

[@julienbee3467]

Which Ax would you have bought ?

[@MattysCars]

@@julienbee3467 I’d go for any AX if it was close enough to where I live as long as it wasn’t a complete dog. The diesels are even tempting as they’re pretty solid and run forever

[@julienbee3467]

@@MattysCars I would go for 1.1, 1.4 or 1.4 diesel

[@leandro23_]

@@julienbee3467 1.4d NO ! Is a bad engine. Better 1.1 or 1.4

[@tjfSIM]

That’s a lovely example! I can’t remember the last time I saw an AX, but it was a long time ago. At the time I think special editions were a clever way for manufacturers to shift more of the lower spec models - you’d get lots of custom trim and cosmetic details, but equipment levels and mechanics were usually pretty basic. Nevertheless they were good fun and quirky!

[@Maddpunx]

Lovely little car complete with a Feu Orange 🙂 great video.

[@idriveaclassic]

Thanks so much!

[@Vespertinen]

Saw a 1990 14 TRD just 2 days ago. Still looked good and ran perfectly :)

[@laurentherjean9165]

The TRD was renamed DTR in the UK (and possibly other English-speaking countries) ... for an obvious reason!

[@orderofmagnitude-TPATP]

My first car was an AX 'Memphis' - for a 1.1 shockingly quick (probably due to weight. I could just about lift the wheel off the floor at the rear!)...J reg. J262 GAM - However - i tried racing a mk1 golf gti....er....couldn't cut the corner and rolled it! - the year was 2000. Gotta say - never seen a 'chicago'.... the axgt was something i always wanted as not only was it quicker but the dubious leaning handling and squared off arch was gone. My ax Memphis had a black dash...

[@simonhodgetts6530]

Delightful! Nearly bought one (Salsa LE though) for my first car, but the dealer wouldn’t lower the price enough......so I bought a R5 instead.......

[@stepheng8779]

Speaking from experience, sometimes looking back can be through rose tinted specs. We replaced our Fiesta with an AX Chicago, it was a poor decision, woefully unreliable with terrible build quality like a generation before. Oops, busy reminiscing and forgot to say thanks for the video, top job as usual, you're right about the gearbox always was a pudding bowl 😂 Colin's done a wonderful job restoring that, brilliant work 👍

[@michaeltutty1540]

Very interesting indeed. Love seeing the European cars we did not get this side of the pond.

[@KTJohnsonkidThunder]

If I had the money, I would totally import this car. Great video.

[@idriveaclassic]

It’s so good isn’t it

[@julienbee3467]

Import it where ?

[@prieten49]

As someone who once lived in Chicago, I have to scratch my head as to why this car was called a Chicago Edition. Yes, I did see the decal, but it certainly was never sold in Chicago. Did it have a machine gun in the glove compartment? When you drove the car with the windows open, was it "windy?" Oh well, the Dutch bicycle company Azor once sold a classic Dutch style bicycle with the name "Oklahoma." Those marketing types think in mysterious ways.

[@xanpagebrown]

10:25 gotta love the twin-cam shout out. love his channel

[@leesnow8470]

I had a 1996 1.0litre AX Dimension as my first car back in 2004. It was a great car and I enjoyed driving it. Was a lot quicker than most people expected. Wouldn’t hesitate to have another one for a cheap, tech free runabout

[@middleagedman6290]

Another great video Steph and a very rare survivor in great condition 👍

[@stewartturner3181]

First new car I bought in 1988 teal blue 3dr 10RE . Replaced it with a red 5dr 11TGE drove to Scotland in that one . Happy memories 😀

[@Stevieweevietv]

Cute little car. I do love Citroens. Interior looks great especially those seats. And I love the steering wheel (I have an almost hubnut wiper- like obsession with steering wheels 🤣) Great video Steph 👍

[@Alex_Fella]

I have a K Reg 1993 AX 1.1 White Echo 5 door. It's my first car and it's brlliant! extremely comfortable and very nippy 😀 I've seen Colin's AX & Visa in person at the GSA Rally, earlier this year. There are some photos of my car on the Citroen Net website.

[@idriveaclassic]

Ah thank you! I’ll check it out

[@stephanmurphy909]

Lovely car it's like the 106 my sister have 2 of them as a car valeting business owner when I started I often worked on them nice to see great chanell

[@Pfirtzer]

AX is a very reliable car, the tailgate is not made of metal but made of pvc, plastic.Lightweight and quite spicy to drive.

[@oscillatine]

The car is in such a good condition, nice to see it !

[@zebedep]

Another great video! Thanks, Steph :)

[@idriveaclassic]

Thank you!

[@hackdaniels7253]

We had an AX 10E for a while. It was fine - except it used to get through ignition modules like no-one's business, usually at the least convenient moments. Probably the last car I owned with a carburettor - used to pink really badly when climbing hills. It was also the last car I owned with only four forward gears. Also - not the car's fault - but when someone smashed the rear windscreen, the tailgate fell off, breaking the lock - so when we had the window replaced, we also needed a new catch.

[@DeGlennen]

Always liked the AX, seemed like a fun runabout. I've recently bought the cousin/ competitor from the AX, the Peugeot 205. Also with the 1.1TU engine and the 5-speed gearbox. (Very recognisable engine note on the TU engines) You can clearly see both cars were developped around the same time, with the same sort of customer / driver to mind. Quite a few interior pieces in the AX are PSA parts bin items apparently. (Inner doorhandles, armrest on the doors, window winders, sigaret lighter, wing mirror adjusters to name a few)

[@1Haloninja]

Oh that breaks my heart, only 2? My first car was the AX 11 TGE Chicago on an H plate with 5 doors.

[@replevideo6096]

I had a Citroen AX 1.5L diesel. I bought it from an old couple who had intended to keep it until they got too old to drive, so it had been very well maintained. However their daughter gave them her old car, a 4 year old Fiesta, so they decided to sell it for £200. When I went to collect it, despite my eagerness to pay £200, they insisted on taking only £150 for it. I owned it for 4 years and it passed every MOT, and did 63 mpg, all in city traffic. One MOT tester remarked on how rust free it was, and said he had never seen one like that before. I think it was 16 years old when I bought it. The only thing was, it should have had a health warning on the exhaust pipe. The only replacement was a new battery.

[@gryfandjane]

Another fascinating episode! The AX was certainly more conventional than the Visa, wasn’t it? I was expecting control pods and such, but no...

[@bcfairlie1]

A brilliant little car. We got very limited numbers here in New Zealand.

[@grayfool]

It's a real shame Peugeot watered down the Citroën design flair. I know it was all about making more money but the world lost out. At least we still got the BX and XM. Well done to Colin for saving these cars and Good jod presenting them Steph. Thanks.

[@lrochfort]

That's remarkable. I'd have said it was a carefully looked after one-owner car. Recreating the graphics etc is particularly dedicated

[@rocketsock4297]

🤗Haven't seen such an nice and pristine *Citroen AX* since... well NEVER! I guess when i was born they already were replaced by new Twingos and bubble shaped Corsas.

[@idriveaclassic]

I haven’t either!

[@julienbee3467]

Yes they were being replaced by Twingo, 106, Ka and Corsa

[@joewilson941]

Steph! You mention early on about the Ax being Citroëns first supermini... Have you not seen a Citroën Ln & the second generation Lna, Peugeot 104 based but sharing the same body as the 3dr, as did the Talbot Samba, the Ln had the 602cc air-cooled flat twin & the Peugeot 4cylinder engines, the Lna had the 652cc flat twin & the 4cylinders. Very much like the visa! Great review of this Ax though!

[@cornishhh]

I've got a 1.5D. When the 1.4D was announced a standard car was driven from Calais to Barcelona in normal road conditions and it did 100mpg. Obviously they were trying hard to do this, but my car does 65 - 70mpg in general rural driving.

[@idriveaclassic]

That’s incredible!

[@cornishhh]

@@idriveaclassic As far as I'm aware this is a record which still stands 30+ years later. Back in the 1960's a Reliant three wheeler set a record in the UK of 103mpg on a road run, but the AX holds the record for a four wheeler.

[@BlameAmes]

I used to have a Chicago! though by the time i inherited it in 2001 or so the lacquer on the bonnet was't doing so great. it was a cracking little car though - it didn't need a rev counter, just thrash it and upshift when the vibrations got too much ;) Sadly it sustained terminal damage when a toyota landcruiser put a towbar through the front by reversing into me at the petrol station at Birch services on the M62, but those funky 3-lug alloys (which i think the citroen badges had fallen off) lived on on the 106 i had next :) Thanks for this video, so many memories

[@petercrosland5502]

Strange things happen at Birch services....having just joined the M62 further down, I met an elderly couple who escaped Birch using the route for getting in and were cheerfully driving down the motorway the wrong way!

[@christopherp5749]

A great car, I've got a 14 TZS (1987), a 10 "Spot" (1991), another "Spot" (1997) but swapped 1.6 16v for daily use, and a "Furio" (1994) for track use. Really light and easy to repair, cheap parts. Those seats in the Chicago were foundable on the "Image" (french serie : www.auto-pub.net/ASL/Citroen/page_Citroen_AX_Image_89-90.htm ), and also in the BX "Image" (www.auto-pub.net/ASL/Citroen/page_Citroen_BX_Image.htm) Thanks for this drive test and cheers from France, sorry for my bad English !

[@Koulis_]

I posted on your Visa report that I had one of those; well I also had a poverty spec AX 1.0 too! These were designed just before manufacturers were selling cars on safety and were deliberately designed to be light weight and small in size. The 1.0 version I had weighed in at an incredible 668 kg, something unthinkable now because of crash tests and safety. Only perhaps a Caterham or Ariel could get close to this. Of course the light weight meant that decent speed could be attained even with the smaller engines and was the reason for the amazing fuel economy. The bonnet and rear hatch were lightweight plastic and the metal was light gauge. These were very forward thinking at the time of their design because of the lightness but the fashion changed quickly and such a car could not be contemplated today. I liked my AX because it handled well and felt nippy but preferred my Visa because of it's soft ride and seats and it's eccentricity.

[@sameyers2670]

My Great aunt and uncle bought a new AX 10E 3dr in early 1990, it served them well for 13 years

[@yekateradiffin5939]

excellent video the backing track is very hypnotic

[@idriveaclassic]

It’s one of my favourites x

[@RichieRouge206]

I have that Now 15 lol! Such a cool, uncomplicated car and getting such mad economy way back then that lardy modern cars only dream to achieve. Granted new cars are safer but people also drove better back then. You don’t see Saxos these days never mind AXs. A friend of mine had one but killed it with stupid mods and the car community absolutely slaughtered him with good reason! These are fabulous little cars. Great video Steph

[@TTommmmo]

Out of all the cars ive owned my AX GT Sportiff, J186 ROK, 'The Rock' has to be one of my favourite cars. It has a deep exhaust tone, it was quick, nibble and could dfinately hold its own. Back then in 1993/4 I couldnt afford a 1.9 GTi Pug due to the high insurance. Hwr, definately no regrets with my AX, such fun! I hav a classic 1976 Triumph Stag and would love another AX GT. One will hope and pray! 😉

[@zzhughesd]

2 Chicago left. Wow. At one point AX held the record for most special editions. Never remember the Chicago. ??? Was it the AX or 106 that held record. Could be wrong. My Saxo stopped the trend of back to back specials

[@idriveaclassic]

I think it’s AX!

[@zzhughesd]

@@idriveaclassic thanks. I’m going to check. I’m feeling Sunday and Anal like that. Keep vids going and more French the better. HubNut loves his French. They seam to age in design so well. This AX looks fab. The velour. The alloys. She’s a pretty thing. Be nice on any drive.

[@santiirigoyen3334]

Great video.👍My father had a 1990 AX New York special edition 3 doors, red, engine TU 1.1 made in Vigo, Spain. Greetings from Pamplona, Spain.

[@julianowens4071]

Lovely review and really nice example

[@davidrumming4734]

I remember Citroen saying they wanted to go “more normal” around that time. That plus the fact AX was a cheap car means no odd ball design or trick suspension.