Passport to success? The Citroën Visa Story

Otto von Bismarck, the man who oversaw the unification of Germany in the late 19th century called politics “the art of the possible”. He’s saying that you might have grand lofty dreams, but you have to go with what’s actually possible to achieve. I’d argue that applies to many things in life, including car design. There’s always a compromise with a limited budget and limited time.That was never more true than with the Citroën Visa. Borne out of Citroën’s bankruptcy in the mid-1970s it was a modern car that was still clearly a Citroën, with all its innovative features. But just how did they produce such a competent car in such a short time?

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[BigCar]

The Renault 21 also had the transverse/longitudinal engine layout.
"VD" in English refers to Venereal Disease, a sexually transmitted disease.

[TL]

the existence of the citroen visa and the austin maestro also implies a theoretical car model named mastercard or amex

[JeffKing]

I’m strangely fascinated by the European cars of that era, particularly the ones that never made it to North America.

Almost like looking into an alternate universe.

Thanks Andy!

[nicolaebreaban]

I remember being driven in an Oltcit as a kid in Romania in the early 90s. The inside looked like it was from the future.

[notroll]

My first car was a 1986 Visa RE 11 Leader. I bought it because I got an almost new one for 40% below its humble new price - and it was much better than any Polo, Corsa, Fiesta or 205 I could have got for that price.
It soon grew on me - it was very roomy for its class, had an excellent suspension and its small Peugeot derived 4 cylinder engine was smooth and frugal.
And it was my first car - which would have given any car a special place in my heart...

[DominatorLegend]

The C15 has gone as far as to attain meme status here in Spain. It's regarded as absolutely indestructible, proven by the fact there's still LOADS of them being driven around, some with so much tear and wear you'd think they've been to a war zone.

[zanglang]

In early 90s, my father started to work with a friend in a newly established business, after the regime change in Romania. That friend encouraged my dad to get the driving license, and sine he couldn't yet afford buying a car, this great friend borrowed my dad, an Oltcit 12 TRS. At the time it was the most powerful passenger car built in Romania. My old man drove it for almost two years, and I started to learn how to drive, at the wheel of this car, in parking lots, and on remote village agriculture roads, which were not public roads. I was just fascinated by that little car.

[jaimelane]

I had a 1987 Visa Leader 1.7 diesel some years ago, anyone who got in it said how comfortable it was! Loved that car but traded it for a last of line 2cv, which I still have today

[chris-townson]

The Citroen AX was my first car and very capable it was too. Interesting to see many of the characteristics from the Visa were carried over.

[chrispenn]

That Olcit interior around 10.43 minutes in is superb! Love it!!!

[Zaphodschannel]

In 1992 I got my first car. A 3rd hand VISA diesel, from the local Citroën dealer. I had it for just short of 10 years! Finally selling it for £250 to someone who wanted spares for there van. I still choose Peugeot diesel engines to this day because of how long that little car lasted me. Can't say I loved that car but it definitely earned my respect after years of getting me through 2 floods and countless heavy snow falls that had stopped bigger salons buy the road side.

[bolttracks]

My mom had one of these in the mid 90s. The dashboard was so incredibly stylish for a budget car!

[hmrkovic]

My family had one in the 80's, so i bought myself one few years ago. Even today it's a great little car. To my surprise it behaves excellent on highways, absorbs bumps very well and have great stability at high speed.Fuel economy is also ok, even for "powerful" 1.1 engine.

[mrdunns]

We owned a Y reg (82-83) Visa 1124 for 4 years. It only let us down once, on a trip down the A9, we lost all drive. RAC recovery got us home and I found the problem. A small splined connecter in the gearbox had stripped and no drive from engine to gearbox. We had a towbar fitted and regularly pulled a small box trailer for family holidays to Wester Ross. It was very comfortable, soft seats and the total package of suspension compliance with Michelin tyres meant an easy ride for everyone.The (then) unusual driver controls for lights and indicators soon became intuitive and one of the best ventilation systems ever. We could demist the front screen, have warm toes and through the front vents still have fresh air in our faces, something we miss. Now, all we get is blended through every vent.

[tillyfoxtrotter]

The Visa GTi was an utter hoot, light and handled like a well sprung go kart.

Loved my time with one.

[bohenriksson]

Oh please Mr Big Car, now do one on the GS! Had 74 model, the most amazing car ever ❤😊!

[sinovelo]

A little to add: the Visa Bicylinder had a nicely working heating system although air cooled. There were special editions with an all blue interior, dashboard, steering wheel and controls included. And very rare: the Visa 'Chausson' with altered boot lid. The space between the rear lights was cut out for easier loading and the boot lid was given an extension. Oh, and not to forget: the various Romahome camper vans based on the C15. Somewhere on Youtube there is a nice home made 'Visa Electrique'.

[persjofors]

I had a Visa GT way back when. Great car. Took me on my wife all around Europe for several years. It looked slightly different than the more pedestrian versions. The dash controls worked very well. Never had a single problem with it.

[MRD]

I heard the story that after the purchase of Citroen by Peugeot, the Visa project was abandoned. Luck made the contract with Romania appear and so the project was revived in the form of Oltcit with two doors. Thus, the Axel version with four doors was also maintained.

[HWEder]

Enjoyed the video. I had a Visa II in the 80s with the 1124 engine. It was bright 'jeunesse' (yellow/green) and was a great practical car for us as a young family at the time. The control pod set up was very easy to use and it was a good drive even when fully laden on longer distances. The only downside I found was maintenance when trying to access different areas in the engine bay. There were two Visa's at The Festival of The Unexceptional this year, one 1124 with the control pod and one 1360 with traditional controls. Very rare cars today.