sweet wallflower
Citroën has put down some legendary models in the last century that almost everyone worldwide knows. The LN/LNA is not part of this. The somewhat forgotten little one is almost completely extinct in the Netherlands, but this specimen has recently been added and is looking for an owner!
Citroën icons such as the DS, 2CV and SM really need no introduction, but with the LNA you can probably use a refresher. There is a chance that you will still recognize it, but not much more than a dim light will come on. The Citroën LN was a bit of an afterthought, because it came on the market in 1976 as a species rebadge of the Peugeot 104 already published in 1972. The shortened three-door version of the 104, to be precise. The 104 was also available as a four- and later a five-door, but the Citroën LN only as a three-door. The LN received, among other things, round headlights as a distinguishing element, but the biggest difference was under the hood. Initially, Citroën spooned in the 602 cc two-cylinder boxer engine of the 2CV. The Peugeot 104 was only available with four-cylinder engines.
The also simpler version of the Citroën brother of the 104 had to appeal to buyers who shopped with a smaller purse. In order to offer something more, Citroën pushed the LNA forward in 1978 as the successor to the LN. That was essentially an LN with a slightly larger engine, namely the 652 cc two-cylinder boxer that was also in the Visa introduced that year. One with electronic ignition moreover, with which the LNA had 36 hp power at its disposal instead of the 32 hp of the LN.
Contrary to popular belief, an LNA does not always look clearly different from an LN. It was not until 1982 that the LNA received a facelift that included thicker bumpers and the facelift taillights of the Peugeot 104, which made the distinction with the LN clearer. The LNA we see here dates from just before that facelift. In this ‘In the Wild’ from 2016 you see two LNAs, one from before and one from after the facelift. The newer of the two also has the 1.1 four-cylinder that was added to the range in 1982.
The Citroën LNA that we have fished out of the AutoWeek second-hand offer is, as said, from before the facelift and therefore also has the two-cylinder in its nose. This makes it sound nice and characteristic like a 2CV. An LNA only drives a lot more modern than an Ugly Duck and shifting here is simply done with a gear stick sticking out of the floor. With its hatchback lid, the LNA is also more practical and it is of course also more spacious than a 2CV. Furthermore, you really have to be a lover of the LNA to see its added value, but the price of an LNA still helps it on the way to a potential buyer. After all, with €2,350 you lose a lot less than for an average 2CV. However, it should be noted that this copy, freshly taken from France, clearly needs some cosmetic attention on a number of points. The car seems hard and technically there can’t be anything wrong with it. It also has a fresh MOT that is valid until 2027 (!).
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– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl