The Citroën Ami 6 was Bertoni’s artistic hole filler

The friendly sounding Ami comes from the project name MI, for Modèle Intermediaire. Loosely translated: intermediate model, in accordance with the role of the car in the Citroën range, which since 1955 has shown a gap between the dirt-cheap 2CV on the one hand and the expensive DS on the other. Between those extremes, a conventional model would have the same impact as a soggy peanut butter sandwich between a bouillabaisse and a crème brûlée. That is why Bertoni decided not to walk elephant trails with the Ami, but to explore new terrain. He was only bound by the technical principles of the 2CV, which nevertheless underwent an impressive transformation under his rule. That started with the rectangular headlights – a revolution in the early 1960s – and a hood that, like the front fenders, sought its way from the windscreen to the asphalt like a slab of melted cheese. The flanks were almost as smooth as on the DS, while the rear track was, analogous to that model, a lot narrower than the front.

The great asset of the Ami was, of course, its slanting rear window, which Ford already applied to the Anglia two years earlier. A brave decision by Bertoni, whose car would only get better. Because the front and rear windows leaned back equally, the Ami seemed quick even when stationary; it was as if the windows as a whole had been pushed back under the influence of the wind. Furthermore, there were practical advantages to the special design, such as the generous headroom in the rear, a large boot lid and a rear window that remained dry in the rain. Still, not everyone liked that crazy Ami. Just as good friends, Cher Citroën, but can’t you turn it into a station wagon? That was certainly possible, after which it turned out that the Ami 6 Break would even overtake the four-door original in popularity. And that in about half the time allotted to the model series until 1969. So nice, such a crazy friend. As long as he acts a little normal.