2,4 GTI Cabriolet - Chassis 05ME0804
Engine MA / Series ME - French registration
Only 5 examples manufactured

At the beginning of the 1980s, the Peugeot 504 Cabriolet was at the end of its useful life, and there would soon be no more top-of-the-range French cabriolet. A Citroën enthusiast engineer, Guy Deslandes, thought it was a pity that there was no cabriolet version in the CX range like there was for the DS. Wishing to own one, he contacted the coachbuilders Chapron and Heuliez to have one made. But the estimate presented by Chapron was far too high, while Heuliez indicated that it was unable to make a cabriolet on the basis of a CX.
He therefore decided to make the project himself, starting from the profiles of the previous Citroën-based cabriolets and keeping the style and lines of the CX saloon. The basic model for this transformation was chosen from the top of the range: the CX 2400 GTI. The general lines of the CX sedan are respected in this transformation, the design includes the horizontal lines of the upper doors of the CX. The rear is cut into a descending shape reminiscent of the DS cabriolets but slightly less steep.
The prototype was ready in April 1983, and was the only one entirely made of sheet metal, the other models having a fibreglass rear end! Mr Deslandes wanted to produce a small series of his cabriolets on a CX base, but the bad agreement with Citroën decided otherwise.

To facilitate access to the rear seats, the length of the doors was increased by 11 cm, as on the DS cabriolet, which necessitated the relocation of the middle foot and the manufacture of specific side windows which were made with the help of Saint Gobain (automotive approved glass). In the end, only 4 examples were made (in addition to the 83 prototype), which makes this a truly rare Citroën.
At the 1984 Geneva Motor Show, the CX Orphée was only visible from the afternoon of the second day, and Citroën's decision makers could only see it through the press kit. Having had time to prepare its presentation, it was present from the start at the 1984 Paris Motor Show in a pearly white livery with red upholstery.
The car we are offering is in beautiful condition, both mechanically and aesthetically. A great opportunity to drive something different, in an ultra rare car, as only 5 examples were produced. It may represent the end of Citroën's luxury convertibles and the end of an era, when it was still possible for an enthusiast to get along with a large group and present his creation on their stand.