Highlights
• Full restoration to the highest standard
• Rare Parisian Taxi, very few left
• Classic French transport from yesteryear
The Background
The B12 had a 10hp powered engine and was a development of the B10, Andre Citroen launched a fleet of special-bodied B12’s which were then built as Paris Taxis.
The Type B12 Landaulet Parisian Taxi is an extremely rare vehicle, very few remain and this particular car was found in a barn on the outskirts of Paris. The car was then imported and completed its full restoration circa 2018. This car has an extensive history file and invoices.
The operating taxi meter and faux wicker paintwork highlight the level of care and attention that has gone in to making this worthy of any collection. This car is also registered with the DVLA as an historic vehicle.
The History
Purchased in 1997 by Maurice Bailey after finding the car in a barn in a sorry state he decided to continue his love affairs of the French marque by doing a full restoration on the vehicle. His extensive knowledge and research is shown in full with a host of catalogues, documents and historic photos of the Citroen B12.
He even had a set of decals commissioned to replicate the wicker effect that would have been on the taxi originally, sadly Maurice based away before completing the full restoration and Martin DeLittle took over the final stages around 2017.
He even had a set of decals commissioned to replicate the wicker effect that would have been on the taxi originally, sadly Maurice based away before completing the full restoration and Martin DeLittle took over the final stages around 2017.
The Paperwork
The paperwork is extensive for this vehicle, Martin set about restoring this car to its former condition and no expense was spared, being a Citroen enthusiast the attention to detail is stunning and the box of paperwork backs up his knowledge in sourcing the right materials and parts to make this B12 one of the finest examples out there.
Paperwork not only shows everything purchased for the restoration but copies of postcards, photographs and a manual showcasing the Citroen B12 taxi. The current owner has done less that twenty miles in the car since August 2019 where the car has been in storage.
Maurice Bailey who covered the bulk of the restoration was a font of knowledge on the legendary French marque and his story is told in detail about how he sourced various parts and decals for the build among the papers. Also enclosed is a letter of authenticity about the car's status from Citroen.
The Interior
As you would expect from the raft of paperwork and time spent in sourcing the materials to match the car to its original state this B12 is immaculate throughout.
The interior carpets, leather seat facings, trims and hood are in perfect condition. The fit of the instruments, door handles and panels are fault free and the hood opens and closes with ease.
The interior carpets, leather seat facings, trims and hood are in perfect condition. The fit of the instruments, door handles and panels are fault free and the hood opens and closes with ease.
The taxi meter is also operational, there is nothing that we can fault on the meticulous build of this car and the photographs highlight the quality of this restoration.
The Exterior
The coachwork is as fresh as when it was painted in April 2001, the bill of sale for this is in with the paperwork and came to £2,000.00. The car is running on Michelin 12x45 tyres which have had very little use, and the spare is new. All of the chrome, hinges, hood and tread plates have no marks on at all.
The car completed its full restoration in 2018 and has done very little mileage since then, hence why the car is in immaculate condition throughout.
The Mechanics
The restoration is throughout on this vehicle and the car has been brought back to the highest standard possible with the engine, underneath the louvred bonnet the mechanics are as expected like new, the paperwork backs up the rebuild including bills for tyres, new radiator and all of the other areas required to make this Citroen as perfect as it could be.
Since August 2019 the car has done less that 20 miles, the current owners purchased the car in February 2019 and the car was intended as art of there wedding car fleet, with restrictions in early 2020 the car has just been in storage and is now ready to be passed on to a new home.
The Appeal
This French Parisian Taxi is a part of history now, very few remain and this restoration was a love affair of the previous owners, painstaking research went in to the build and sourcing various parts to produce this stunning example.
Cars like this don’t come around very often, so whether you fancy driving around in something characterful and fun, or using it as a car for events and shows we can’t think of a better way to travel.
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