Dating the Citroen

Robin Dyke has fed the information derived from the various places in the Citroen's engine (see blog entry dated Monday, February 12) into his database and sent me the following information:

• The 11CL means a Light 15 from Slough and the 6 indicates something like a minor change, e.g. the position of a brake pedal.
• The chassis number 9/532120 gives a probable build date of Friday 23rd April 1954. He said that he can not name the exact day, but there is a margin of about 10 working days. I think that is pretty close!!
• The BPVS mean Berline (Saloon), Petite Voiture, Sport (ie Light 15). Unfortunately it was not possible for us to read the coque number that follows on this, but as soon as the plaque has been cleaned up, I will send him the number.
• He thinks that from the photo, that the engine number is probably AN 18862,
  and it looks like a French "1" and he agrees that the 6 looks a bit indistinct.
• The 4MPVB78 (it's a B not an 8 as i initially thought) means the car is a 4 cylinder Moteur, Petite Voiture, Bore 78 mm.