Once a staple of any McDonald’s car park (or nearly any stretch of hedgerow!), the Citroen Saxo is becoming a rarer sight these days. I purchased this 1997 pre-facelift MK1 VTR back in 2023, quite a rough example, saved from being broken for spares.
As a child in the 00s, these seemed to be everywhere – most with varying amounts of badly applied modifications!
Now, only around 10 VTR models from 1997 are taxed and on the road. This has the 1.6 8v TU engine, it’s simple to work on, parts are cheap and plentiful, and it’s a hoot to drive. I do believe they’re one of the last of the ”old school’” hot hatches, before safety and emissions killed the fun.
It’s currently undergoing extensive restoration work by me due to tin worm, but I’m hoping to have it back on the road in 2027 for its 30th birthday.
