1970 Citroen M35

Citroën can be credited with some of the automotive world's most daring high-wire acts. The company was forever experimenting with new technologies, and daring to incorporate them into its mass-production cars--front-wheel drive, hydropneumatic suspension, and unit-body construction being some of the ideas pioneered at the

Quai de Javel.

When NSU's Felix Wankel developed an engine that used spinning rotors, rather than reciprocating pistons, to make power, Citroën was naturally interested. The two carmakers embarked on a joint venture called Comotor to do research and development work.

The first four-wheeled fruit of this enterprise was the experimental M35 coupe, the test bed for a 497.5-cc single-rotor engine that produced 49 horsepower at 5,500 rpm. The car was based on the Ami 8, a small four-door sedan or wagon powered by an air-cooled flat twin. Not satisfied with replacing the powerplant, the engineers also installed the same kind of hydropneumatic suspension system that had made its DS and ID the world's best-riding cars.

The fastback body of the M35 shared little with the Ami 8, aside from the front fenders. The face had a family resemblance to the Ami's, with its melting-brie hoodline, but from the A-pillars back, the M35 was like no other Citroën. The coupe rode on a 94.5-inch wheelbase, and measured 159.5 inches, bumper to bumper.

Although coachbuilder Heuliez had been hired to construct 500 bodies, production amounted to just 267, spread out between 1969 and 1971. All were painted pearl grey but for the bright blue prototype, and each wore its serial number prominently on its front fenders.

To put their new design into real-world testing, Citroën offered the car to carefully chosen customers who could be relied upon to rack up the miles. The little fastback was priced at 14,120 francs, putting it between the GS Club and the D Special, and buyers were offered a two-year engine warranty and a quick-response plan for technical support.

When the testing period was over, Citroën offered owners a generous trade-in on a new car, which most M35 owners took up. The returned cars were scrapped, leaving about 60 in private hands. The experiment was deemed enough of a success to green-light the production GS Birotor, a larger car with a two-rotor engine. However, high fuel and oil consumption, reliability problems and demand blunted by rising gasoline prices killed that project after 873 had been built.

The lone M35 known to be in the United States is owned by the Lane Motor Museum of Nashville, Tennessee. Be sure to check with the museum to make sure it's on display before planning your trip.