Vehicle group codes

Supplementary to these model codes for the cars themselves, Citroën also used spare parts type codes from around september 1997. They denote other kinds of spare parts, such as accessories and the parts that do not belong to a particular vehicle.

The source of this table is some internal Citroën documentation. It is translated to the best of my ability, but I have not yet figured out what APV, VPA and L.R. stands for.

Generally, you have to be aware, that many different sets of model codes have been used over time and in different contexts. They may seem quite similar, but may differ in important points. Some of these different contexts are:

• The two kinds of vehicle group codes which are the subject of this article
• The initial letters in spare parts numbers 1948-70
• Model letters in chassis numbers
• Model letters in numbers on cast parts
• Type code in French type approvals, called "code mines" or "type mines".
• Citroën type designations (guarantee code)
• Type designations in spare parts catalogues and repair manuals

Take Ami8 as an example. It was sold as Ami8 (except in Spain where it was called C8), but in the first spare parts catalogues, it has the model designation AM 3 (or in the different versions with the large rear door AMB 3, AMF 3 or AMC 3). In catalogues from the 70's, spare parts have the model prefix E (or F) and later AM (or AB). Spare parts produced for this model may start with the letters AM, AMB, AMF, AMN and AMU, and later on of course have a number in the 5 000 000 series. A complicating factor is also the fact that while Ami6 and Ami8 have separate vehicle group codes in the 70's (M resp. E), they share the prefix AM in the 80's. In French type approvals, Ami8 has the official designation ("code mines") "AM série JA" (for break versions JA and JC) and the so-called model guarantee designation is AMB, JA, JA and JC, depending on the particular model.

Other examples are the 2CV van, which originally was named AU, later AZU and AK. In the 70's it has the vehicle group code U in spare parts catalogues, but spare parts beginning with U has (normally) nothing to do with this model. Everyone knows the model AX, produced 1986-98, but the spare parts starting with AX from around 1969 have nothing to do with the AX model. AX on the other hand, has the vehicle group code ZA, but spare parts starting with ZA are typically made for the C35 van.

It is equally complicated for most of the other models. When you associate a particular code with a particilar model, it is always very important to make it clear what context and period you are talking about.

Last, but not least, it is also very important to maintain some scepticism and common sense. Take a look, for instance, at this label on an exhaust pipe:

The first thought that comes to mind, is that the model code DV must be some kind of D-model — however, it is not in any of the tables above. Is this a very rare ID ambu safari break commerciale in a military edition for exotic export markets, you wonder? You may even be confused by the fact that there are indeed spare parts numbers that start with DV. Exciting? No — this is, alas, just a dull exhaust pipe for a Visa, which should have had the model code 6VD instead of 6DV. Another specimen of this part in my stock has this label without the error:

Another example is this box with compression rings for A-models which in the heat of the moment has been labeled as CX parts:

From all this, you can derive that these spare part number labes are probably not printed directly from a computer that does a lookup in a database, but rather produced by a more manual process.